The process
From the survey to the bigger picture.
A clear journey through your property, its repair needs and your ambitions — with professional judgement before any cost advice is issued.
- 01
Tell us about the property
Share the address, the listing details, the work you are considering, photographs and any documents you have. A building survey can be added if you already have one, but it is not required.
- 02
Choose your report
Pick the depth of assessment that suits your decision. The Snapshot is a concise initial budget check; the Comprehensive Report is a detailed construction cost assessment for buyers considering substantial works.
- 03
We prepare and review your assessment
Your information is reviewed and a construction cost report is prepared using relevant pricing information and professional construction expertise. AI may assist with preparation, but every report is professionally reviewed before release.
- 04
Receive your report
The approved PDF becomes available securely through your dashboard. The Comprehensive Report includes a 15-minute clarification call. Turnaround targets begin once we have sufficient information and the order is accepted.
Survey and cost report
A construction cost report is not a building survey. You may need both.
A building survey helps you understand the condition of a property. Cost Before Keys helps you understand what the repairs and improvements you know about — or are considering — could cost.
Our professionally reviewed construction budgets complement the findings of your surveyor, helping you make sense of the potential financial commitment before buying.
A RICS building survey
- — Assesses property condition within the survey’s scope.
- — Identifies visible defects and potential concerns.
- — May recommend further investigations.
- — May provide repair-cost advice, depending on the service agreed.
- — Is undertaken by an appropriately qualified surveyor.
- — Provides professional condition-related advice.
A Cost Before Keys report
- — Reviews information supplied about the property.
- — Considers the buyer’s intended improvements.
- — Prepares indicative construction budgets.
- — Explains cost implications of reported defects.
- — Considers alternative construction approaches.
- — Identifies construction sequencing and cost dependencies.
- — Helps the buyer understand their potential expenditure.
- — Is professionally reviewed from a construction cost perspective.
Cost Before Keys does not replace an independent property survey, structural assessment, specialist investigation or property valuation.
In more detail
Property and survey information
Choose survey repairs, planned improvements or both. Save a listing link for reference, then upload your survey, brochure, floorplans or supporting documents privately.
A focused conversation
Survey findings are proposed with source references and kept separate from confirmed scope. Describe your improvements in the same conversation, without repeating overlapping work.
Requirements summary
Your brief updates as you go: works, priorities, specification, flags and anything still missing.
Professional costing
Indicative budgets are prepared by a construction cost professional, using approved pricing data where available and clearly identified, reviewed allowances where it is not — never AI-generated figures.
Secure delivery
Your report is delivered to your private account.