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Survey costs

Why is a drain camera or an EICR not inside the fee RICS declines to set nationally?

Because they are different instructions, done by different people, with their own prices. A RICS home survey does not include a camera survey or an electrical installation condition report unless the quote says so in words. There is no national bundle price for “survey plus everything the survey might recommend”.

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?

Budget for the survey first. Budget again if the report recommends further investigation, which the rating 3 definition expects you to price before you commit. Some buyers set aside a contingency for that second round. The contingency is your decision. It is not a figure RICS, GOV.UK or this page can honestly give you, because the tests depend on the house.

Ask each specialist for their own written quote and scope. A drainage firm prices length and access. An electrician prices an EICR, not a rewire, unless you ask for both. Do not let the first firm to reply include remedial work you have not accepted. The survey said “investigate”, not “replace everything”.

What should you ask your surveyor?

  • Which extras are in your fee, if any?
  • Which recommendations are we likely to need priced separately?
  • Will you help us scope a specialist, or only report the limit?

What are the typical next steps?

  1. Pay for the survey you instructed. Do not expect it to contain other professions.
  2. When further investigation appears, get a separate quote before you agree the work.
  3. Keep each scope short enough that you are not buying a repair dressed up as a test.

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

Can one firm do the survey and the EICR?

Only if the people are qualified for both and the quote splits them. A surveyor is not an electrician because the invoice has one total.

Is the cheapest camera survey the right one?

Compare what length is included and whether you get the recording. A price with no recording is a different product.

Sources