Top 5 building inspectors in Newcastle delivering in-depth property checks
House-hunting is all fun and games until the ceilings creak, the tiles wiggle, and you start questioning everything. That’s when it’s time to call in a professional, specifically, a building inspector.
These experts can spot red flags that most of us would overlook and ignore. They’ve got the trained eye you need, from structural cracks to sneaky plumbing issues.
And before you make a big investment, double-check what’s hiding behind the walls. That’s when building inspectors in Newcastle give you peace of mind before you sign anything big.
| How much does a building inspector charge in Newcastle? A building inspector in Newcastle typically charges between £350 and £700 for a standard Level 2 HomeBuyer Report. Meanwhile, a more detailed Level 3 Building Survey ranges from £500 to £1,000. |
1. Assure Building Control
Address: C2, Kingfisher House, Kingsway N, NE11 0JQ
Contact Details: +441914820555
Business Hours:
- Monday to Thursday: 9 AM – 4:30 PM
- Friday: 9 AM – 3 PM
As a Corporate Approved Inspector licensed by the Construction Industry Council, Assure Building Control is not tied to Newcastle Council borders. So, if your project touches neighbouring regions or crosses multiple sites, they’re one of the few who can manage that smoothly.
What caught our attention, though, was how fast they worked. Thanks also to their tie-up with HBXL design software, we got our plans reviewed and approved in just seven days.
One thing we found super helpful was having the same named surveyor from start to finish. It sounds simple, but that personal continuity made all the difference. It felt like we had someone genuinely invested in our build, rather than just going through the motions.
They also went beyond just checking boxes. During the design phase, they flagged unnecessary overspecs in our insulation plan and even showed us how to tweak the layout to gain more usable space without upping the budget.
If there’s a drawback, your experience depends heavily on which inspector you get. We lucked out with a great one, but that single-point-of-contact strength can weaken if they’re stretched thin or reassigned mid-way.
Extremely helpful by giving friendly advice
“Brilliant company to deal with. My project (small side extention) took a long time to complete due to delays in making my hardwood sapele windows, but Assure continued to support and give advice until it was finally completed last week. My surveyor was Nick Paley who was extremely helpful giving friendly advice all through the build period. Cannot recommend highly enough, thanks Nick and team 😀”
- Philip Hoyle, Google Review
Very helpful in resolving potential issues
“I am a local builder from Newcastle who uses this company for my projects, I mainly deal with Jon as he coves anywhere north of the Tyne. Jon and the company as a whole are easy to book visits with, very helpful in resolving potential issues and getting the work signed off. I would recommend giving them a try for your own projects.”
- Gary Yeoman, Google Review
2. Cosey Homes Chartered Surveyors
Address: Merchant House, 30 Cloth Market, NE1 1EE
Contact Details: +441913003090
Business Hours:
- Monday to Friday: 9 AM – 5 PM
Cosey Homes stands out for offering all three RICS survey levels with transparent pricing online: Level 1 starts at £360, Level 2 at £400, and Level 3 from £550. It’s one of the few Newcastle firms that doesn’t hide fees or make you call for a quote.
One feature we found genuinely useful is their traffic-light reporting format. It clearly breaks down urgent, moderate, and low-risk issues. It’s great if you don’t want to sift through pages of technical jargon.
Another thing we appreciate is their no-referral-fee policy. Since they don’t take commissions from estate agents, there’s less worry about biased reporting.
Also, their Newcastle team offers a fast turnaround, typically delivering reports in 5–7 working days. You can also add extras like damp or structural movement checks. It’s great for tailoring the report without being pushed to overspend.
Just a heads-up: the instant online quote isn’t always the final price. Adjustments can happen after booking based on property size or location, so it’s worth confirming exact figures before locking it in.
Excellent and very clear
“Of all the companies we emailed Cosey Homes were the only ones to respond. Booked online they liased with the seller to arrange the best date. Peter our Surveyor called on completion of the survey and gave us a heads up what we could expect in the report. The report was excellent very clear and filled with information. Fantastic service very pleased.”
- Amanda Walton, Google Review
Attentive and proactive
“Our surveyor, Peter Jones, provided a great service. He was so thorough and gave a really comprehensive breakdown of issues noted on our structural survey over the phone the day after the survey and was happy to answer a number of questions for us. He was polite and courteous. We received a full report within 5 working days of the survey as agreed. Staff on phoneline were attentive and proactive.”
- Julie Trimble, Google Review
3. North East Surveyors and Engineers
Address: Portland House, Belmont Business Park, DH1 1TW
Contact Details: +441914825902
Business Hours:
- Monday to Saturday: 9 AM – 9 PM
North East Surveyors and Engineers offers a fully in-house team of surveyors, engineers, planners, and even architects. We like how this setup streamlines everything, especially when technical input or quick repair estimates are needed mid-process.
Their availability is another standout. They’re contactable seven days a week from 9 AM to 9 PM. This is a huge plus when you need fast advice or have last-minute questions that can’t wait for office hours.
We also love how investor-friendly they are. They’re the only firm in the North East with a dedicated team for buy-to-let clients, including those based overseas, handling everything from sourcing to project oversight.
However, please note that their prices are only indicative and not locked in. For example, a Level 3 quote started at £625, but due to the property’s age and specification, they had to take extra steps to finalise costs.
On the survey side, their thermal imaging is top-tier. They accurately flag heat-loss zones and provide detailed feedback on spray-foam risks. The free repair cost schedule included with the reports was also a pleasant surprise, especially since some firms charge extra.
Very knowledgeable and incredibly helpful
“Gary recently came out to help find our issues causing the cold of our home. He found so much insulation not put in correctly and to the wrong spec by the builder. He was very knowledgeable, incredibly helpful and I wouldn’t hesitate to get in touch with him again about anything else.”
- Kathryn Twinn, Google Review
Knowledgeable regarding the roof issues
“Very pleased I made contact with this company. Gary is very knowledgeable regarding the roof issues I have and has helped me to work through them, aiming to get to an acceptance of my property by a mortgage company for a re- mortgage. Would highly recommend to anyone needing advice and help with building circumstances and issues that need to be dealt with. Thanks Ne S & E”
- Jerry Castle, Google Review
4. Edward Watson Associates
Address: 2 Osborne Rd, Jesmond, NE2 2AA
Contact Details: +441912812444
Business Hours:
- Monday to Friday: 9 AM – 5 PM
This family-run firm has been operating in the North East since 1873. That 150-year legacy gives them unmatched familiarity with local property quirks, especially older or heritage buildings.
The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) fully regulates them and is led by Paul McSkimmings MRICS, a chartered surveyor and RICS valuer since 2000. We like that he often performs the inspections himself, offering hands-on expertise instead of passing it down the line.
Another strong point is that they cover more than just residential surveys. They also do Help-to-Buy valuations, SIPP and probate reports, and expert witness services for legal cases.
Helen McSkimmings, who has been with the firm for over 15 years, coordinates the office. Her deep knowledge of their systems and clients means queries and reports move faster than you’d expect from larger firms.
However, pricing is higher. L2 surveys are quoted from £660, and L3 can reach up to £1,250. It’s not the most budget-friendly option if you’re shopping purely on cost.
Service was very fast and efficient
“We recently had need for a survey when purchasing a house. The service we received from Helen and Paul was exemplary from the initial contact to the end report. The service was very fast and efficient. Everything was very clear and well explained, both the process and the survey content. Even after the survey was completed we had ongoing questions relating to the house purchase which we drew on Paul’s expertise for. He made himself available to help us and offered honest, open advice. If we were in need of such a service again I’d immediately call upon Edward Watson Associates.”
- Jude Robinson, Google Review
Quick to respond to enquiries
“I was recommended Edward Watson Associates by a friend who recently used them and the recommendation was bang on! Helen was so quick to respond to enquries and Paul did a fantastic job with the final report. It not only showed the issues, but how they could be addressed. In total the report was completed in about eight days!”
- Simon Hirst, Google Review
5. Ross Elliott Surveying
Address: 1 Beechwood Ave, NE3 5DH
Contact Details: +441914298564
Business Hours:
- Monday to Friday: 9 AM – 5 PM
Ross Elliott Surveying is run entirely by Ross himself—a former carpenter, seasoned builder, and RICS Chartered Surveyor. That mix of hands-on trade knowledge and professional accreditation gives his surveys an edge in depth and practicality.
Ross’s rare dual background sealed the deal for us. He started as a carpenter before becoming an RICS Chartered Surveyor in 2005. That deep, first-hand building knowledge shows in his thorough work.
His Level 3 building surveys go way beyond the basics, starting from £1,150 + VAT and often running over 100 pages. You’ll get drone roof photos, thermal scans, and even costed repair estimates.
He also offers party wall services and retrofit design and acts as CDM Principal Designer for commercial clients. This wider skillset makes him especially useful if your purchase involves renovation plans or legal considerations.
One thing to keep in mind is that availability can be tight since Ross handles everything personally. During busy months, we noticed it could take up to three weeks to secure a slot.
Provides lots of illustrative photos and useful details
“We were extremely pleased to have instructed Ross to produce a Level 3 survey and report for a 1930s residential property in Gosforth. His report was very promptly produced, impressively thorough, with a lot of illustrative photos and useful details. He also offered helpful recommendations for improvements to the property, along with cost estimates and timeframes. The report was very easy to understand for non-experts too. We had a 1.5-hour follow-up phone call with him to address all of our questions, and he was always patient and knowledgeable throughout. We also got the impression that he actually really enjoys and is passionate about his work, which explains his professionalism and expertise. We will certainly contact Ross for our future property dealings. Thank you again, Ross!”
- Kim S., Google Review
Happy and eager to answer any queries
“I’m so glad that I opted to have Ross carry out a RICS level 2 Homebuyer’s Survey on my behalf. As a first time buyer, he’s made this part of the process seamless. He offers useful advice and explains things in terms that can be understood so that you definitely have all of the information required to consider whether you want to purchase the property.
Not only this but Ross is timely with getting the report back to you and is happy and eager to answer any queries that you may have. He is also thorough with his searches and presents his findings in terms of what you should prioritise should you go ahead with buying the property. Ross was recommended to me by a friend and, I too, would definitely recommend his services to anyone.”
- Charlotte Bainbridge, Google Review