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Birmingham's housing stock is unusually mixed, and the right level of survey depends far more on what a property is made of than on what it costs. These are the property types we're asked to inspect most often across the city, and the defects that come up with them.
Common through Moseley, Kings Heath, Balsall Heath, Sparkhill and Selly Oak. These are typically solid-wall construction with no cavity, so penetrating and rising damp are the recurring findings — often where an original damp-proof course has been bridged by raised ground levels or later render. We also check chimney stacks and flashings, roof spread, lath-and-plaster ceilings, and cellar ventilation. A Level 3 Building Survey is usually the right call for these, particularly where the property has been extended or converted into flats.
The dominant stock in Hall Green, Acocks Green, Great Barr, Kingstanding and Sheldon. These are early cavity-wall builds, so the things worth checking are wall-tie corrosion, spalled or cracked render, the condition of any flat-roofed rear extension, and whether original single-glazed timber windows have been replaced with FENSA-certified units. Where mature trees sit close to shallow foundations on shrinkable clay, we look carefully at crack patterns before deciding whether movement is historic or ongoing. A Level 2 Homebuyer Report is normally sufficient if the house is unaltered and in reasonable order.
Around Northfield, Shard End, Frankley and parts of Erdington you'll find system-built and non-traditional construction — including precast reinforced concrete (PRC) and no-fines concrete homes. This matters commercially as well as structurally: several PRC house types are designated defective under the Housing Defects Act 1984, and most lenders will not advance on them without evidence of an approved structural repair scheme. If you are buying an ex-council property in Birmingham, identifying the construction type early is the single most useful thing a survey can do for you.
In the Jewellery Quarter, Digbeth and along the canal corridor, much of the apartment stock is converted commercial or industrial building. Here we focus on the external wall build-up and any EWS1 position, communal areas and their condition, evidence of the freeholder's maintenance record, and how service charges and any planned major works are likely to affect you after completion.
We're a nationwide practice with surveyors resourced regionally, so a Birmingham booking is covered by a surveyor who works the West Midlands week in, week out.
Edgbaston, Harborne, Moseley, Kings Heath, Sutton Coldfield, Erdington, Handsworth, Bournville, Selly Oak, Yardley, Northfield, Quinton, Acocks Green, Hall Green, Sheldon, Great Barr, Kingstanding, Shard End, Frankley, the Jewellery Quarter, Digbeth and the city centre.
Solihull, Coventry, Wolverhampton, Dudley, Walsall, West Bromwich, Halesowen, Stourbridge, Smethwick, Oldbury, Brierley Hill, Tipton, Bilston, Wednesbury, Willenhall, Kingswinford, Cradley Heath, Rowley Regis, Sedgley, Bloxwich, Aldridge and Brownhills.
Nuneaton, Bedworth, Rugby, Royal Leamington Spa, Warwick, Kenilworth, Stratford-upon-Avon, Redditch, Bromsgrove, Kidderminster, Droitwich Spa, Worcester, Tamworth, Lichfield, Cannock, Stafford, Burton upon Trent and Rugeley.
Buying outside the region? We survey nationwide — see our Manchester, Nottingham, Derby and East of England pages, or call 01159 227 446 and we'll confirm cover for your postcode straight away.
Buying a property is a big decision, and our professional RICS surveyors provide straightforward Homebuyer Reports that highlight any issues, risks and potential costs, so you can move forward with confidence.
We identify visible defects, structural concerns and areas that may need attention, helping you avoid unexpected surprises after purchase.
You’ll receive a clear, jargon-free report that explains what the findings mean in real terms.
Whether you’re buying a modern home or an older property, we’ll guide you to the right level of survey for your situation so you only pay for the home survey you need.
Surveys available for residential properties throughout Birmingham and the wider West Midlands region.
A side-by-side comparison of what each RICS survey level includes.
| Service features | Level 2Home Buyers Report | Level 3Building Survey |
|---|---|---|
| Describes the construction and condition of the property on the date of the inspection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Aims to identify any problems that need urgent attention or are serious | ✓ | ✓ |
| Aims to identify things that need to be investigated further to prevent serious damage | ✓ | ✓ |
| Aims to show up potential issues and defects, before any transaction takes place | ✓ | ✓ |
| Aims to help you decide whether you need extra advice before committing to purchase | ✓ | ✓ |
| Aims to enable you to budget for any repairs or restoration | ✓ | ✓ |
| Aims to advise you on the amount of ongoing maintenance required in the future | ✓ | ✓ |
| Aims to establish how the property is built, what materials are used and how these will perform in the future | – | ✓ |
| Aims to describe visible defects, plus exposing potential problems posed by hidden defects | – | ✓ |
| Where practical and agreed, provides an estimate of costs for identified repair | – | ✓ |
| Provides specific comments on energy efficiency | – | ✓ |
Speak to our team on 01159 227 446 if you are unsure which level of survey suits your property.
A Level 2 survey suits conventional properties in reasonable condition and gives you a condition-rated report on everything visible and accessible. A Level 3 survey goes considerably further and is the better choice for older, extended, altered or unusual buildings. It investigates the construction in more detail, explains the likely cause of any defects and sets out what needs doing about them. If you’re unsure which you need, call us and we’ll tell you honestly.
A Level 2 Homebuyer Report starts at £481 and a Level 3 Building Survey at £655, both inclusive of VAT. The exact figure depends on the property’s size, age and location. Use the quote form on this page and your personalised quote is sent straight to your inbox, so you’ll know the cost before you commit to anything.
We can normally carry out your inspection within five working days of booking, and your report is then delivered within a further five working days of the visit.
We survey residential properties throughout Birmingham and the wider West Midlands region. If you’re not sure whether your postcode is covered, give us a ring and we’ll confirm straight away.
Yes. Our surveys are carried out by RICS-registered surveyors working to RICS Home Survey standards, so you get a report that lenders, solicitors and estate agents recognise and take seriously.
A Level 2 Homebuyer Survey doesn’t include a valuation. If you need a market valuation or advice on reinstatement cost, mention it when you book and we’ll let you know the options.
Yes, and we’d encourage it. Reports raise questions, and a short conversation is often the quickest way to understand how serious something really is and what it’s likely to cost to put right.
Very few reports come back completely clear, and a defect isn’t necessarily a reason to walk away. We’ll explain how urgent each issue is and what sort of work it implies, which gives you the evidence to get quotes, renegotiate the price or ask the seller to deal with it before completion.