HOME SURVEY / LEVEL 3 / MBC

Home Survey Level 3 (Building Survey)

The Level 3 Building Survey is the most comprehensive of the three home survey levels. It provides a detailed assessment of the construction and condition of the property, explains how defects have arisen, and sets out the options for repair together with the likely consequences of leaving things unaddressed.

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MBC / ILLUSTRATIVE REPORT ANATOMYHOME SURVEY / LEVEL 3 INTERACTIVE
D1 / CONDITION RATING 3
3Urgent / investigate

Evidence developed into a diagnosis

Pattern, age, geometry and context are considered together before a cause is proposed.

Tap an element to inspect the reporting depthLEVEL 3 / Diagnose + strategise

01 / PROPERTY + DEPTH

Who a Level 3 survey suits

It is the right choice for older properties, larger houses, buildings that have been extended or altered, unusual construction, and any purchase where problems are already suspected.

Every Level 3 survey is carried out personally by Jarelle Mills MCIOB in accordance with the current RICS Home Survey Standard — informed by contracting and complex insurance claims experience that goes beyond survey work alone.

PROPERTY FIT
  • 01

    Pre-1900 and period properties of traditional construction

  • 02

    Larger, extended or significantly altered buildings

  • 03

    Properties with known or suspected defects — movement, damp, roof problems

  • 04

    Unusual or non-standard construction

  • 05

    Buyers planning renovation who want to understand what they are taking on

REPORT CONTENT

What the report includes

  • 01

    A thorough inspection and detailed description of construction and condition

  • 02

    Analysis of visible defects — cause, significance and how they may develop

  • 03

    Options for repair, with the consequences of not acting

  • 04

    Details of serious risks and dangerous conditions

  • 05

    Advice for your legal advisers on matters to investigate

  • 06

    Future maintenance considerations

  • 07

    A detailed Level 3 report connecting condition, causes, consequences and repair options

REPORT KEY / CONDITION RATINGS

Read the number.
Then read the reason.

Every Home Survey level uses the same three-part visual language. The depth of explanation changes; the meaning of the rating does not.
D1Example report element2

CONDITION RATING 2 / PLAN REPAIR

Defect requiring attention

A repair or replacement is needed, but the issue is not considered serious or urgent.

What to do
Plan the work and understand the likely implications.
What it does not mean
It is not a quotation and does not predict the repair cost.
NI Not inspected

A separate grey marker is used when an element could not be inspected. Ratings describe condition and urgency—not cost—and must always be read with the written finding.

02 / METHOD

How it works

A clear line from property fit to a report you can act on.
  1. 01

    REPORT GATE / 1

    Enquiry and quote

    Share the address, age and any known concerns through the enquiry form. Level 3 fees reflect the depth of inspection and reporting, so quotes are property-specific.

  2. 02

    REPORT GATE / 2

    Booking and terms

    Terms of engagement confirm the scope. Any specific concerns you raise are built into the inspection plan.

  3. 03

    REPORT GATE / 3

    Inspection

    An extended inspection — often half a day or more on site — covering all accessible areas, roof spaces, sub-floor voids where accessible, and the external envelope.

  4. 04

    REPORT GATE / 4

    Report and consultation

    A detailed written report, normally within five to seven working days, followed by a call to discuss findings, priorities and next steps.

03 / BEFORE YOU INSTRUCT

Questions worth answering first.

Scope, access, limitations and what happens after the inspection—explained before they become surprises.

How is Level 3 different from Level 2?

Depth and analysis. Level 2 describes condition and flags defects; Level 3 explains the construction, diagnoses how defects have arisen, sets out repair options and their consequences, and provides substantially more detail for legal advisers. The inspection itself is longer and more thorough.

Do I need a full structural survey?

"Full structural survey" is an outdated term — the Level 3 Building Survey is its modern equivalent. Note that it does not include structural engineering calculations; where those are needed, the report will say so and explain why.

Can you inspect a property I’m planning to renovate?

Yes — a Level 3 survey is well suited to pre-renovation purchases. Flag your plans in the enquiry and the report can give particular attention to the parts of the building your project touches.

How long does the report take?

Normally five to seven working days from inspection. If you are working to a tight exchange deadline, mention it — urgent findings can be communicated by phone ahead of the written report.

04 / NEXT QUESTIONS

Related instructions

01

Home Survey Level 2

The most popular survey for standard residential properties — condition ratings, maintenance advice and matters to raise before exchange. Survey only, without valuation.

02

Defects investigation

Diagnosis of specific building defects — from cracking to water penetration — with cause-focused analysis and clear written recommendations.

03

Damp and timber surveys

Independent, PCA-qualified investigation of damp, mould and timber decay — with no ties to remediation contractors.

NEW INSTRUCTION / Home Survey Level 3

Choose the depth the building earns.

Send the property address and the situation for a fixed quote and an honest recommendation.

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