If you are obtaining a mortgage for your property purchase a valuer will inspect the property on the lenders behalf to see whether it is worth the amount you are paying for it. This inspection is basic, and is unlikely to alter the purchase price.

You can often arrange for a more detailed survey known as a 'Home Buyers Report' for an additional fee. If at a later date you find a problem with the property that is not mentioned in the home buyers report you should be able to return to the surveyor for recompense.

If the property you are purchasing is quite old and you are particularly concerned about its condition you can obtain a full structural survey report which contains details over and above what is included in the home buyers report.