Pre-purchase building survey: buy with peace of mind
Have the property inspected by an independent expert before you commit. True condition of the building, hidden defects, costed works and room to negotiate — in a clear report within 48 hours.
Falling for a house shouldn't cost you a fortune
Unlike in the UK, a building survey is not a standard step of a French purchase: buyers typically see only the seller's mandatory diagnostics, which say almost nothing about the structure, the roof or damp. A fresh coat of paint can hide a structural crack, a leaking roof or a wiring installation long past its prime — and once you've signed, the surprises are yours to pay for.
The survey gives you, before you commit, an honest technical picture of the property: you buy with full knowledge, anticipate the works and negotiate with evidence in hand. It's the insurance of a calm purchase.
Buying with or without a survey changes everything
Without a survey
- You buy on the strength of a 30-minute viewing
- Hidden defects only show up after completion
- Unexpected works are 100% at your expense
- No costed arguments to negotiate the price
- The nagging stress of “did I make the right call?”
With PG Home Consulting
- You know the property's true condition before signing
- Defects are found while you can still act on them
- You anticipate and budget the works calmly
- You negotiate with technical evidence in hand
- You decide with a clear head — or walk away without regret
What I inspect during the survey
Structure & main works
Cracks, foundations, floors, signs of movement or subsidence.
Roof & timber frame
Condition of the covering, roof structure, flashings, risk of water ingress.
Damp & water ingress
Rising damp, condensation, water marks, ventilation.
Façades & joinery
Renders, façade cracks, condition and weather-tightness of windows and doors.
Technical installations
Electrics, plumbing, heating: age, condition and works to plan for.
Insulation & energy
Thermal performance, heat loss, realistic improvement options.
Building pathologies
Signs of dry rot, termites, fungi or progressive defects.
Compliance & recent works
Quality of past renovations, French regulatory points to watch.
Your survey in 4 simple steps
- 01
First conversation
You describe the property, your plans and your deadlines. I confirm feasibility and book the visit, usually within 48 to 72 hours.
- 02
On-site inspection
I inspect the property top to bottom (1 to 2 hours): structure, roof, damp, installations… You are welcome to join me.
- 03
Report within 48h
A written, illustrated report: findings, photos, works ranked by priority and a budget estimate.
- 04
Debrief & negotiation
We go through the conclusions together. You get concrete arguments to decide — and to negotiate the right price.
Found a property you love?
Let's talk today. I act fast to fit the deadlines of your purchase agreement.
A clear report you can act on immediately
“Excellent support with the survey of our house before buying. Thanks to the detailed report, we were able to negotiate the price. Thank you!”
Jean-Pierre D.
Pre-purchase survey — Bergerac
Independent expert
No ties to the seller or the estate agent. A 100% objective opinion, in your interest only.
25 years in building
Field experience that catches what an untrained eye misses.
An investment that pays
The survey often pays for itself in the very first price negotiation.
Everything about the pre-purchase survey
Is this the French equivalent of a UK building survey?
Broadly, yes. In France there is no routine equivalent of a RICS-style survey: buyers usually only receive the seller's mandatory diagnostics, which cover narrow regulatory points. This pre-purchase survey is the missing piece — an independent technical inspection of the whole building, commissioned by you, the buyer, to assess its true condition and the works ahead.
How is it different from the seller's mandatory diagnostics (DDT)?
The mandatory diagnostics (energy rating, asbestos, lead, termites…) are regulatory checks on specific points, provided by the seller. They say very little about the structure, the roof, damp or the overall condition. The pre-purchase survey is a global, independent assessment carried out for you, to help you decide and negotiate.
How long does the visit take, and when do I get the report?
The inspection usually takes 1 to 2 hours depending on the size of the property. You receive the detailed report within 48 hours — fast enough to fit the tight deadlines of a French purchase agreement (compromis de vente).
Can the survey really help me negotiate the price?
Yes. By objectively costing the works ahead, the report gives you factual arguments to renegotiate the price — or to walk away in full knowledge if the property carries too much risk. A single successful negotiation typically covers the cost of the survey many times over.
How much does a pre-purchase survey cost?
The fee depends on the type of property, its size and location. It is minor compared to the cost of an undetected defect (structural repairs or a new roof can easily exceed €15,000). Contact me for a clear, free quote tailored to your project.
Do you work on old farmhouses as well as apartments?
Yes — old stone houses, farmhouses, recent builds, apartments, renovation projects: my 25+ years in French building cover all construction types, including the older rural properties popular with international buyers.
Can you act quickly if I have already signed a compromis?
Yes. I know French purchase deadlines are tight: I can usually visit within 48 to 72 hours and deliver the report within 48 hours, so you can act before your cooling-off period or your conditions précédentes expire.
Which areas do you cover, and do you work in English?
I cover South-West France: Gironde (33), Dordogne (24), Lot-et-Garonne (47) and Landes (40) — around Bordeaux, Libourne, Bergerac, Sainte-Foy-la-Grande and Marmande. I regularly work with English-speaking clients.
Planning works after the purchase? See also my renovation project support and French property diagnostics.
A property in your sights? Let's check it before you sign
Contact me for a free, no-obligation first conversation. I act quickly to fit the deadlines of your purchase agreement.
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