Moving Compared is warning homebuyers against cutting property surveys from their moving budget, as new Direct Line Home Insurance 2026 research reveals that 21% of recent buyers in England, Wales and Northern Ireland did not commission a survey before purchasing their most recent home.
The finding lands in a housing market already strained by slow transactions, fragile chains and rising moving costs. UK Government 2026 data shows the average home purchase now takes around 120 days, while one in three sales fall through and failed transactions cost the wider economy up to £1.5 billion a year.
The reasons buyers give for skipping surveys are often rooted in confidence or cost. Direct Line Home Insurance 2026 research found that among those who went without one, 21% trusted their own assessment of the property, 15% believed it was unnecessary because the home was a new build, and 14% said it was too expensive.
Yet the apparent saving can quickly unravel and the same research found that nearly half of property surveys identified issues, while one in twenty uncovered major problems. Buyers who commissioned a survey saved £2,600 on average, often by renegotiating the price or asking sellers to fix problems before completion.
Those who discovered issues after moving in spent £3,760 on average putting them right. The wider cost of moving leaves little room for avoidable surprises. Moving Compared says the survey should be seen less as another administrative cost and more as one of the few checks that can strengthen a buyer’s position before they are financially committed. It can provide the evidence needed to renegotiate, request repairs, walk away from a poor purchase or plan properly for future work.
Moving Compared is urging buyers to choose the level of survey based on the age, condition and complexity of the property, rather than defaulting to the cheapest route. Newer homes in good condition may only require a basic report, while older, altered or unusual properties may warrant a more detailed building survey.
