RICS Level 2 Survey in BN13 Worthing

The majority of properties sold in BN13 in the last year were semi-detached, which reflects the dominant character of the Durrington and Salvington estates. These post-war semis, built from the 1940s through to the 1970s, share common construction characteristics: cavity brick walls, concrete suspended floors in many cases, single-skin flat roofs to rear extensions, and electrical systems that may not have been upgraded since the property was built.

Our surveyors regularly find damp penetration in the older pre-war stock where cavity walls were not standard. Flint-built properties are particularly susceptible - flint is a locally sourced material used extensively in Sussex for centuries, but mortar joints between the irregular stones absorb moisture over time. Once mortar degrades, water finds a path through the wall. We use moisture meters at regular intervals across all external walls when inspecting flint properties, taking readings at floor, mid-wall, and high-level positions to map the extent of any penetration.

In the 1950s-1970s semi-detached stock, our inspectors probe timber floor joists in ground floor rooms and check underfloor ventilation. Blocked airbricks and inadequate cross-ventilation are a common cause of dry rot in suspended timber floors across West Sussex coastal towns. Roof void inspections routinely show felt deterioration in felted roofs of this era, and we check all valleys, parapets, and chimney flashings from ground level using binoculars before accessing any loft space.

• Pre-war flint properties: mortar joint condition, moisture ingress through solid walls
• Post-war semi-detached: roof felt condition, flat roof extensions, cavity wall insulation failures
• 1960s-1970s terraces: asbestos-containing materials in soffit boards and floor tiles, outdated wiring
• 1980s and later detached: window seal failures, conservatory roof condition, subsidence indicators
• All ages: drainage condition, boundary structure defects, external joinery deterioration from coastal exposure

Our RICS Level 2 Survey follows the RICS Home Survey Standard and covers all visible and accessible elements of the property. In BN13, this means a thorough inspection of the roof from ground level using binoculars to identify slipped or cracked tiles, damaged ridge tiles, and valley condition, followed by a full loft inspection where access is available. We check for signs of roof structure movement, inadequate insulation, and any evidence of previous water ingress on roof timbers and insulation batts.

External walls receive close inspection including mortar joint condition, any evidence of movement cracks assessed using the BRE crack classification scale which categorises cracking from Category 0 hairline cracks through to Category 5 very severe structural damage requiring partial rebuilding, render condition, and the state of any damp proof course. We probe external sills and window frames to check for timber rot, and assess the condition of all external drainage including gutters, downpipes, hoppers, and gullies at ground level.

Inside the property, we take moisture meter readings in every room, examine floors for signs of uneven settlement, check the condition of ceilings and internal walls, and inspect the loft space if accessible. The report includes sections on services - gas, electricity, water, and heating. We do not test these but report on their visible condition and note where specialist testing is recommended. Our report gives you a clear condition rating for every element, along with our recommendation on urgency and approximate cost range for any repairs identified.

Our surveyors working in BN13 are RICS-chartered professionals with direct experience of West Sussex coastal housing stock. They understand the local building traditions - including flint construction, traditional lime mortar joints, and the coastal exposure challenges faced by properties throughout the Worthing area. When we attend a property in Durrington or Salvington, we bring specific knowledge of the defects most likely to affect this type of housing in this location.

We deliver survey reports within 3-5 working days from the inspection date for RICS Level 2 Surveys. Every report is written by the surveyor who carried out the physical inspection. There are no generic sections or automated text - every observation is specific to the individual property inspected. Where we identify something that warrants specialist follow-up, such as asbestos testing in a 1960s property, or a structural engineer's opinion on cracking patterns, we say so clearly in the report and explain the reason.

After you receive your report, your surveyor is available for a follow-up call to discuss the findings. Many buyers are reading a survey report for the first time, and we are happy to explain condition ratings, clarify what a condition 3 item means for your purchase decision, and help you understand which defects are routine maintenance and which require urgent attention before you proceed with the purchase.