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The Building Survey (which used to be called the Full Structural Survey) goes into greater detail within the inspection and the report, incorporating, in addition to those items of the Intermediate Survey, detailed information on the apparent history of any alterations undertaken, the construction and condition of the property, and highlighting other peripheral matters of likely future maintenance or repair.
A Building Survey, which is broadly comparable with the RICS Level 3 Survey (without valuation), the differences being defined within the Conditions of Engagement, is really the only option if the property is larger, older, of an unusual construction type, has been altered significantly or, for the property where the buyer intends to make alterations or have renovations carried out.
Again, as with the Intermediate Survey, which is broadly comparable with the RICS Level 2 Survey (without valuation), the differences being defined in the Conditions of Engagement, the Report documentation pack would include photographs, on a CD-ROM/DVD, and an explanatory caption schedule, to assist you in interpreting our findings, by being able to see what we have referred-to in the written Report.
In summary, the Building Survey, because of its greater unrestricted text , does give Stilings greater freedom to explore in depth the background of the construction of the property , how it has evolved into the building we see today etc., which is not possible within the more limited pre-formatted Intermediate Survey.