A significant new development has landed in the residential surveying world. Skyline Surveyors have launched the Home Insight Survey — the first structured seller-commissioned survey in England and Wales.
Seller’s surveys are not new internationally. Scotland has long utilised its Single Survey system as part of the mandatory Home Report, and countries such as France, Norway, and Sweden have demonstrated that upfront information makes transactions faster, smoother, and far less likely to fail. Until now, though, sellers in England and Wales have had no equivalent option.
With around 30% of transactions currently collapsing and average transaction times stretching to 22 weeks, the potential benefits are clear. By comparison, Scotland’s upfront system sees straightforward sales complete in just 6–8 weeks, with far fewer abortive costs.
The question of trust is often raised. Will buyers accept a report commissioned by the seller? Evidence suggests yes. Research from the Department for Business found that 89% of buyers would find a seller’s survey helpful. In Scotland, very few buyers commission an additional survey once the Single Survey has been provided.
For surveyors, the model opens up a vast new client base: sellers themselves. For estate agents and conveyancers, it promises smoother pipelines and earlier clarity on material information, including climate-related risks.
Skyline deserves recognition for being first to market and showing real leadership in this area. Their initiative is fully aligned with the RPSA’s inspection and reporting standards, offering a low-risk, pay-per-click entry point for surveyors who want to try the model.
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Our Chairman, Andrew McColl, has written a detailed blog exploring why sellers’ surveys could be a genuine game-changer for surveyors, agents, and clients alike. Read the full article here: Click Here.
