A building surveyor will tell you about the roof and the rising damp; plumbing and heating often gets a couple of lines. Our pre-purchase survey fills that gap: the boiler and its history, cylinder, radiators, controls, stopcock and visible pipework, all checked and reported in writing. It does not replace a full building survey, but it tells you what the plumbing and heating budget for your first year might look like, before you are committed.
What you can expect
- Boiler, cylinder, radiators and controls inspected
- Boiler make and age noted where visible
- Visible pipework, stopcock and waste checked
- Written summary of findings and likely work
- Honest assessment, independent of the sale
What we check
We look at the boiler and flue as far as they are visible, note the make and age from the badge, and check for service labels or any history left behind. Cylinders, tanks and immersion setups get inspected, along with the radiators and whether they look equal to the rooms they heat. We run the taps, test that the stopcock actually works, look for signs of leaks or past repairs on walls and ceilings, and check the heating system water for sludge. Under basins and baths, we inspect the visible waste.
What we cannot do
We do not lift floors, open walls or dismantle the boiler; the survey is a professional look at what can be seen and tested on the day, not a strip-down. Buried pipework stays buried until there is a reason to dig. It is not a gas safety certificate, and it does not replace a full building survey. Where something needs a closer look, we say so in the report rather than guessing at it.
After the visit
You get a written summary of the condition of everything we inspected, the issues found, and the work we would expect to follow, whether that is a service, a repair or a plan for a new boiler. Buyers use it to budget, to renegotiate, or simply to walk in with their eyes open. If you do go ahead with the purchase, quotes for any work we identified are free and in writing.
Survey fee and booking
The survey is a booked engineer visit, separate from a free quote for follow-up work. Call us to confirm the survey fee and available dates; we will explain the arrangements before you commit.
Frequently asked questions
I am already having a building survey. Do I need this too?
Building surveys cover services in passing; a plumbing and heating survey goes into the boiler and system in detail, so the two complement each other.
Can you test the boiler properly?
We check condition and operation as far as visible; the thorough option after you buy is a full boiler service by a Gas Safe registered engineer.
What about the wider system?
Our heating survey covers upgrades and planning once you own the place. We survey across East London, including Bethnal Green.
Need help with this service?
Tell us what you need and our East London team will talk you through the next step. Call for urgent help or send an enquiry for a free quote.