Comprehensive property surveys from qualified RICS surveyors serving Ashurst and the New Forest area








Our team of RICS qualified surveyors inspects properties throughout Ashurst and the surrounding New Forest villages, bringing years of local experience to every inspection we undertake. We understand that buying a home in this beautiful part of Hampshire is a significant investment, and our detailed Level 2 Survey helps you make an informed decision before you commit to your purchase.
A RICS Level 2 Survey, formerly known as a Homebuyer Report, provides a thorough visual assessment of the property condition and highlights any defects that could affect its value or require costly repairs. With average property prices in Ashurst standing at around £505,000, investing in a professional survey can save you significant money and stress further down the line.
Our surveyors know the common issues affecting properties in this area, from the challenges of clay soils beneath Ashurst to the specific construction methods used in traditional New Forest homes. We serve buyers throughout SO40 and the surrounding postcode areas, including those looking at properties near Bartley Water, along the A35 corridor, and in the surrounding woodland settlements.

£505,000
Average House Price
-1.0%
Annual Price Change
36
Properties Sold (12 months)
60-70%
Properties Over 50 Years Old
Ashurst sits within the New Forest National Park, an area renowned for its traditional architecture and historic properties that date back centuries. Many homes in the village and surrounding hamlets like Colbury date back to the pre-1919 era, with significant development also occurring during the 1919-1945 and 1945-1980 periods. This age profile means that a large proportion of the housing stock will have construction features that require expert assessment, from solid wall construction and lime mortar to older roofing systems and original joinery that our surveyors examine in detail every day.
The local geology presents particular challenges that our inspectors understand intimately from years of working in the area. Ashurst sits on London Clay Formation and Bagshot Formation soils, which carry a moderate to high shrink-swell risk. Properties with large trees nearby along Woodlands Road and Whartons Lane, or those with shallower foundations typical of older buildings, can experience subsidence or heave as the clay soil expands and contracts with moisture levels throughout the year. Our Level 2 Survey includes assessment of these ground conditions and their potential impact on the property structure, with our surveyors specifically looking for signs of movement such as diagonal cracks around windows and doors.
Additionally, properties near the Bartley Water and in low-lying areas around Ashurst Bridge and along the flood plains face potential flood risks from both river overflow and surface water flooding during heavy rainfall. Our surveyors will identify these environmental risks during the inspection and provide guidance on what they mean for your potential purchase, including checking the condition of any existing flood defences or drainage systems that may be in place.
The New Forest location also means that many properties have specific conservation considerations. Whether the property is a Listed Building requiring specialist attention or falls within the National Park's strict planning boundaries, our surveyors understand the additional factors that buyers need to consider when purchasing in this sensitive landscape.
Source: Local property market data 2024
Simply select your property type and preferred date using our online booking system, or call our team to arrange a convenient time for your RICS Level 2 Survey in Ashurst. We offer flexible appointment times to suit your buying timeline, and our online system makes scheduling straightforward.
Our qualified surveyor will visit the property and conduct a thorough visual inspection of all accessible areas, including the roof space, walls, floors, damp areas, and building services. We examine the condition of the roof, check for signs of damp or timber defects, assess the plumbing and electrical installations, and evaluate the overall structural integrity of the property. The inspection typically takes 1-2 hours depending on the property size and complexity.
Within 3-5 working days of the inspection, you will receive your comprehensive RICS Level 2 Survey report with clear condition ratings, photographs of any defects found, and specific recommendations for repairs or further investigations. Our reports are designed to be easy to understand, with an executive summary that highlights the most important findings for busy buyers.
If the property you are purchasing is a Listed Building within the New Forest National Park, a standard RICS Level 2 Survey may not be sufficient. Listed buildings often require a more detailed RICS Level 3 Building Survey due to their historic construction methods and specific legal obligations for preservation. Our team can advise you on the most appropriate survey type for your property, including those designated at Grade II and Grade II*.
Our surveyors regularly identify several recurring issues during inspections in the Ashurst area, and we know exactly what to look for in properties built with traditional New Forest methods. Damp problems are particularly common in older properties, where original solid wall construction may lack modern damp-proof courses. Rising damp, penetrating damp, and condensation can all cause damage to internal finishes and create unhealthy living conditions if not properly addressed. We frequently see these issues in the solid brick cottages found throughout the village, particularly where render has been applied to walls that would better breathe with lime-based finishes.
Roof condition is another frequent finding, with older slate and clay tile roofs often showing signs of slipped tiles, degraded felt, or timber decay in the rafters and purlins. Given the traditional construction methods used in many Ashurst homes, timber defects including woodworm and both wet and dry rot are also regularly encountered, particularly in properties with inadequate ventilation or historical damp issues that have gone unnoticed. Our inspectors also check the condition of hidden gutters and flat roof sections that can be problematic on older properties.
The clay soil conditions beneath many properties in Ashurst mean that we regularly identify subsidence-related defects during our surveys. This includes cracking to walls, particularly where large trees such as oaks or poplars are growing close to the property and extracting moisture from the soil. We also see heave damage in properties where previously removed trees have allowed the clay to expand. Our surveyors document these issues thoroughly and recommend appropriate specialist structural engineer inspections where necessary.

A RICS Level 2 Survey includes a visual inspection of the property's interior and exterior, assessing the condition of walls, floors, ceilings, roof, windows, doors, and building services. Our surveyor will identify defects, categorize them by severity using condition ratings 1-3, and provide advice on repairs and maintenance. It also includes a basic assessment of drainage and services, plus an evaluation of any environmental risks specific to Ashurst such as flood risk from Bartley Water or subsidence risk from the underlying clay soils.
For a typical 3-bedroom semi-detached house in Ashurst, RICS Level 2 Survey costs range from £450 to £750 depending on the property size and specific features. Larger 4-bedroom detached properties in areas like Woodlands Road or near the A35 corridor typically cost between £600 and £900 or more. The price reflects the complexity of the property and how long the inspection takes to complete.
While new build properties typically come with NHBC or similar warranties, a Level 2 Survey can still identify defects in the construction that may not be apparent to buyers. The recent Acorn Grove development at Whartons Lane is one example of new builds in the area that could benefit from an independent survey. Our inspection can spot issues with build quality, snagging items, or problems with fixtures and fittings that the developer's own checks may have missed.
Properties near the Bartley Water and in low-lying areas around Ashurst Bridge and Woodlands Road have a moderate to high risk of both river and surface water flooding. Our surveyors will assess the flood risk during the inspection, looking at the property's position relative to watercourses, the condition of any drainage systems, and any existing flood mitigation measures. We include detailed findings in your report so you can make an informed decision about insurance requirements and potential flood resilience measures.
Yes, Ashurst and the nearby village of Colbury contain several Listed Buildings including Grade II listed properties along the main roads and in the surrounding hamlets. Properties with listed status or those within the New Forest National Park often require the more detailed RICS Level 3 Building Survey due to their historic construction and conservation requirements. Our team can advise you on whether a Level 2 Survey is sufficient or whether you would benefit from the more comprehensive Level 3 assessment for your particular property.
Yes, our surveyors are trained to identify signs of subsidence, heave, and structural movement. Given the clay soils underlying much of Ashurst, we pay particular attention to cracks in walls, uneven floors, and other indicators of ground movement, especially in properties with mature trees nearby. We check for characteristic diagonal cracking around window and door frames, doors that stick or don't close properly, and signs of previous repair work that may indicate historic movement. Where we identify significant concerns, we recommend a follow-up structural engineer inspection.
Properties in Ashurst span multiple construction periods, from traditional solid wall cottages built with brick and lime mortar to post-war cavity wall houses from the 1950s and 1960s on the Bratcher Bungalow estate. Many homes along the A35 and in the village centre feature traditional timber-framed construction with clay tile roofs, while newer developments use modern cavity wall construction with insulation. Our surveyors understand each of these construction types and know the typical defects associated with each period, ensuring nothing is missed during your inspection.
The on-site inspection for a typical 3-bedroom property in Ashurst takes between 1 and 2 hours, depending on the size, condition, and complexity of the property. Larger detached homes or properties with annexes or outbuildings will naturally take longer. We allow sufficient time to examine all accessible areas including the roof space, under-floor voids where safe to access, and the external fabric of the building.
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Comprehensive property surveys from qualified RICS surveyors serving Ashurst and the New Forest area
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Homemove is a trading name of HM Haus Group Ltd (Company No. 13873779, registered in England & Wales). Homemove Mortgages Ltd (Company No. 15947693) is an Appointed Representative of TMG Direct Limited, trading as TMG Mortgage Network, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FRN 786245). Homemove Mortgages Ltd is entered on the FCA Register as an Appointed Representative (FRN 1022429). You can check registrations at NewRegister or by calling 0800 111 6768.