General Property Valuation
You do not always need a survey. Sometimes you simply need to know what a property is worth. A General Valuation provides a professional, independent opinion on the market value of a property, and nothing else. It is not a survey and does not report on the condition of the building.
What is a General Valuation?
A General Valuation is a professional assessment of a property’s market value, carried out by a qualified valuer regulated by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS). The valuer visits the property, carries out a limited inspection, and produces a written report stating their professional opinion on its current market value.
It is important to be clear about what this service is and what it is not. A General Valuation tells you what the property is worth. It does not assess the condition of the building, identify defects, or provide any advice on repairs or maintenance. If you need information about the condition of a property, a survey is the appropriate service.
Before booking, we will ask you to confirm the purpose of your valuation. This is not a formality; the intended use of a valuation affects how it is prepared and whether this is the right service for your specific situation. Our team will confirm this with you before you proceed.
When Should You Get a General Valuation?
The General Valuation is a focused service with a defined and limited scope. It covers:
- A limited inspection of the property by a RICS-qualified valuer
- A professional opinion on the current market value of the property
- A written valuation report prepared in accordance with RICS standards
- A clear statement of the assumptions and conditions on which the valuation is based
- A valuation is often used for a purpose such as Help to Buy, Shared Ownership, Inheritance Tax, or Matrimonial purposes
It does not include any assessment of the property’s condition, identification of defects, or advice on repairs or maintenance.
What’s Included in a General Valuation?
The General Valuation is a focused service with a defined and limited scope. It covers:
- A limited inspection of the property by a RICS-qualified valuer
- A professional opinion on the current market value of the property
- A written valuation report prepared in accordance with RICS standards
- A clear statement of the assumptions and conditions on which the valuation is based
It does not include any assessment of the property’s condition, identification of defects, or advice on repairs or maintenance.
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How It Works
- Get a quote. Use our free online calculator to get an instant quote based on the property type and location. No obligation.
- Confirm the purpose of the valuation. We need to ensure this is the right service for your needs. Once confirmed and you have paid, the appointment can be booked.
- Your valuer carries out the inspection. A RICS-qualified valuer visits the property and carries out a limited inspection to inform their assessment.
- Receive your valuation report. Your written report is delivered promptly after the inspection, setting out the valuer’s professional opinion on the market value of the property.
How Does a General Valuation Compare?
A General Valuation sits apart from the survey services in the Countrywide range. Every other service, the RICS Home Survey Level 2, the RICS Home Survey Level 3, and the Level 2 with Valuation, includes an assessment of the property’s condition. A General Valuation does not. It is a standalone market value opinion only.
If you need both a condition assessment and a market valuation in a single visit, a RICS Home Survey Level 2 with Valuation combines both services and is likely to be the more practical choice. If you are buying a property and want to understand what you are taking on before exchange, a condition survey is the right service, not a General Valuation. For buyers who need both a detailed condition assessment and an independent valuation, our team can advise on the best approach before you book.
Why Choose Countrywide Home Surveys?
Countrywide Home Surveys is one of the UK’s largest surveying firms, with a nationwide network of RICS-qualified valuers who combine local market knowledge with the standards and accountability of a nationally recognised practice. Your valuer understands property values in your area, including the factors that influence them locally.
We are fully independent from mortgage lenders and estate agents. That independence matters for a valuation: you receive an objective, professional opinion on market value with no commercial interest in the outcome.
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If you need a clear, independent, professionally prepared opinion on what a property is worth, a General Valuation gives you exactly that. Get your free instant quote today with no obligation.
Frequently Asked Questions
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A General Valuation is a professional assessment of a property's market value, carried out by a RICS-qualified valuer. It tells you what the property is currently worth in the open market. It does not assess the condition of the property, identify defects, or provide any advice on repairs or maintenance.
A General Valuation provides a market value opinion only. A survey, such as a RICS Home Survey Level 2 or Level 3, assesses the condition of the property and identifies defects, risks, and maintenance requirements. They serve different purposes and are not interchangeable. If you are buying a property and want to understand its condition, you need a survey, not a valuation.
A General Valuation is not designed for buyers who want to understand the condition of a property before purchase. It is a limited service focused on market value only. If you are buying and want to protect yourself from unexpected defects or repair costs, a RICS Home Survey Level 2 or Level 3 is the appropriate service. If you want both a condition assessment and a valuation in one report, a RICS Home Survey Level 2 with Valuation covers both.
A General Valuation is most commonly used for Help to Buy equity loan exits, inheritance tax and probate purposes, divorce or legal settlements, remortgage support, and financial or accounting requirements where a professional opinion on market value is needed. It is appropriate where the purpose is financial or legal and condition is not a consideration.
No. A mortgage valuation is carried out on behalf of a lender to confirm a property is adequate security for a loan. A General Valuation from Countrywide Home Surveys is an independent assessment carried out on your behalf, for your specific purpose. The two are different in both purpose and instruction.
The inspection itself typically takes under an hour, reflecting the limited scope of the service. Your written report is usually delivered within a few working days of the inspection. The exact timescale may vary slightly depending on the property and the purpose of the valuation, and we will give you an indication when you book.