How long should I wait for the buyer to arrange a survey?

[Yongala35]

Hello,
I am looking for advice about length of time for a property survey to be arranged and performed.
Background.
I agreed a below price sale on 24/5/26. The purchaser needs a small mortgage which means a survey through building society. My house is top of a chain of 3. My new home is undergoing renovation which is nearly completed. I have instructed solicitors.
My question is : how long is it reasonable to wait for purchaser to arrange their survey?

What does your estate agent say? Did the agent see proof of funds before you accepted? Have they got a mortgage agreed in principle? Are they first time buyers who really understand what they are doing?

It's never too early to start pushing them for a date for the survey. (Assume that you mean the mortgage survey? They may want a house buyers survey too.)

Our buyers had both organized within a week, but they are v keen to get moving. Some people are slower and may well start to be a pain/get cold feet/look for price reductions. Get your agent to put some pressure on, and/or get ready to go back in the market if you don't get good answers. . .

Are they definitely doing a survey or just a valuation? If the latter could just be a "drive by". I would ask the EA to clarify wit the buyer and chase them a bit.

Mortgage valuations are sometimes done in a drive by or even from an office now. Thank covid for that.

Personal home buyers surveys aren't always done. My last house buyers never bothered.

If you are a bit worried then contact your EA, this is the sort of thing you pay them for.

That 10% commission estate agencies gouge us for: ask them! Haha make them earn their money.

Thanks for your replies. Food for thought.
My understanding is buyer has a mortgage in principle and requires a small mortgage loan- whatever that means, My estate agent appears fairly dynamic and confident that "it is sorted"

I've had an email from my solicitor this afternnon for TA6 and TA10. I was going to delay filling these forms in for 2 reasons.... prospective buyer hasn't commited any money yet and I don't want to rack up legal fees. Have a quotation for £3.5k for sale.
I was bewildered to be asked by buyer via estate agent if bushes/hedges will be maintained and cut back ahead of completion. Buyer might be driving past and keeping an eye on house.
i have arranged for a "deep clean" of my house including ovens when I leave house, I am leaving carpets,curtains,blinds and almost new white goods.
I think i have my whinging head on because of heat.

Just proceed as normal. The buyer doesn’t commit any money until exchange but your estate agent should have seen proof of deposit and mortgage in principle before letting you accept the offer. Fill the forms in, tell your estate agent that your renovations are nearing completion and you’ll probably be looking to complete in 6 weeks can they push the rest of the chain. If the buyers want a survey, they’ll get one sorted.

We had a delay with our survey because the agents I contacted weren’t getting back to me and it took a few weeks to find one that actually responded. Our buyer didn’t get one done and we didn’t push them to get one done. It’s the buyer’s risk if they aren’t getting a survey.

I was bewildered to be asked by buyer via estate agent if bushes/hedges will be maintained and cut back ahead of completion.
I suppose it shows willing.
Tell them that you can't cut hedges during the nesting season.

We’ve just ditched out buyers and gone back on the market as they didn’t arrange a survey and kept stalling. We didn’t believe they were serious about buying. They were also hard to get hold of and didn’t return calls. We got our offers same time as you.

Maybe they are waiting for TA6 and TA10 before arranging a survey? Can’t remember which is which, but as a buyer I would like to see the one with the disclosures, before paying for a survey. I’m currently selling and have a few doubts about my buyers, but have gone ahead with the forms, on the basis they would be used for the next buyer anyway if this one falls through. If they make no moves to a survey though in the next 2-3 weeks though I would consider going back on the market.

Thanks for replies.
I have completed TA6 and TA10. Solicitor will receive them with supporting documentation on Monday. I agree if no movement on survey by end of July then I will put house back on market.

If you mean the survey that's related to the mortgage, then the mortgage company will arrange that once the mortgage application is complete. So you should be asking whether they have completed their mortgage application.

You can't hold things up waiting for a home buyer survey as they might not be getting one.

How many agents do you know that charge 10% commission??!! 😂

If there has not been a survey planned/carried out in the next 7/10 days they are not serious and/or will mess you about nearer exchange/completion. Give everyone an ultimatum and mean it.

Looking back through emails, my house's previous highest bidder took 2 months NOT to get a survey before the agent phoned me and we re-entered the process. So any longer and I'd say they clearly aren't interested.

From experience of buyers who delayed survey /valuation and then pulled out, I would be a lot more pushy much sooner via your estate agent and/or solicitor if both sides have instructed them.

Thanks for your input.
I agree about delay but my house is going to be unavailable to estate agent/surveyor for a few days in July so I am reluctant to start pushing buyers yet. If no movement by Saturday 25th July I will contact agent to consider putting house back on market.
I think their survey is related to mortgage.
I am leaving £15k+ to replace new (carpets, curtains, roller blinds integrated white goods etc). Buyer is getting a very good deal. I have a feeling "a price renegotiation" will be asked for near the end of this process. My answer is a unequivocal no, either agreed sale price or back on the market.