A Homebuyer Survey is often a lot cheaper than a Building Survey, the reason for this is that it is intended purely for your standard residential building, houses, flats and bungalow. These buildings need to be conventional in type and construction and to be seen to be in reasonable condition.
The Homebuyer Survey concentrates on the main essentials, i.e. problems that need to be repaired straight away or are going to have to be carried out in the very near future, it also covers a lot of other aspects as well, but not in so much depth. What it also will tell you straight away is whether you should really be buying the property if it does have building issues, some will also suggest the rough price of the work that needs to be carried out so you can then reduce these costs against your offer.
The final thing that we can suggest is that you get the best report that your budget can stretch to. A few pounds spent now could be a few thousand pounds saved later!
These companies below offer these services:
www.surveyorsreports.co.uk
www.reallymoving.com
www.surveyorandvaluer.co.uk
www.buildingsurveys.co.uk