What are the costs of a structural survey for your first home?

How much does a structural survey cost?

At most inspection companies, a structural survey costs a few hundred euros. The costs for structural surveys vary, as each company charges its own rate. With the homeup partner, you pay afixed price of €450including VAT. This way, you know exactly what you will be paying in advance. At other companies, the price increases for a large or older home. Additional investigations, for example into the foundation, are extra. Therefore, compare not only the price but also what is included in the survey.

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What determines the price of a structural survey?

At most inspection companies, the costs of structural surveys depend on three things: property type and surface area, age and condition, and additional investigations. The more there is to inspect, the more hours the inspector needs. As a result, one survey may turn out cheaper than another. Below, you can read how each factor affects the price:

• How do property type and surface area affect the price?
• How do the age and condition of the property play a role?
• Which additional investigations increase the costs?

How do property type and surface area affect the price?

The larger the home, the more a survey costs. For instance, an apartment is cheaper to inspect than a detached house because it has fewer square meters and building components to check. That is why many inspection companies charge a base rate up to a certain surface area. Above that area, you pay a surcharge. That base rate is usually enough for the apartment or terraced house of a first-time buyer.

How do the age and condition of the property play a role?

For an older house or one with visible deferred maintenance, the survey costs more. It takes the inspector more time because more building components require attention. For example, they will inspect a 1930s house with wooden window frames more thoroughly than a new-build property. You will see those extra hours reflected in the price. Therefore, keep a higher price in mind for an older home.

Which additional investigations increase the costs?

Additional investigations are charged on top of the base rate. In a standard survey, the inspector only assesses what they can see. If you want more certainty about a specific component, that costs extra. A frequently requested example is a foundation investigation when there are cracks in the facade. A moisture measurement or an asbestos inventory also fall outside the standard survey. Therefore, pay attention to which investigations are included in the quote to avoid surprises later on.

What do you get for your money with a structural survey?

With a structural survey, you receive an inspection and a structural report. The homeup inspection partner examines the home from foundation to roof, including all installations. Such an inspection takes an average of one hour. In the report, you will find:

• Under defectsit states what is wrong with the roof, walls, window frames, and installations.
• Under repair costsit provides an estimate of what the repair will cost for each defect.
• In the maintenance adviceyou can read what maintenance is needed in the short and long term.
• Points of attentionit states what you should look out for, such as moisture or wood rot.

You will usually receive the report within a few working days after the inspection. The defects section often includes photos. This way, you know what costs to expect later before you make your offer.

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Is a structural survey tax-deductible or can it be included in the mortgage?

A structural survey conducted before purchase is not tax-deductible. If you require the survey for your mortgage, the costs are deductible. This also applies to a survey for theNational Mortgage Guarantee(NHG). This distinction is made in thetax authority's cost overview. You can look up your situation in the table to see what is deductible.

Whether you can include the survey in your financing depends on your borrowing capacity and the market value. If that is not possible, you pay for the survey out of your own pocket. This is how most first-time buyers also pay for the rest of theirpurchasing costs. These are the additional costs on top of the purchase price, such as the notary and thevaluation.

What portion of your closing costs goes toward the structural survey?

With homeup, €450 of your closing costs goes toward the structural survey. That is a small amount compared to the total closing costs of around €12,000. That €12,000 applies to a first-time buyer using homeup, excluding transfer tax. In addition to the survey, you also paynotary fees, valuation fees, and advisory fees. Together, these items make up the largest part of the amount. Moreover, many first-time buyers under 35 do not pay transfer tax, thanks to thefirst-time buyer exemption. If you choose abuying agent, you pay a fixed price with homeup.

Just because the survey is a small expense doesn't mean you should skip it. For those few hundred euros, you can discover defects before you buy. Those defects could otherwise cost you thousands of euros in repairs or renovations later on. This could involve, for example, a leaking roof, wood rot, or a subsiding foundation. And as a first-time buyer, you often have little financial buffer after the purchase. Do you want to know the total cost of your first home?Schedule a free consultation.

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How does homeup help you with the inspection of your first home?

homeup helps you by arranging the structural inspection through a trusted partner. homeup does not perform inspections itself, as it is not an inspection company. As your buying agent, we also guide you through the rest of your purchase. Here is what homeup handles for you:

• Our trusted partnerschedules the structural inspection, and you will receive the report afterward.
• Your financingis sorted in advance because homeup arranges amortgage certificatefor you.
• All buyers on the homeup platformare financially screened in advance. That makes your offer stronger.
• You only pay for our guidanceat thekey handover.

Buyers at homeup purchase a home three months faster on average. This is because you can act quickly with a strong offer and pre-arranged financing. Also read aboutwhen an inspection is necessary. We also explain how toinclude the inspection in your offer. Would you like to arrange the inspection through homeup?Contact us.