Why Do I Need To Undertake Further Investigations?

Why Do Further Investigations Matter After a RICS Home Survey?

One of the most common questions we hear from clients is:

“If I’m paying for a survey, why do I then need to spend more money on further investigations?”

It’s a fair question — and the answer lies in understanding what a RICS Home Survey is designed to do, and just as importantly, what it isn’t.

The Role of a RICS Home Survey

A RICS Home Survey is a non-intrusive, visual inspection of a property. Its purpose is to provide you with an informed, professional overview of the condition of the building at the time of inspection. During the survey, we will:

• Inspect accessible parts of the property

• Identify visible defects, risks, and signs of deterioration

• Assess the likely implications for you as a buyer

What the survey does not involve is opening up the building, lifting floors, removing finishes, or testing services. This limitation exists for practical, legal, and safety reasons. A helpful way to think about the RICS Home Survey is as a Doctor for your house. We initially assess the subject for issues or symptoms. If issues are noted, you are referred onto specialists. Just as a GP wouldn’t perform surgery during a routine check-up, a surveyor cannot dismantle parts of a building.

Why Further Investigations Are Often Recommended

Many important elements of a property cannot be fully assessed visually. Even if no obvious defects are visible, the consequences of failure can be serious — which is why surveyors err on the side of caution. Typical examples where we recommend further investigations are:

• Electrical installations. A qualified electrician is needed to confirm safety and compliance.

• Gas and heating systems. Gas installations require inspection by a Gas Safe registered engineer.

• Drainage. Underground drainage cannot be seen and may require a CCTV survey.

• Damp, timber or infestation. Symptoms may indicate hidden issues that require intrusive inspection.

• Structural movement. Cracking or distortion may need assessment by a structural engineer.

Why This Protects You as the Buyer

Recommending further investigations isn’t about passing responsibility — it’s about protecting you from unknown and potentially expensive problems. Without further investigation:

• Issues may remain hidden until after purchase

• Repair costs may be significantly higher than expected

• Safety risks could go unaddressed

• Your negotiating position will be weakened

By highlighting the need for specialist input before you commit to buying, the survey is doing exactly what it’s meant to do: helping you make an informed decision within limitations.

In Summary

A RICS Home Survey is a vital first step in understanding a property, but it is not a guarantee that every defect has been uncovered. It is a professional, visual assessment. Further investigations are recommended where services need to be assessed, or intrusive inspection is required.

Think of your survey as a health check for your potential future home. If something doesn’t look quite right, the sensible next step isn’t to ignore it — it’s to investigate it properly. That’s not extra spending for the sake of it. That’s informed decision-making — and it can save you far more in the long run.

Further investigations protect you as a buyer