What to do if your house survey shows problems

Getting a building survey before buying a property is always recommended. Not because problems are likely, but because knowing what you are taking on puts you in a far stronger position. If your survey has flagged issues, here are the steps to follow.

For a full breakdown of the defects surveyors commonly find, see our guide to the most common house survey problems.

A survey report will highlight issues using a straightforward rating system. Green means no action is required, amber indicates an issue that does not need immediate resolution, and red confirms something that needs urgent attention.

Most reports contain a mix of amber and green findings. Even a red flag does not necessarily mean you should walk away: it means you have information that buyers without a survey would not have had until after moving in. Armed with that knowledge, you can make a clear-headed decision about how to proceed.

Because the report sets out the condition of the property and any maintenance costs coming up, it also gives you clear grounds to re-enter price negotiations if there are issues that need remedying. And if the results reveal something you simply cannot accept, you have the option of withdrawing from the purchase before you are legally committed.

Before doing anything else, speak to your surveyor. Survey reports are thorough documents and some issues may not be immediately clear to a non-specialist. Your surveyor will be happy to explain technical points, give you a sense of how serious individual problems are and advise on what kind of specialist you might need to bring in.

Do not make decisions based on a first read alone. Go through the report carefully, write down your questions and then speak to your surveyor before deciding on your next steps.

Your surveyor will have given an indication of the likely cost of remedial work in the report. It is worth following this up by getting quotes from relevant contractors: a structural engineer for subsidence concerns, a roofing company for roof issues, a damp specialist for moisture-related defects and so on.

These quotes serve two purposes. First, they give you a realistic picture of what the building work will actually cost. Second, they give you something concrete to present to the seller when you go back to negotiate.

In most cases, a seller who has received a survey report flagging problems will want to reach a resolution rather than risk the sale falling through. You can use the results to request a reduction in the agreed price to reflect the cost of repairs, ask the seller to carry out specific work before exchange, or in some cases both.

The negotiation is usually handled through solicitors and estate agents. Coming to the table with contractor quotes and the survey report behind you puts you in a strong position.

It is also worth checking comparable property prices on Rightmove or Zoopla to make sure the property is appropriately priced given its condition. If similar properties in better condition are selling for less, that is a further argument for a price reduction.

Not every survey outcome ends in negotiation. Sometimes the issues revealed change your view of the property entirely, and the right decision is to walk away.

If that is where you are, it is worth being clear about it early. The further along a purchase progresses, the more difficult and costly it becomes for buyers to withdraw. A survey is one of the clearest decision points you will have in the whole process, so use it.

For guidance on the full buying process and what to expect at each stage, see our buying a house guide.

If you are yet to commission a survey on a property you are buying, our team can arrange one quickly and at a competitive price.

At Surveyor Local, we work exclusively with RICS-accredited chartered surveyors across England and Wales. Find out more about what each survey level costs or compare your options on our survey comparison page.

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