Japanese knotweed survey and mortgage reports
At SE Knotweed, we survey a knotweed stand by confirming the species on site, measuring it against the RICS 3 metre zone, and recording its management category from A to D. The survey produces a costed treatment plan and a report a lender, solicitor or valuer can act on.
A knotweed survey costs from £150 to £500 for a domestic property, and we often credit the fee against the cost of treatment if you go ahead with the plan.
What does a knotweed survey include?
At SE Knotweed, a knotweed survey includes an on-site inspection, confirmation of the species, a measured record of the stand and the RICS 3 metre zone around it, and a written report giving the management category and a costed plan.
The report is written so a lender, solicitor or valuer can rely on it during a transaction. Get in touch to book a survey at your address.
How much does a survey cost?
A knotweed survey costs from £150 to £500 for a domestic property, depending on the site and travel. We frequently credit the fee against the treatment cost if you proceed, so please treat the range as indicative until we have the address.
A mortgage-report survey written to a lender's template sits at the higher end, and the survey cost page explains what moves the figure.
What are the RICS management categories?
The RICS Professional Standard 2022 grades a case from Category A to Category D by the risk to the property and its neighbours, replacing the older 1 to 4 risk bands and the 7 metre zone with a 3 metre zone.
The survey records the category for your site, which is the language a mortgage valuer and solicitor expect to read. Our RICS categories page sets out each band in full.
Which survey do I need for a mortgage?
For a mortgage you usually need a survey and management plan written to the lender's requirements, so the valuer can see the risk is being managed. We produce a mortgage-ready survey and report that sets out the category, the plan and the insurance-backed guarantee.
This is what most lenders ask for before they will lend against a property with knotweed on or near it.
What is a management plan?
A knotweed management plan is the written schedule of how the stand will be treated, monitored and guaranteed, produced from the survey findings. It names the method, the number of visits, the monitoring period and the guarantee term.
The management plan page explains what a lender and solicitor look for, and we issue the plan with every survey where treatment is advised.
How long does a survey take?
A site survey usually takes 30 to 60 minutes on site, and we issue the written report within a few working days, or faster where a sale is under time pressure.
The report includes photographs, the measured stand, the RICS category and the costed plan, so you have everything a solicitor or lender needs in one document. Contact us to arrange a visit.
RICS management categories A to D
The RICS Professional Standard 2022 grades a case from Category A to Category D by the risk to the property and its neighbours. The surveyor records the category for your site.
In this section
Common questions
- Do I need a survey before treatment?
- A survey confirms the plant and the extent of the stand, which a costed plan and a lender-accepted guarantee are built on. It is the sensible first step where a sale or mortgage is involved.
- Is the plant definitely Japanese knotweed?
- Several plants are mistaken for it. A survey confirms the species from the stem, leaf and growth habit, so you know for certain before spending on treatment.
- How quickly can you produce the report?
- For a sale under time pressure we can usually inspect and issue the report within a week. Contact us with the address and we will give a realistic date.
Book a survey and get a costed plan
Tell us the address and what a surveyor flagged. We confirm the plant, record the RICS category and set out the figures.