Legal And General Surveying Services Reviews

So, you’re thinking about buying a house? Or maybe you’re just obsessively checking RightList again at 2 AM. Either way, you’ve probably stumbled across the name Legal & General Surveying Services.

Let’s be real: getting a survey is about as exciting as watching paint dry. But if that paint is hiding a leaky roof, you need to know. So, grab your coffee, and let’s chat about what people are actually saying about them.

The Big Question: Are They Any Good?

Short answer? Mostly yes. Long answer? It’s a bit of a mixed bag—like a bag of your favorite chips, but some of them are a little stale.

People usually hire them for a RICS Home Survey (that’s a Level 2 or Level 3 survey, for the nerds like me). And honestly, most customers say the reports are thorough.

One reviewer gushed about how the surveyor found a damp issue that three other people missed. He called it “a lifesaver.” Dramatic? Maybe. But so is a £10,000 repair bill you didn’t see coming.

The Good Stuff: What People Love

First, the speed. Legal & General are champs at getting the survey booked fast. You don’t want to wait three weeks while a seller gets cold feet, right?

Second, the digital reports are slick. They come with photos, traffic light codes (red = bad, green = fine), and even a summary for your mortgage lender. It’s very “millennial-friendly,” if that’s a thing.

One buyer told me, “I felt like I was getting a cheat sheet for the house.” And who doesn’t love a good cheat sheet?

The Not-So-Good: Common Complaints

Okay, let’s be real for a second. Not every review is a five-star love letter. Some people are annoyed.

The biggest gripe? Communication lag. You might email the support team and hear crickets for two days. That’s frustrating when you’re in a chain and everyone is screaming at you.

Also, a few reviews mention surveyors being “too brief.” One guy said the surveyor was in and out of his future home in 45 minutes. That’s quicker than my morning shower—and I’m not even inspecting a roof.

Price: Is It Worth It?

Legal & General isn’t the cheapest, but they aren’t the priciest either. They’re like the mid-range sushi of surveying—good quality, but you know you’re paying a bit for the name.

A basic Level 2 survey (for a standard house) can run you £400-£600. A Level 3 (the full works) can hit £700 or more. Ouch? Yeah, a bit.

But here’s the thing: saving money on a survey is like buying a parachute at a yard sale. Just don’t do it. One review said a cheap survey missed a rotten floor. The repair cost more than the survey itself. So, you decide.

A Pro Tip from the Trenches

If you book with them, ask for a specific surveyor. No, seriously. You can request someone with local knowledge.

Why? Because a surveyor from London might not know that soil in Cornwall can slide downhill after rain. A local pro knows that a damp course isn’t just a “cosmetic issue.”

One Reddit user bragged that his surveyor even told him which nearby pubs served good Sunday roasts. That’s the kind of value you can’t put a price on.

The Verdict: Should You Use Them?

Look, I’m not here to sell you anything. But if you want a survey from a big, reliable company with decent online tools, Legal & General is a solid bet.

Just manage your expectations. You might not get a hand-written love letter from the surveyor. But you will get a report that tells you if your dream home has a wet dream (i.e., rising damp).

And remember: no survey is perfect. Even the best ones miss things. So, use the report as a guide, not a gospel. And for heaven’s sake, walk around the house yourself. Smell the air. Check the loft. Bring a friend who actually knows what a truss looks like.

Final Random Thoughts

Oh, and one more thing: Legal & General is actually an insurance giant. They started doing surveys to make sure their mortgage customers weren’t buying disasters. So, ironically, they’re cautious by nature.

That means their reports sometimes feel a bit defensive. Like, “We can’t guarantee this house won’t spontaneously combust.” Which is fine—but don’t let it scare you off a house that’s actually fine.

In the end, it’s just a tool. A very expensive, very boring, but very necessary tool. Use it wisely.

Now, go drink your coffee before it gets cold. And maybe call that estate agent?