Making property surveys mandatory for homes listed for sale in England could increase demand for surveyors by around 40% according to new research from Property Inspect.
The study found that 58% of homeowners who purchased a property in the past 12 months commissioned a survey before completion. If surveys were required for every property brought to market, the sector could see a sharp rise in demand.
The proposal mirrors Scotland’s long-established system, where sellers must provide a Home Report – including a survey – before marketing a property.
Supporters argue the approach improves transparency and can reduce delays and fall-throughs in the sales process.
CAPACITY CRISIS
However, a significant increase in survey demand would have major implications for the profession, including pressure on capacity, training pipelines and turnaround times.
England currently has an average survey cost of around £505, compared with £368 in Scotland where surveys are mandatory. Any change to regulation could therefore reshape pricing dynamics across the sector.
Sián Hemming-Metcalfe, operations director at Property Inspect, says the scale of potential demand should not be underestimated.
“A 40% increase in survey demand is not a marginal adjustment. Based on current transaction volumes in England, it would mean hundreds of thousands of additional surveys every year. That level of expansion would materially affect capacity planning, commercial models and professional indemnity exposure across the sector.”
PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS
And she adds: “Greater transparency at listing could help reduce duplication and improve certainty in a market where fall-through rates remain persistently high. But reform cannot focus solely on efficiency.
“It must also ensure that training standards, duty of care and lender alignment evolve alongside volume, so that increased access strengthens quality rather than compressing it.
“Surveys are not compliance paperwork. They involve technical judgement and legal responsibility. If mandatory provision is to be considered, it must enhance professional standards while improving consumer confidence.”
