Choosing a survey level
If you want the surveyor to come back after a repair, is that included in the first fee?
Usually no. The first fee is for the inspection and the report described in the terms. A return visit to see whether a repair was done is a new instruction unless the quote says otherwise. Ask before you promise the seller that “the surveyor will sign it off for free”.
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 does not publish a national price for a reinspection, just as it does not publish one national Level 2 fee. Firms price a short visit differently from a full report. Some will comment by photograph. A photograph is not the same as a return, and neither is a guarantee that the hidden cause was repaired. A repointed crack is the example: the tidy mortar does not prove movement has stopped.
Put the reinspection terms in writing if a price reduction depends on the seller doing the work before completion. Say who instructs the surveyor, who pays, and what “satisfactory” will mean. Your solicitor should see that arrangement. A verbal promise on the doorstep is how the second fee becomes a surprise.
What should you ask your surveyor?
- Is a return visit included, or would it be quoted separately?
- What could you confirm from photographs, and what would you still need to see?
- What wording should we avoid promising the seller?
What are the typical next steps?
- Ask the firm for a reinspection price before you rely on one.
- If the seller will do the work, agree who pays for the second look.
- Do not describe a photo as a sign-off the surveyor has not offered.
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
Does a warranty inspection replace your surveyor’s return?
It answers the warranty’s questions. It is not your surveyor’s opinion unless you instructed them. Keep the documents distinct.
If the repair is inside a floor, can they sign it off without opening it?
They can only sign off what they can see. If the floor is closed, ask them to say their limit in writing.