Homes in St Ives
St Ives is famous for the fishermen's cottages of Downalong, a maze of granite and rendered houses with slate roofs crammed onto the slopes above the harbour. Many have been converted into holiday lets, and a large number are listed or within the conservation area. Above the old town are Victorian terraces and villas built after the railway arrived, many of them now guest houses or flats.
Carbis Bay and Lelant offer larger detached homes and modern replacement houses with sea views, while Hayle across the estuary has more affordable terraces and a major harbourside regeneration. Planning policy in St Ives restricts new-build homes to principal residences, which affects resale. Exposure is severe on cliff-top and harbour sites, and older properties often show weathering to render, windows and chimneys.
Areas we cover include Carbis Bay, Lelant, Halsetown, Hayle, Downalong.
What surveyors look out for in St Ives
- New-build homes may carry a principal residence condition that bars holiday or second home use
- Holiday lets may have planning, business rates and fire safety issues to check
- Radon is high across the granite of West Cornwall
- Listed cottages in Downalong need consent for repairs that change their character
Which survey for a St Ives home?
Most St Ives cottages warrant a Level 3 Building Survey, and buyers of new homes should check any principal residence restriction with their conveyancer before committing.
| Survey | Best for | From |
|---|---|---|
| Level 2 Home Survey | Most conventional homes | £395 |
| Level 2 Home Survey + valuation | Adds market value and rebuild cost | £495 |
| Level 3 Building Survey | Older, altered or unusual homes | £595 |
| RICS valuation only | Price check, probate, family matters | £295 |
Compare them in Level 2 vs Level 3.
Survey prices in St Ives by property value
| Property value | Level 2 | Level 2 + valuation | Level 3 | valuation only |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Up to £100k | £395 | £495 | £595 | £295 |
| £100k - £150k | £425 | £525 | £650 | £310 |
| £150k - £200k | £450 | £560 | £695 | £325 |
| £200k - £250k | £475 | £595 | £750 | £345 |
| £250k - £300k | £525 | £650 | £825 | £375 |
| £300k - £400k | £575 | £715 | £895 | £395 |
| £400k - £500k | £650 | £795 | £995 | £450 |
| £500k - £750k | £775 | £950 | £1,195 | £525 |
| £750k - £1m | £925 | £1,125 | £1,450 | £625 |
| £1m - £1.5m | £1,150 | £1,395 | £1,795 | £795 |
| Over £1.5m | On request | On request | On request | On request |
Fixed prices including VAT. Some large or unusual properties may be priced individually - we confirm your price before you pay.
How booking works
- Tell us the property
Two minutes online. You see a fixed price before you send anything.
- We secure a surveyor
We check local RICS and RPSA surveyors' diaries and lock in the earliest slot.
- One call to confirm
We take the estate agent's details and your payment, then arrange access.
- Report delivered
Your surveyor inspects and sends the report, usually within a few working days.
House surveys in St Ives: FAQs
How much does a house survey cost in St Ives?
Our fixed prices in St Ives start from £395 for a Level 2 Home Survey, £495 with a valuation and £595 for a Level 3 Building Survey. The exact price depends on the property's value, and you see it before you book.
Which areas around St Ives do you cover?
We book surveyors across St Ives, including postcode districts TR26, TR27, and nearby towns such as Penzance, Camborne, Newquay.
Which survey should I get for a home in St Ives?
Most St Ives cottages warrant a Level 3 Building Survey, and buyers of new homes should check any principal residence restriction with their conveyancer before committing.
How quickly can a surveyor visit a property in St Ives?
We aim to confirm a local surveyor within one working day of your request and book the earliest slot the estate agent can offer. Inspections often happen within a week, depending on access.
Guides for St Ives buyers
Radon and buying a house
Buying in a radon affected area? What radon is, how to check a property, the UKHSA action and target levels, testing and typical fixes.
Choosing a surveyBuying a listed building: which survey do you need?
Buying a listed building? Why a Level 3 survey from a surveyor with historic building experience matters, plus consent risks to check.
Choosing a surveySurveys for Victorian and period homes
Which survey to get on a Victorian, Edwardian or Georgian home, the defects surveyors commonly find, and how to plan for repairs.
Choosing a surveyBuying a flat: which survey and what to check
Which survey to get when buying a flat, what a surveyor can and can't inspect in a block, and the lease and building checks that matter.