Comprehensive Building Survey — From £575
Understand the building, the repairs and the likely costs before you commit.
A detailed assessment of the property’s construction, condition and significant defects, explaining likely causes, practical repair options, action priorities and guideline repair costs where these can reasonably be assessed.
Send the property postcode so we can confirm coverage, the appropriate scope and your fee.
Who it is for
For older, altered, extended or complex buildings; unusual construction; poorly maintained properties; known or suspected defects; and purchasers or owners planning significant repairs or renovation.
What it adds to a Homebuyer Survey
Both services identify significant defects, explain likely causes where reasonably established, and set clear action priorities. The Comprehensive Building Survey provides a deeper assessment of construction and defect implications, with practical repair options, sequencing, outline repair details where useful, and guideline budgets for significant repairs where reasonably assessable.
This construction-led assessment combines building surveying with more than 25 years of practical construction experience. Compare the Homebuyer Survey.
What we inspect
Roof coverings, chimney stacks, flashings and rainwater goods
Accessible roof spaces, visible roof structure and timbers
External walls, windows, doors and visible structural elements
Ceilings, internal walls, floors, joinery and accessible internal areas
Visible components of services and drainage within the agreed scope
Garages, relevant outbuildings, boundaries, paths, drives and grounds
The inspection is systematic, with internal findings identified by room and external findings by elevation, area or building element. Access, safety and visibility affect what can be assessed. The report identifies concealed or inaccessible areas and explains the effect of each significant limitation.
Services are assessed within the survey’s scope; this is not specialist testing or certification of electrical, gas, heating or drainage installations. Opening-up, specialist tests, structural calculations and design services require separate agreement. Drone or thermal-imaging work is included only where expressly agreed.
What your report explains
The building’s construction and the significance of its condition
Significant defects, their location and extent, supported by clear photographic evidence
Likely causes, reasonable alternatives and any uncertainty
Practical repair options, recommended timing and consequences of delay
The order of work and opportunities to coordinate related repairs
Guideline repair budgets and clearly identified items that cannot yet be priced
Photographs are linked to the relevant findings, with annotations where useful. Where further investigation is necessary, the report explains the question to resolve, who should investigate and when.
Practical repair guidance
Recommendations explain the repair approach and include annotated photographs, sketches or outline details where appropriate. These help you understand the proposed work and discuss it with contractors. A full contractor-ready specification, architectural or structural design package, and structural calculations are separate services unless expressly agreed.
Guideline repair budgets
Guideline budgets for significant repairs form part of the standard service where the work can reasonably be assessed. The report states the scope, pricing basis and VAT treatment, identifies material allowances such as access, and avoids counting shared costs twice. Investigation costs and repairs whose extent is still uncertain are distinguished from established work.
Unpriced items are identified clearly; they are not treated as having no cost. Any agreed variation to the budget service is recorded in your quotation and appointment. These allowances support planning and are not fixed quotations: obtain suitable contractor quotations before committing to the work.
Action priorities
Routine maintenance — Minor wear and upkeep that can be addressed through normal property maintenance.
Repairs required — Defects needing repair or replacement within the timescale stated in the report. They are not considered urgent.
Urgent action required — Matters needing prompt action because of a safety concern, serious defect or risk of significant deterioration. The report specifies what to do and when.
Satisfactory means no significant defect was identified within the inspection’s scope. Not inspected means the condition could not be assessed. Further investigation required is a separate recommendation with its own urgency; it is not automatically a severe-defect rating.
Comprehensive Building Survey price
From £575. Starting prices apply to typical properties within ClearBuild Surveying’s normal service area. Your final fee depends on size, age, construction, condition, complexity, location and agreed scope. The agreed scope and all fees are confirmed before instruction.