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Home Survey SolutionsRICS Registered · Margate
4.9 · 29 Google reviews

Know exactly what you’re buying.

Independent RICS building surveys across Thanet & east Kent, carried out and written personally by Ian Pulman Assoc RICS — 20 years in the construction industry. Reports are typically with you within 3–5 business days.

Get a fixed quote
typical report turnaround
3–5 daystypical report turnaround
in construction
20+ yrsin construction
surveyor, start to finish
1surveyor, start to finish
A row of pastel-painted Victorian seaside terraced houses with bay windows and sash windows
Bay windows, sash frames and solid walls — the seaside housing stock across Thanet, and the reason a Level 2 or 3 survey is usually the right call here.
  • RICS Registered surveyor
  • Reports in 3–5 business days
  • Covering Thanet & east Kent
  • Follow-up call included

RICS Home Survey Standard

Three levels of survey. One of them is right for your property.

Not sure which? Call and describe the property — we will tell you honestly, including when the cheaper survey is the right one.

Level 1

RICS Condition Report

A straightforward snapshot of the property's condition, with issues rated by urgency. No valuation and no advice on repairs.

Best for

Newer, conventional homes in visibly good order, where you mainly want reassurance that nothing serious has been missed.

Includes

  • Condition ratings 1–3 on every element
  • Clear summary of urgent defects
  • Risks to the building and to you
  • Photographs of anything flagged

Report usually within 3–5 business days of the inspection

What this covers

Level 2

Most popular

RICS HomeBuyer Report

The middle option and the one most buyers choose. A full inspection of a conventional property with condition ratings, advice on what needs doing, and what it is likely to cost.

Best for

Traditional houses and flats in reasonable condition, built from common materials and not visibly altered or extended.

Includes

  • Everything in a Condition Report
  • Advice on repairs and ongoing maintenance
  • Issues to raise with your solicitor
  • Photographs throughout the report
  • A phone call afterwards to talk it through

Report usually within 3–5 business days of the inspection

What this covers

Level 3

Most thorough

RICS Building Survey

The most detailed survey available. A comprehensive investigation of the construction and condition of the property, explaining not just what is wrong but why — and what it will take to put right.

Best for

Older, larger, listed, unusual or heavily altered properties, anything in poor repair, and any property you intend to extend or substantially renovate.

Includes

  • In-depth analysis of defects and their causes
  • Likely cost of repairs
  • Maintenance advice for the years ahead
  • Consequences of not carrying out work
  • Extensive photographs and explanation
  • Unlimited follow-up questions by phone

Report usually within 3–5 business days of the inspection

What this covers

Every survey is quoted as a fixed fee based on the property’s size, age and type. No hourly rates.

Why clients choose us

The report is the product. Everything here is about making it useful to you.

A survey that arrives late, or that you cannot understand, has not done its job. These four things come up again and again in our Google reviews — so they are what we build the service around.

  • 3–5 daystypical report turnaround

    The report comes back fast

    Quick turnaround is the single most-mentioned thing in our Google reviews. Reports typically land within 3–5 business days of the inspection, and often sooner.

  • 1surveyor, start to finish

    You get Ian, not a call centre

    Every survey is carried out and written by Ian Pulman personally. The person who inspected your property is the person who answers the phone afterwards.

  • 4.9★from 29 Google reviews

    Written to be read

    Plain English, photographs of everything flagged, and a clear line between what matters now and what can wait. Clients repeatedly describe the reports as thorough but easy to understand.

  • 20+ yrsin the construction industry

    The call afterwards is included

    A survey is only useful if you understand it. Ring with as many questions as you like once you have read it — that conversation is part of the job, not an extra.

How it works

From first phone call to a report you understand.

  1. 01

    Call or send an enquiry

    Tell us the address, the type of property and roughly when you need it. You get a fixed quote — no hourly rates, no surprises.

  2. 02

    We agree the right level

    Level 2 suits most conventional homes; older or altered properties usually need a Level 3. If a cheaper survey is the right one for you, we will say so.

  3. 03

    The inspection

    Ian attends the property, liaising directly with the agent or vendor so you do not have to. You are welcome to be there and walk round with him.

  4. 04

    Your report, then a conversation

    The written report arrives by email, typically within 3–5 business days. Then call and go through it — as many times as you need.

Google reviews

4.9 out of 5, from 29 clients.

Read them all on Google
“Finding Ian's help and support invaluable. His report was top notch and he has the patience to support you beyond the report. As we're moving into the area, this is especially valuable to us. Thank you, Ian!”
Elaine Barton
“Engaging Ian to do my survey was a very reassuring experience whilst going through the rather worrying process of buying a new home. The written survey with photos was thorough, clear and easy to read. Having received my survey I had a few queries and Ian patiently answered these on the phone. Ian responds speedily to texts and emails. Very definitely recommend — as does my sister who used Ian a few weeks before me and recommended him to me.”
Alice Goodliffe
“We have received an outstanding service from Ian. He is incredibly professional and provided us with lots of advice which was paramount in our decision making. We had no idea that the loft of the house we were going to buy had bad fire damage and he provided us with a clear and in-depth video so we could see the extent. We have also recommended him to our friends who have booked him in for their survey!”
Lydia Del Renzio-Horsefield
“Very professional helpful surveyor, very prompt and efficient! Was able to bring my survey forward by 2 weeks when somebody else had cancelled. Very polite and great service provided. Was able to answer follow up queries afterwards, clarifying certain aspects of the report. Highly recommend!”
James Page
“I had an excellent experience with Ian — he was recommended through a colleague and I knew nothing of building surveys (having never bought a house before) and he went above and beyond what was asked. His report was extensive, detailed and personable, explaining things very clearly (so that even I could understand) with loads of photos to illuminate the issues being addressed. He responded to my enquiries and emails promptly, booked in the survey quickly, talked me through it afterwards and was super nice to boot. Highly recommend.”
Shelley Lang Biba
“Fantastic service from Ian — swift response time and very prompt follow up. It wasn't our cheapest quote but we went with Home Survey Solutions anyway because Ian seemed so much more on the ball, and I'm glad we did. Would recommend him to anyone, by far the most straightforward part of the whole housebuying process! Excellent job well done.”
David Woodhouse
Ian Pulman, Director & RICS Registered Surveyor

About the surveyor

You deal with Ian Pulman. Only Ian Pulman.

Ian Pulman Assoc RICS is a RICS Registered surveyor and the director of Home Survey Solutions Ltd, working from Cliftonville in Margate. He has spent over 20 years in the construction industry — which means he has seen how buildings are actually put together, and where they actually go wrong.

He also runs Specialist Damp Solutions Ltd, so when a survey turns up damp or timber decay you get a diagnosis from someone who deals with the remedial work day in, day out, rather than a referral to a contractor with something to sell you. He is also a Federation of Damp Certified Surveyor (FODCS), giving buyers specialist clarity in that department.

There is no team, no admin layer and no call centre. The person who inspects your property writes your report and answers the phone when you ring about it. That is deliberate, and it is the reason the reports come back as quickly as they do.

More about IanLinkedIn
RICS Registered
Assoc RICS member
FODCS
Federation of Damp Certified Surveyor
Based in Margate
Covering Thanet & east Kent
Independent
No lender, no agent, no ties

Beyond the survey

Other work we take on.

Much of this comes out of surveys — a defect that needs diagnosing properly, a neighbour’s extension that needs a party wall award, a renovation that needs someone to run it.

  • Damp & timber surveys

    Independent diagnosis of rising damp, penetrating damp, condensation and timber decay — and, through our sister company Specialist Damp Solutions Ltd, the remedial work to fix it. Ian is a Federation of Damp Certified Surveyor (FODCS), so you get a specialist's clarity on what's actually going on before anyone recommends work.

  • Party wall matters

    Notices, schedules of condition and awards under the Party Wall etc. Act 1996, acting for building owners or adjoining owners.

  • Renovation & extension advice

    Practical pre-purchase and pre-build advice on what a property can take, what it will involve, and what it is likely to cost.

  • Project management

    Running the job on your behalf — specifying works, tendering to contractors, and keeping the build on programme and on budget.

  • General building advice

    One-off inspections and written opinions on a specific defect, a disputed repair, or a decision you need to make quickly.

Where we work

Surveying Thanet & east Kent, from a base in Margate.

Being local is not a marketing line — it is why we can often get to a property within days rather than weeks, and why we already know what the housing stock in each of these towns tends to throw up.

397 Northdown Road, Cliftonville, Margate, CT9 3PE

  • Margate
  • Cliftonville
  • Broadstairs
  • Ramsgate
  • Westgate-on-Sea
  • Birchington
  • Herne Bay
  • Whitstable
  • Canterbury
  • Faversham
  • Sandwich
  • Deal
  • Dover
  • Ashford
  • Folkestone
  • Sittingbourne

Just outside this list? Message me on WhatsApp and ask — we often travel further for larger properties.

Common questions

The things buyers ask before they book.

Which survey level do I actually need?

For most conventional houses and flats in reasonable order, a Level 2 HomeBuyer Report is the right call. Choose a Level 3 Building Survey if the property is older, listed, has been significantly extended or altered, is in visibly poor repair, or if you plan major works. If you are unsure, ring and describe the property — we will tell you honestly, including when the cheaper option is the sensible one.

Is a survey the same as the mortgage valuation?

No. A mortgage valuation is carried out for your lender, to confirm the property is worth roughly what they are lending against. It is not a survey and it is not for your benefit. A HomeBuyer Report or Building Survey is commissioned by you, inspects the property properly, and tells you what is wrong with it.

How quickly can you get out to the property?

Usually within a few days, and often sooner if a slot opens up. Call and we will tell you exactly what is available rather than guessing.

How long until I get the report?

Reports are typically with you within 3–5 business days of the inspection. Level 3 Building Surveys can sit at the longer end of that range because there is considerably more to write up.

Can I ask questions once I have read it?

Yes, and you should. A phone conversation after you have read the report is included as standard — it is consistently the part clients say they valued most.

Do you have to deal with the estate agent, or do I?

We do. Once you have instructed us we contact the agent or vendor directly to arrange access, and work around everyone's schedule.

Get a quote

Tell us about the property. We’ll come back with a fixed fee.

Send us a message on WhatsApp anytime, and we will come back to you with an estimate.

Message me on WhatsAppSend a photo or a postcode
  • Monday to Friday, 8am – 5pm · Closed Saturday & Sunday
  • 397 Northdown Road, Cliftonville, Margate CT9 3PE
    Covering Thanet & east Kent
  • 4.9 from 29 Google reviews

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