When you’re about to spend hundreds of thousands of pounds on a property, skipping a survey to “save a bit of money” is a false economy. We’ve seen it time and time again.
At Otto Surveys, we’ve spent over 15 years inspecting and assessing homes / buildings across the UK — from first-time buyer houses, flats to investment properties and new builds. As surveyors accredited by the Residential Property Surveyors Association (RPSA) (a similar accredited body to Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS)) and chartered through the Chartered Institute of Building, we don’t just tick boxes. We uncover the issues that could cost you thousands — or stop you making a very expensive mistake.
Let’s break down why a property survey isn’t optional. It’s essential.
1) A Mortgage Valuation Is Not a Survey
This is the biggest misconception we hear.
A lender’s valuation is for the bank — not for you. It’s often brief, sometimes even desktop-based, and its purpose is simply to confirm the property is worth the loan amount.
It isnot a detailed inspection of the condition of the building.
A Level 2 Home Buyer Survey or Level 3 Full Building Survey, on the other hand, is entirely focused on protecting you as the buyer. We inspect the structure, roof space, walls, floors, services (visually), and identify defects that could affect value, safety, or future repair costs.
They are two very different things — and confusing them can be costly.
2) We Regularly Find Serious Structural Issues
Some of the most common defects we uncover include:
• Significant structural cracking
• Leaking, mould-contaminated roof spaces
• Damp and moisture ingress
• Poor alterations and hidden defects
• Inadequate ventilation leading to timber decay
Many of these aren’t obvious during a viewing. A freshly painted wall can conceal long-standing damp. A tidy loft hatch doesn’t mean the roof structure is sound.
Recently, one of our clients was purchasing what appeared to be a well-presented property. Our survey uncovered structural cracking and roof defects that required remedial works. Armed with our report, the client renegotiated the purchase price — saving nearly £2,400. Sometimes the savings are more than this (£10,000 plus), as we have another Leeds-based client who is currently re-negotiating their house price due to the serious defects we have found.
That’s more than the cost of the survey itself.
And that’s not unusual.
3) Surveys Give You Leverage
Even if you still want the property, knowledge is power.
A professional report gives you:
• Evidence to renegotiate the price
• A realistic understanding of repair costs
• The ability to plan works properly
• Confidence to walk away if needed
We’ve had first-time buyers who were understandably nervous about raising issues with sellers. Once they had a clear, professional report outlining defects, the conversation became factual rather than emotional.
Investors especially understand this — due diligence protects margins.
4) Even New Builds Aren’t Immune
There’s a common belief that new builds don’t need surveys.
In reality, we regularly inspect newer properties and find issues ranging from poor workmanship to inadequate insulation detailing and early signs of damp. Just because a property is new doesn’t mean it’s defect-free.
A survey gives peace of mind — and sometimes a detailed snagging list the developer must address.
5) It’s Not Just About Problems — It’s About Confidence
A good survey doesn’t exist to frighten you. It exists to inform you.
Sometimes the outcome is reassurance: the structure is sound, defects are minor, and you can proceed with clarity. That confidence is invaluable when making one of the biggest financial decisions of your life.
After 15+ years in the buildings and surveying industry, we can say this plainly:
The cost of a survey is small.
The cost of not having one can be enormous.
6) Who Should Get a Survey?
• First-time buyers
• Second-time or third-time buyers upgrading
• Buy-to-let investors
• Anyone purchasing an older property
• Anyone buying a new build
• Anyone who wants certainty before committing
In truth — that’s most buyers.
7) The Bottom Line
A property survey isn’t about being pessimistic. It’s about being prepared.
If there are structural concerns, roof defects, or damp issues lurking beneath the surface, you want to know before you exchange contracts — not after you’ve picked up the keys.
If you’re in the process of buying and want clear, professional advice backed by experience and accredited expertise, get in touch with us at Otto Surveys and book your Level 2 home buyers or Level 3 full buildings survey.
It could save you thousands. More importantly, it could save you from the wrong purchase altogether.
And that’s always money well spent.
Our coverage areas are:
West Yorkshire, North Yorkshire and South Yorkshire, North West, North East and Midlands: Baildon, Barnsley, Batley, Bingley, Bishop Auckland, Birmingham, Blackpool, Bradford, Brierley, Brighouse, Burnley, Bolton, Calderdale, Castleford, Chester, Cheshire, Cleckheaton, Conisbrough, Coventry, Cumbria, Darlington, Derby, Dewsbury, Dinnington, Doncaster, Goldthorpe, Greater Manchester, Guiseley, Halifax, Harrogate, Haworth, Holmfirth, Hoyland, Huddersfield, Hull, Ilkley, Keighley, Knaresborough, Lancashire, Leeds, Leicester, Leicestershire, Liverpool, Maltby, Manchester, Middlesbrough, Mirfield, Nelson, Normanton, Nottingham, Oldham, Ossett, Otley, Penistone, Pickering, Preston, Prestwich, Pudsey, Queensbury, Richmond, Ripon, Rotherham, Saltaire, Scarborough, Sheffield, Shipley, Skipton, Stockbridge, Stockport, Stretford, Tadcaster, Wakefield, Wath upon Dearne, Wetherby, Whitby, Yeadon, York, Warrington. and many other cities.