RICS Level 2 Survey in Altham

Our Level 2 HomeBuyer Report provides a comprehensive visual inspection of all accessible areas of your Altham property. The survey examines the main structural elements including walls, roofs, foundations, and floors, while also assessing the condition of windows, doors, damp proofing, and insulation. Unlike a basic mortgage valuation, this report focuses on identifying defects that could affect the property's value or require costly repairs. Our surveyors systematically examine each element, documenting their findings with photographs and clear explanations.

Your survey report will include clear condition ratings for each area inspected: Condition Rating 1 means no repairs are currently needed, Condition Rating 2 indicates defects that require attention but are not serious, and Condition Rating 3 highlights serious defects or urgent repairs that need immediate action. This straightforward rating system helps you prioritise any remediation work and negotiate with sellers based on objective, professional assessments. Each rating comes with detailed descriptions of the issue and recommended next steps.

For Altham properties, our surveyors pay particular attention to common issues in the local housing stock. The majority of properties sold in Altham are terraced houses, many of which were constructed during the Victorian and Edwardian periods. These older properties often require careful assessment of roof conditions, brickwork pointing, and the integrity of shared walls with neighbouring properties. Our experience with Lancashire housing means we know what to look for in properties of this age and construction type.

We also inspect the property's services including plumbing, electrical systems, and heating installations. For Altham properties with older electrical systems, our surveyors will note any visible wiring that may not meet current regulations and recommend further investigation by a qualified electrician. The report covers insulation and ventilation throughout, identifying areas where energy efficiency could be improved.

• Structural walls and foundations
• Roof covering and structure
• Chimneys and flues
• Windows and doors
• Damp proofing and dampness
• Flooring and stairs
• Plumbing and electrical fixtures
• Insulation and ventilation

Your RICS Level 2 HomeBuyer Report includes a clear summary of the property's overall condition, followed by detailed sections covering each major building element. The report uses the RICS traffic light system to quickly highlight areas of concern, with red indicating serious issues requiring urgent attention, amber flagging defects that need future repair, and green confirming areas in satisfactory condition. This visual system makes it easy to prioritise which issues need immediate action.

For Altham properties, particularly the older terraced houses that dominate the local market, our surveyors commonly identify issues related to aging roof coverings, deteriorating brickwork, and outdated electrical systems. Victorian and Edwardian properties often have solid walls without cavity insulation, which can lead to condensation issues in colder months. The report will clearly explain each finding, provide practical recommendations for addressing any problems, and estimate costs where possible.

Should our surveyor identify any serious concerns during the inspection, you'll receive immediate verbal notification followed by detailed written explanation in your report. This ensures you have all the information needed to make an informed decision about your Altham property purchase, whether that means negotiating with the seller, requesting specialist investigations, or in some cases, reconsidering the purchase altogether. We believe in giving you complete information so you can proceed with confidence.

The report also includes a clear valuation and insurance rebuild figure for your property, which is useful for mortgage purposes and ensuring you have adequate buildings insurance coverage. This additional information helps you understand the full financial picture of your property investment in the Altham area.

Properties in Altham, particularly those built during the Victorian and Edwardian periods, share common characteristics that our surveyors know to investigate thoroughly. Roof conditions are a frequent concern, with original slate or tile roofs often showing signs of age, missing or damaged tiles, and deterioration in mortar pointing. Our surveyors carefully inspect roof slopes from both inside the property where accessible and from ground level, noting any areas requiring attention.

Brickwork and pointing represent another common issue in older Altham properties. Weather exposure over decades can cause mortar joints to erode, leading to water penetration and potential damp problems inside the property. We examine external walls for signs of cracking, bulging, or previous repairs that might indicate structural movement. The shared walls in terraced properties receive particular attention, as issues with neighbours' properties can affect your own home.

Dampness is a prevalent concern in older Lancashire properties, and our surveyors use their experience to identify both obvious signs and more subtle indicators. This includes checking walls at ground level for rising damp, examining window frames for condensation damage, and looking for signs of penetrating damp in roof spaces and upper floors. Properties without modern damp proof courses or with damaged existing damp proofing are flagged with clear recommendations.

Electrical and plumbing systems in older properties often require careful assessment. Many Victorian and Edwardian houses in Altham still have original electrical wiring that has been partially updated over the years, creating mixed systems that may not meet current safety standards. Our surveyors note the visible condition of consumer units, wiring, and socket outlets, recommending further investigation by qualified electricians and gas engineers where appropriate.