Home / Journey / Immediate pathway

Immediate pathway · survey found a problem

Your survey found a problem. What should you do?

A concerning result does not mean the purchase is over. It means you need better evidence before deciding whether to proceed, renegotiate or walk away.

This pathway explains how to respond to survey findings in England. It is education, not a structural or legal assessment of your specific property.

Start with the first lessonSee the full offers phase

Your route

Three lessons, in a sensible order.

Open each lesson for the explanation, questions and checklist. Every link is part of the full 48-step journey.

  1. 1

    For context

    Choose and Book Your Survey

    Understand what your survey level does and does not cover, so you know how much weight to give the finding.

  2. 2

    Now

    Review Survey Results

    Translate the rating and finding into the questions, quotations and further reports you actually need.

  3. 3

    Once you have evidence

    Negotiate and Agree the Sale

    Use the evidence to renegotiate the price, request repairs, or agree how to proceed.

Practise the decision

A concerning finding does not mean walk away — or proceed blind.

Try responding to a realistic finding before you face a real one.

Practise the decision

The survey found a possible subsidence risk. What now?

Your survey has flagged a moderate risk of subsidence and recommends a further structural engineer's inspection before proceeding.

What is the most useful next step?

Questions to carry with you

Keep the conversation useful.

Take these to your surveyor, conveyancer and lender before you decide how to proceed.

  • Is this fair wear and tear, a serious defect, or something requiring a specialist report?
  • What would it cost to fix, and who would normally pay — buyer or seller — in this situation?
  • Does this finding affect mortgageability or insurability, and have I told my lender and broker?
  • What is my walk-away point if further investigation confirms the worst case?

Once the evidence is in

Learn what happens before exchange.

Whether you proceed unchanged, renegotiate or walk away, understand what still needs to happen before the purchase becomes legally binding.

Open the exchange phase