Building Surveys and Home Inspections in Southern France

We help English-speaking buyers gain peace of mind before buying a property by performing an in-depth inspection and highlighting any defects in a detailed report.

  • English-speaking RICS-qualified chartered surveyor
  • 20+ years of experience helping foreign buyers in France
  • Fast response and quick scheduling options
  • Detailed reports highlighting any property defects clearly

Fill in this form to request a property survey quote or 15 minutes of our time completely free, to discuss any concerns prior to purchasing a property.

    About Us

    • English-speaking RICS-qualified chartered surveyor
    • 20+ years of experience helping foreign buyers in France
    • Fast response and quick scheduling options
    • Detailed reports highlighting any property defects clearly

    A recent Google review:

    5/5 ⭐

    "I was very pleased with the results and all interactions I had with Eric at Southern France Surveys. The survey I received was more complete than I imagined. Eric is an experienced builder who understands old French properties and can suggest solutions/improvements including estimated costs. He takes his time to examine all aspects of a property including drone imagery. He even researches and includes seismic and flood details of the area. His suggestions helped me to prioritize projects and estimate renovation costs. Eric is a true professional who reacts quickly and goes beyond your requests to provide a complete survey. The money invested in Eric’s expertise was invaluable to my purchase decision. Thank you, Eric!"
    Joanne Korfhage
    Property Survey Client

    A pre-purchase survey can save you several tens of thousands of euros.

    Buying a home is often the most important purchase of our lives. But, unlike most other purchases, there is no money-back guarantee or return policy if you later find out that it does not live up to your expectations.

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    When you purchase a property in France, there are several compulsory diagnostic surveys that are legally required before a sale can be completed. These basic French building surveys check lead and asbestos levels, fungal or beetle infestations of any woodwork, and also include the Diagnostic Performance Energétique (DPE) test that relates to power consumption and insulation. They are commonly grouped together as a single report known as the Dossier de Diagnostic Technique (Technical Diagnostic File) or “DDT”.

    What is not included in these mandatory surveys is a study of the building itself and any structural defects.

    For peace of mind, most International buyers and increasingly many French buyers, also commission an independent building survey, which complements the DDT and gives total peace of mind before committing to a sale.

    Get your quote today

    What to expect from a Building Survey?

    For many years, Eric at Southern France Surveys has carried out hundreds of building surveys. Surveys are shared as an oral report on site or, more often, a written report in the format of a RICS (Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyor) Technical Due Diligence report.

    The survey will include a list of:

    • structural defects to walls, roofs, and woodwork, and any external barns, buildings, outhouses, or pools
    • other considerations (external risks from surrounding properties/landscapes)
    • hard-to-reach roof diagnostics – carried out using an aerial drone
    • the evaluation of improvement projects

    The information in this report puts buyers in a strong position to negotiate a price that reflects the true value of the property, taking every detail into account.

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    Fill in this form to request a property survey quote