The UK property market is currently in a state of flux. With high interest rates and fluctuating material costs in 2026, the margin for error when buying a home is zero. Yet, many buyers still rely on outdated myths.
At Stokemont, our RICS chartered surveyors see these mistakes daily. Here is the reality behind the misconceptions.
Myth 1: My Mortgage Valuation is a Survey This is the most dangerous and common misunderstanding in real estate. A valuation is a tool for the lender to ensure they can recoup their loan if you default. The valuer may only spend 15 to 20 minutes at the property. They are looking at comparable evidence in the street, not the condition of the joists.
If the roof is leaking but the house appears worth the price, they won’t warn you. A RICS survey is the only document that works for you, the buyer.
Myth 2: A Survey is a Guarantee or Insurance Policy Some buyers believe that if a pipe leaks six months after moving in, the surveyor is liable. In reality, a survey is a snapshot of a property’s condition on the day of inspection. We are experts at identifying telltale signs, but we do not have X ray vision. If a defect is hidden behind heavy furniture, fitted wardrobes, or under recently laid laminate flooring, it is technically inaccessible.
This is why choosing a Stokemont Full Building Survey (Level 3) is vital for older homes; it allows us to be more thorough in our investigation of those hidden areas.
Myth 3: Modern Houses Don’t Need Surveys It is common for buyers to assume that a property built in the last decade is defect free. The reality is that we often find more latent defects in modern homes than in Victorian ones. Issues with snagging that were never addressed, poorly installed cavity wall insulation leading to interstitial damp, and non compliant fire barriers in new build apartments are common.
Never assume age equals quality.
Myth 4: The Survey is Just a List of Reasons to Worry Clients often call us sounding panicked after reading a report full of Condition Rating 3 (Red) flags. Every house has issues. Even a perfect home will have maintenance requirements.
The report is a risk management tool designed to help you prioritize. We categorise findings so you know what is a Sunday afternoon DIY job versus what is a call a structural engineer immediately job.
Myth 5: I Should Just Hire the Cheapest Surveyor You get what you pay for. A cheap surveyor is often under pressure to produce high volumes of reports, leading to templated text that lacks specific local insight.
Stokemont operates on a foundation of integrity and ethics. We average a five star service review every three days because we provide detailed, bespoke reports.
You want a surveyor who understands local geology, such as the shrinkable clays of London or the specific structural nuances of Marylebone and Surrey.
If you want to obtain a fixed Home Survey Quote instantly, use our service quotation link today.
