Survey costs
What should you tell the firm about annexes and distance before you accept a survey quote?
Tell them the floor area if you know it, the number of outbuildings, whether there is a separate annex or a swimming pool, and where the house is. Those facts change the time and the travel. A quote given on “three-bed semi” that turns out to be a semi plus a cottage in the garden is a quote for the wrong job.
Last reviewed 24 October 2026. Written for buyers in England and Wales unless this answer says otherwise. No named surveyor has signed this page. It is general guidance, not a report on your house, and not legal advice.
What is the fuller explanation?
RICS levels describe the inspection, not a price for every annex. The Level 3 description includes permanent outbuildings in the inspection. If the firm has not been told they exist, the report or the fee will have to be put right later. Pools and leisure kit are often outside a standard inspection. Say if you have them so the exclusion is conscious.
Distance matters for the diary as well as the petrol. A firm two hours away may be the right specialist and still cost more. Ask. Do not hide the annex to keep the fee down and then complain the annex was not inspected. Honesty at quote stage is the whole of this question.
What should you ask your surveyor?
- What have you assumed this property includes?
- How does an annex or a large outbuilding change the fee and the inspection?
- What will you exclude unless we add it now?
What are the typical next steps?
- Send the listing, including the annex and the outbuildings, with the enquiry.
- Ask for a revised quote if you discover more buildings before the day.
- Do not expect a pool to be tested as part of the building survey.
Costs vary with the building and with who you instruct. Where this page does not cite a published figure, ask the surveyor, a relevant specialist, or your solicitor for a written quote. Do not treat a forum average as the price.
Also asked about this
Is a garage always included?
A normal garage often is. A separate habitable annexe may be priced differently. Ask. Do not assume.
Does a long drive count as distance?
The address does. Tell them the access if a van cannot reach the door. Missed access is how visits fail.