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kieran newcombe13 October 2026Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
Me and my partner have been going through the process of purchasing our first house and was recommended to get a Level 3 survey completed. From start to finish, H&S have been great. Quick and friendly correspondence, and communication was very good! The survey write up was in great depth and easy to understand. We have been in touch with them a couple times after the survey was completed and they have been incredibly helpful! I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend them to anyone, especially if you’re a first time buyer and this is all new to you. Reasonably priced and very happy customers. Thanks you! 👍Posted on GoogleJanet Bartholomew31 July 2026We used this company nine years ago when we bought our house,and Andrew was excellent ,very thorough and went out of his way to come back when we needed some extra advise,he did a full home buyers report for us. Today - nine years on Chris and Jack came round.they did an excellent job and gave good advice. I can’t praise these guys enough, Very thorough and professional.with all the latest technology! We wouldn’t hesitate to recommend h & s Chartered surveyors. Thankyou very much! IPosted on GoogleKatie Griffiths20 June 2026I would highly recommend this company. I am very impressed with the service provided particularly the excellent communication, customer service and willingness to provide guidance and answer questions at all stages. I am in the process of purchasing a house in Teignmouth. Firstly, h&s were recommended by the Estate Agents. I looked on the website and liked what I saw, clear and concise in explaining all the options. When I rang the office I was also very pleased after speaking with Saffron, she is very helpful, she clearly explained everything and arranged the next steps. Chris soon got in contact with me and really has been excellent from there onwards. Firstly, he explained that as the property was an older building and had been converted he would be able to best assess whether it should require a Level 2 or Level 3 Survey on inspection. Chris said he would keep me informed on the day, which he did, via WhatsApp at my request as I was at sea on a Transatlantic Cruise at the time! He deemed that it just needed the Level 2 which was great. I got the report in a timely manner both electronically, and a bound hard copy. It is clear and easy to understand. I spoke to Chris after I’d had time to digest it, and he spent over an hour on the phone with me going through it all, explaining the recommendations and answering lots of questions which I had mainly about next steps to take, which was so helpful. What amazing customer service! Chris also reassured me that I can contact him again via a call or email should I need to. I very rarely write reviews but this service was so exceptional that I just had to. I would not hesitate to use this company again. This has by far been the most seamless part of the process of purchasing my new property! Thank you so much Saffron and Chris 😊Posted on GoogleLuke Brisco21 April 2026Great service provided by the team four our survey needs. The Surveyor was very knowledgable and helpful with providing advice, with the report produced and sent over to us the following working day. Great communication and customer service, would definitely recommend!Posted on Googleoliver ware31 March 2026Friendly and professional company. Detailed and accurate report. Highly recommended and will use again in the future.Posted on GoogleSimon McGlynn31 March 2026Chris visited carried out two valuation reports for us, offering help and advice that went above and beyond (and probably saved us some money). Would highly recommend.Posted on GoogleLiyam Laraba30 January 2026Ian at h&s Surveyors provided an excellent survey. He provided a comprehensive report with lots of details and answered our specific queries really quickly. I would highly recommend h&s to anyone who needs surveyor services.Posted on GoogleMichelle Egan28 January 2026Excellent service, very good reports and was most helpful for follow up advice for conveyancing would and have recommended to others to use their services.Posted on GoogleMiss E Pierce3 January 2026I am really thankful and appreciate of the service that the H&S Team have given me every step of the way since the very first phone call back in July. Their service has been exceptional - from the customer care over the phone to the surveying process itself - the efficiency and professionalism truly is 5 star! I would highly recommend the team for any survey and valuation report needs!Posted on GoogleLouise White9 December 2025This was our fourth house purchase and H&S Surveyors were far and away the best we have used. Our surveyor, Chris, was extremely professional and approachable with excellent attention to detail. He was happy to follow up the report with further clarification over the phone as needed, and even supported with additional enquiries on some matters. After our first property fell through we had a second survey by Chris on our subsequent purchase. He had advised that the first required a Level 3 survey due to its age and condition; for the second, he advised that only a Level 2 was necessary as it was a newer build. We were very happy to trust his judgement and expertise. Office staff were also extremely helpful and communicative. We would thoroughly recommend H&S.
5 Constructive Ways to Deal With Poor Survey Results
Buying a property or making an investment is a big decision that requires thorough due diligence. A property survey is a key part of this process, but sometimes the results reveal problems you didn’t anticipate. While disappointing, poor survey results don’t have to derail your plans.
What Does A Bad Survey Contain?
While every buyer hopes for a clean bill of health, property surveys often uncover serious issues. Common problems flagged in ‘bad’ surveys include:
- Penetrating damp, rising damp, condensation and mould indicate moisture issues.
- Timber defects such as wet and dry rot can compromise the structural integrity of the property.
- Roof damage, leaks, and poor drainage may lead to ongoing maintenance.
- Subsidence, heave and settlement crack foundations.
- Outdated or dangerous electrics, gas, plumbing.
- Japanese knotweed is notorious for spreading and damaging properties.
While concerning, bad survey results do still provide you with options. Here’s how you can move forward with your purchase after a poor survey.
Be Clear On The Findings
It’s understandable you might feel stressed or anxious when presented with an unfavourable survey. However, giving in to knee-jerk reactions often exacerbates the problem. Stay calm and resist making any snap judgements. Ask any questions you need from your surveyor to ensure you comprehend the extent of the defects uncovered. You may want to invest in a more thorough Building Survey if you need more information about the extent of the problems.
Prioritise The Issues
Carefully assess the severity of each issue uncovered in the survey. Some may be minor cosmetic problems easily fixed yourself, but more serious structural or foundational defects will likely require professional contractors and potentially indicate lasting damage.
Prioritise the issues from least to most concerning and get quotes to estimate the repair costs so you can factor these into your investment calculations to determine if the property remains viable after repairs. Use the surveyor’s guidance and your own judgment to realistically weigh the scale of each problem. Multiple major issues could exceed your risk tolerance, regardless of any deal on price.
A “bad” survey doesn’t necessarily have to spell disaster for a property purchase. For some buyers, major issues just confirm expectations with an older home or planned remodel. If you’re buying a fixer-upper, rotting floor joists noted in the survey may coincide with your kitchen renovation plans anyway. Or if you’re purchasing a Victorian cottage, you may have anticipated issues with dampness and only needed direction on where to focus your efforts.
Take the time to assess what’s really a problem for your circumstances. With eyes open, you can tackle challenges methodically rather than being blindsided down the road.
Ask the Seller To Take Care Of The Repairs
Rather than taking on expensive repairs yourself, consider asking the seller to fix issues uncovered in the survey before the purchase is finalised. This may be the best route for major defects you didn’t anticipate.
For example, significant structural problems like a damaged roof require urgent professional attention. You can request the seller make these fixes quickly and properly before you exchange contracts. Make sure the issues are remedied to your satisfaction, not with masking solutions.
To ensure the work meets standards, you may want to consider having an independent building expert inspect repairs once completed or re-survey just the problem areas. If the seller refuses to make repairs or does shoddy work, be ready to walk away.
Renegotiate The Price
If repairs for issues uncovered in the survey are beyond your budget or risk tolerance, renegotiating with the seller is an effective next-best step. Approach the seller with tact but firmness and explain you still want to move forward with the purchase, but you want a price reduction or seller credits to offset the cost of repairs. You should provide supporting documentation like repair quotes and survey details.
If the property is still a good investment despite defects, suggest compromises like adjusting the price by a percentage proportionate to repair costs. Stay focused on an equitable solution, rather than “winning” the negotiation, to preserve a cordial transaction process.
Walk Away From The Sale
If survey issues seem insurmountable, walking away may be the right move. Until contracts are exchanged, you aren’t legally committed per English law. Consult your surveyor on repair costs and long-term impacts first. For example, ongoing subsidence or an invasive knotweed management plan could reduce the property’s value and saleability.
You need to carefully weigh if the defects constitute true dealbreakers or just need negotiation. Be honest with yourself – don’t rationalise major red flags if they will pose problems for you in the future. Walking away from your dream home is difficult. But it’s better than overextending finances or being stuck with an unsuitable money pit.
Speak To The Experts
At h&s Surveyors, we have extensive experience in providing insightful surveys for our clients across South Devon. For more information about choosing the right survey and how to proceed with bad results, please get in touch with us today.
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