Typical Home Survey Issues and the Best Steps to Take Afterwards
Common Home Survey Problems and How to Handle Them Next
Selling a home often feels straightforward—right up until the survey arrives. Even properties that have been lovingly maintained tend to reveal a few surprises once a surveyor takes a closer look.
The good news is that most issues sound far more alarming on paper than they truly are.
Damp is one of the most common concerns buyers encounter. It can stem from condensation, rising damp, or something as simple as blocked gutters allowing moisture to linger. Although it can look dramatic, damp is frequently minor and inexpensive to resolve.
A specialist report helps you explain the real cause and expected cost, keeping discussions factual rather than emotional.
Roof-related comments appear regularly too. Whether it’s missing tiles or an ageing flat roof, these issues tend to be routine. A quick repair or a roofer’s written quote usually reassures buyers and prevents the problem from escalating in their minds.
Surveyors also highlight structural movement, ranging from small settlement cracks to signs of historic subsidence. Most movement is harmless, but when anything looks uncertain, a structural engineer’s assessment can separate cosmetic flaws from genuine concerns, giving buyers confidence in the property’s stability.
Electrical systems often draw attention as well. Older wiring doesn’t automatically mean danger; an electrical inspection can confirm whether the system is safe or simply outdated, helping buyers avoid assuming the worst. Timber issues—such as woodworm or localised rot—round out the usual findings.
These are typically easy to treat, and a specialist’s opinion helps you present the facts clearly and calmly.
Handled proactively, survey findings rarely derail a sale. If you’d like to explore pre‑survey preparation or negotiation strategies after a buyer’s report, we can dive into that next.