Understand your property before the buyer’s survey does
An independent seller-commissioned property survey completed before or during the early stages of marketing. It gives you an earlier understanding of visible defects, repair priorities and issues that may otherwise emerge later in the transaction.
Independent condition advice before the sale process is well advanced.
Find significant issues earlier, not after a buyer has committed time and money
A buyer’s survey is often the first detailed condition assessment in a sale. If it identifies significant cracking, dampness, roof defects, structural alterations or substantial maintenance liabilities, those issues can quickly lead to further investigation, quotation requests, renegotiation or delay.
A pre-sale survey brings that assessment forward so you can understand the visible condition before the transaction is well advanced.
It can help you:
- identify significant defects before marketing
- understand likely repair priorities
- decide whether repairs are worth completing first
- obtain specialist information earlier where justified
- prepare for questions from a buyer or their surveyor
- reduce avoidable surprises later in the sale
Condition should be understood from evidence, not assumptions
Roofs and roof spaces
Coverings, chimneys, flashings, accessible roof structures, ventilation and visible moisture evidence.
Dampness and deterioration
Moisture evidence is interpreted in context rather than automatically labelled as rising damp.
Alterations and structure
Visible extensions, removed walls, chimney alterations and other changes are considered where evidence allows.
A whole-property visual assessment
External condition
Roof coverings, chimneys, walls, windows, doors, rainwater goods and accessible external elements.
Internal condition
Accessible walls, ceilings, floors, finishes, joinery and visible evidence of movement or deterioration.
Roof space
Accessible roof voids, structure, coverings viewed internally, insulation, ventilation and staining.
Alterations
Visible structural changes, extensions and other modifications considered where evidence is available.
Services
A visual surveyor’s assessment of accessible electrical, heating, plumbing and drainage components.
Grounds
Accessible boundaries, levels, drainage indicators, outbuildings and relevant external areas.
From enquiry to report
Send the property
Send the address and, where available, the estate-agent, Rightmove or Zoopla listing.
Scope and fee
We review the property and confirm the appropriate scope, availability and quotation.
Inspection
The accessible property is inspected systematically and relevant evidence is recorded.
Report
You receive clear findings, repair priorities, limitations and proportionate next steps.
Not every defect needs to be repaired before you sell
The purpose of the survey is to give you better information, not create a list of work that must automatically be completed.
Some matters may justify repair. Others may simply need to be understood, disclosed or investigated further. The important point is knowing about them before they become an unexpected issue during the transaction.
Issues commonly worth understanding early
- cracking and movement
- dampness and moisture staining
- roof-covering deterioration
- timber decay
- failed render or pointing
- removed walls or chimney breasts
- roof-space alterations
- extensions and previous alterations
- drainage concerns
- significant deferred maintenance
If the concern relates to one defined issue rather than the whole property, a Specific Defect Survey may be more proportionate.
Clear findings, context and practical next steps
Construction
Relevant building materials, construction and visible alterations are explained where they affect condition.
Defect analysis
Significant findings are considered with likely causes, implications and balanced recommendations.
Photographic evidence
Relevant photographs support the important findings rather than relying on generic commentary.
See the general Hunter Ellis reporting approach in our anonymised Level 3 Building Survey example .
Property condition information is expected to move earlier in the sale process
The UK Government’s 2026 home buying and selling reform roadmap sets out an intention to introduce legislation, when parliamentary time allows, requiring a sales pack before a property is listed.
The proposed information includes property searches and a property condition assessment report tailored to the property’s age and type.
The detailed statutory requirements have not yet been finalised. This Hunter Ellis pre-sale survey is therefore a voluntary service and should not be described as the future statutory condition report.
Read the Government home buying and selling reform roadmap →
The purpose and commissioning party are different
Pre-Sale Property Survey
Commissioned by the seller to understand visible property condition before or during the early stages of marketing.
Permitted use and reliance depend on the agreed service, report format and Terms of Engagement.
Buyer Building Survey
Commissioned by a prospective purchaser to understand condition and repair liabilities before exchange.
Buyers can compare our Bristol Building Survey services or read about the Level 3 Building Survey.
Earlier condition information for estate agents and conveyancers
Hunter Ellis welcomes enquiries from estate agents, conveyancers and other property professionals looking at seller-side property condition information and future sales-pack processes.
If your firm would like to discuss a referral, pilot or local pre-sale survey arrangement, contact Hunter Ellis.
Other Hunter Ellis survey services
Building Surveys Bristol
Compare Level 2 and Level 3 survey options for a property you are buying.
Level 3 Building Survey
Detailed survey for older, altered, unusual or visibly defective residential property.
Specific Defect Survey
Targeted assessment of cracking, dampness, movement, roof defects and other defined concerns.
Pre-Sale Property Survey FAQs
What is a pre-sale property survey?
It is a property condition survey commissioned by the seller rather than the buyer, intended to identify and explain visible condition issues before or during the early stages of marketing.
Should I have a survey before selling my house?
It can be useful where you want a clearer understanding of condition before marketing, particularly for older, altered or visibly defective property.
Will it stop a buyer commissioning their own survey?
Not necessarily. A buyer may still commission their own survey and a lender may have separate valuation or assessment requirements.
Can a buyer rely on the report?
This depends on the specific service, report terms and agreed parties entitled to rely upon it. Hunter Ellis will confirm the permitted use and reliance position before instruction.
Is a property condition report already compulsory before selling?
No. The Government has announced its intention to introduce legislation requiring pre-listing sales packs including property condition information when parliamentary time allows. Detailed statutory requirements remain under development.
Can the survey identify every hidden defect?
No. A standard survey is visual and non-destructive. Concealed or inaccessible construction cannot always be inspected.
Where do you provide pre-sale surveys?
Hunter Ellis is a service-area practice with residential surveying centred on Bristol and South Gloucestershire. Selected surrounding locations may also be considered.
How much does a pre-sale survey cost?
The fee depends on the property’s size, age, construction, condition and complexity. Send the property address and any existing sales listing and Hunter Ellis will confirm the proposed scope and quotation.
Request a Pre-Sale Property Survey quotation
Send us the property details below. We’ll review the property and confirm whether a pre-sale survey is appropriate, together with the proposed scope, availability and fee.
Hunter Ellis Ltd · Independent residential building surveying · Bristol & South Gloucestershire
