RICS Level 2 Surveys in CB24

Our RICS Level 2 Survey is a thorough visual inspection of all accessible areas of a property, carried out by a RICS-qualified chartered surveyor. We follow the RICS Home Survey Standard, which requires us to inspect the structure, fabric, and condition of the building and produce a report using a clear traffic light rating system: green for no action needed, amber for attention required, and red for urgent works. Our inspectors check every accessible element of the building during their visit.

The survey covers the roof structure and coverings, chimneys and flashings, external walls and pointing, windows and doors, internal walls and ceilings, floors and joists, the loft space where accessible, drainage and guttering, and services such as heating, electrics, and plumbing. We do not lift floor coverings, open up walls, or access areas that cannot be reached safely, but we report on everything we can see and note anything that warrants further investigation.

• Roof coverings, timbers, and chimney stacks
• External walls, pointing, and rendering
• Windows, doors, and external joinery
• Damp, condensation, and drainage issues
• Loft and roof void (where accessible)
• Internal walls, ceilings, and floors
• Heating system, electrics, and plumbing (visual inspection)
• Gardens, outbuildings, and boundary structures

After the inspection, we deliver a full written report with photographic evidence within three to five working days. The report also includes a summary valuation opinion and rebuild cost estimate for insurance purposes, which many CB24 buyers find immediately useful when setting up buildings insurance on their new home.

Several villages within CB24 carry designated Conservation Area status, including Histon and Impington, Cottenham, and Longstanton. Properties within these areas are subject to stricter planning controls that affect what alterations can be made to their external appearance. Our chartered surveyors understand the implications of buying within a Conservation Area and will note any non-compliant alterations or planning concerns that are visible during the inspection.

Listed buildings are also present across CB24, ranging from Grade I to Grade II designations, predominantly in the older village centres. If you're buying a listed building, a standard RICS Level 2 Survey is unlikely to be sufficient on its own. Listed properties often feature traditional construction methods - lime mortar, solid brick walls, original timber framing - that require a specialist understanding of how they age and fail. We recommend an RICS Level 3 Building Survey for any listed building, and we can advise on whether a heritage specialist is also needed.

Our inspectors document any alterations that appear to have been made without appropriate listed building consent or planning permission. Unauthorised works can create significant legal and financial risk for buyers, as enforcement action can be taken at any time regardless of when the works were carried out. Identifying these issues before exchange gives you the opportunity to require the seller to regularise the situation or adjust the purchase price accordingly.

Northstowe, located within CB24, is one of the largest new town developments in the UK, with major housebuilders including Barratt Homes and David Wilson Homes delivering homes across the site. While new builds carry statutory warranties such as NHBC Buildmark, buyers of recently completed or near-new properties can still benefit from a professional inspection. Our surveyors check for defects that fall outside warranty coverage, incomplete snag items, and any issues with site drainage or infrastructure that may affect specific plots.

New builds in CB24 range from £330,995 for two-bedroom homes at Orchard Green to £699,995 for five-bedroom homes at The Boulevards. At these price points, even relatively minor defects can represent significant sums. Our Level 2 Survey provides an independent, objective assessment separate from the developer's own quality control process, and our inspectors flag any items that should be formally snagged before legal completion.

Buyers purchasing through shared ownership schemes - such as those available through Orbit Homes' development in Cottenham - should also consider a pre-purchase survey. The shared ownership structure means you are responsible for the full maintenance of the property despite owning only a percentage share, so understanding its condition at the outset is particularly important.