RICS Level 2 Survey in CH66

A RICS Level 2 survey is the standard pre-purchase inspection for conventionally built properties in reasonable condition. Our surveyors carry out a structured visual assessment of the entire property, inspecting the structure, roof, walls, floors, windows, doors, drainage, and grounds. Every main element receives a condition rating, with clear notes on what the rating means in practical terms. Where we identify defects that require further specialist investigation, we flag them clearly and explain why.

For CH66 properties, the inspection focuses on the defects most likely to appear given the local housing stock and environmental context. In older brick-built homes, we look for evidence of damp in walls and floors, check the condition of roof coverings and flashings, and assess timber elements for signs of woodworm or rot. We also note where properties may contain asbestos-containing materials - a relevant consideration for any home built before 2000, which applies to approximately 73% of the CH66 housing stock. The report includes a section on legal matters to raise with your conveyancer.

• Full visual inspection of all accessible areas inside and outside the property
• Traffic-light condition ratings for every main element of the building
• Assessment of damp risks including rising, penetrating and condensation damp
• Inspection of roof coverings, flashings, and accessible roof structure
• Check for timber defects including rot and woodworm in structural timbers and floors
• Notes on asbestos-containing materials risk for pre-2000 properties
• Legal matters section covering items to raise with your conveyancer

Survey fees for CH66 properties are based on the size, age, and complexity of the home being inspected. For a three-bedroom semi-detached property - the most common type in the area at 42% of the housing stock - a RICS Level 2 survey typically costs between £450 and £650. Smaller flats and two-bedroom terraced houses sit at the lower end, while the larger detached homes averaging £408,000 in CH66 attract higher fees due to the additional inspection time required.

Nationally, RICS Level 2 surveys range from £400 to £900. CH66 pricing falls within that national range and reflects the age profile and construction types found locally. For properties with unusual construction, listed status, or those requiring a more detailed structural assessment due to visible defects, a RICS Level 3 Building Survey may be more appropriate. Our booking team can advise on the right survey level based on the property details, and all prices are agreed in writing before the inspection takes place.

• Flats and apartments: from £350 to £550
• Terraced houses: from £400 to £600
• Semi-detached houses: from £450 to £650
• Detached houses: from £550 to £900+
• Properties with complex construction or listed status: prices on request

Beneath much of CH66, the bedrock is Triassic sandstone overlain by superficial deposits of glacial till - a boulder clay that gives parts of the area a moderate shrink-swell susceptibility. Clay soils expand when wet and contract when dry, causing seasonal ground movement that can manifest as cracking in walls, sticking doors and windows, and distorted floor levels. Properties with large trees nearby, or those with shallower foundations from older construction methods, are at greater risk from this type of movement. Our surveyors assess external cracking patterns carefully to determine their likely cause and severity.

Traditional brick construction is the norm across CH66, with pre-1919 properties typically using solid walls without a cavity and later homes from the 1920s onwards built with cavity wall construction. Older properties often retain original suspended timber ground floors, single-glazed timber windows, and cast iron rainwater goods, all of which have finite lifespans and require periodic maintenance. Properties from the post-war era through to the late 1970s may have original electrical consumer units and wiring that no longer meets current safety standards and should be inspected by a qualified electrician as a priority after purchase.