Picture a young couple, Hina and Daniel, standing outside a Victorian terrace in North London. The kitchen is lovely. The garden is a good size. The price is just about right. Then Daniel looks up and asks, “Has anyone actually checked the roof?”
That one question is why home surveys exist. At Surveying People, we help London buyers answer it before they sign anything. If you’re comparing a house survey London buyers trust, you’ve probably seen two names: Level 2 and Level 3. Here’s what each one covers, and whether the drone survey really comes free.
What is a RICS survey?
RICS stands for the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors. Their members follow set standards, so you know the person walking through your future home is properly trained.
RICS offers three levels of home survey. Level 1 is a basic condition report. Most buyers go for Level 2 or Level 3, so that’s where we’ll focus.
What’s included in a Level 2 survey?
Level 2 is the standard choice for homes in fair condition. Think of a 1990s semi in Enfield or a tidy flat in Barnet.
Your surveyor checks the parts of the property they can see and reach. That covers:
- Roof, chimney, gutters and outside walls
- Windows, doors and woodwork
- Ceilings, walls, floors and fireplaces
- Damp, rot and signs of movement
- Basic checks on the electrics, gas, water and heating
- Visible drains and the condition of the garden and boundaries
The report uses a simple traffic light system. Green means fine. Amber means keep an eye on it. Red means act now. You get a clear picture without wading through jargon.
What’s included in a Level 3 survey?
Level 3 is the full, detailed survey. It suits older homes, listed buildings, properties that have been extended, or anything that looks like it needs work.
You get everything in Level 2, plus much more depth. The surveyor goes into the building’s structure and explains how it was put together. They describe the likely cause of any defect, not just that it’s there. They also suggest repair options and flag the risks of future problems.
Back to Hina and Daniel. Their terrace was built around 1900 and had a loft conversion done years ago. A Level 3 was the right call. A surveyor can look at how the conversion affects the roof timbers and walls, and tell them what could go wrong in five years.
Level 2 vs Level 3: the quick difference
Level 2 tells you what’s wrong. Level 3 tells you what’s wrong, why it happened, and what to do about it.
Level 2 usually costs less and takes less time. Level 3 costs more because the surveyor spends longer on site and writes a much more detailed report. For a modern, well kept home, Level 2 is often plenty. For an old or altered home, Level 3 can save you from a very expensive surprise.
Which one should you choose?
Ask yourself three simple questions.
How old is the property? Anything built before 1930 deserves a close look at Level 3.
Has it been altered? Extensions, loft conversions and knocked through walls all raise the stakes.
Does anything look off? Cracks, damp patches or a sagging roofline are signs to go for the fuller survey.
If you’re still unsure, call us. We’d rather spend ten minutes helping you choose than see you pay for the wrong survey.
Is a drone survey free?
Yes, it is. When you book either a Level 2 or a Level 3 survey with Surveying People, you can add a drone survey at no extra cost.
Here’s why it matters. Roofs, chimneys and high gutters are hard to judge from the ground. A surveyor with a ladder can only see so much, and some roofs can’t be reached safely at all. A drone flies up close, takes sharp photos and video, and shows slipped tiles, cracked pointing and blocked gutters that would otherwise stay hidden.
It’s also safer. Nobody has to climb a steep roof in the rain.
You choose whether you want it. The drone survey isn’t forced on anyone, and it doesn’t change the price of your survey. Pick Level 2 or Level 3, and the free drone option is there for you.
Why book with Surveying People?
We keep things plain. You get a report you can understand, a surveyor who picks up the phone, and honest advice on which survey fits your home. Our focus is London properties, from Victorian terraces to new build flats, so we know the common problems in each area.
Ready to book?
Hina and Daniel went with Level 3 and the drone option. The drone found a cracked chimney stack nobody had spotted. They used the report to negotiate the price down, and they moved in with their eyes open.
You can do the same. Call us on 020 8203 1281 or email info@surveyingpeople.com, and we’ll help you pick the right survey for your London home. Your free drone survey is waiting.
