RICS Level 2 Survey in CW6

A RICS Level 2 Home Survey is a visual inspection of a property carried out by a qualified RICS Registered Valuer or Chartered Surveyor. Our inspectors assess the condition of all main elements and rate each using a standard traffic-light system - Condition Rating 1 (no action required), Condition Rating 2 (repairs needed but not urgent), and Condition Rating 3 (significant defects requiring prompt attention).

Our surveyors examine the structure, roof, walls, windows, floors, drainage, and services during the inspection. We check roof coverings and gutters where accessible, inspect walls internally and externally for cracking, damp, or movement, and assess the condition of floors and ceilings. We also look at outbuildings, boundary features, and the general state of the gardens and grounds where relevant.

The report includes a legal issues section drawing attention to any matters that may affect the property's title, use, or future maintenance obligations. We also note any risks relating to the property's location - such as proximity to watercourses, evidence of subsidence in the street, or proximity to commercial land uses that could affect long-term value.

• Roof structure, coverings, and rainwater goods
• External walls, chimneys, and cladding
• Internal walls, floors, and ceilings
• Windows, doors, and joinery
• Cellars, vaults, and undercroft spaces
• Roof void and loft spaces where accessible
• Drainage, plumbing, heating, and gas/electrical services overview
• Outbuildings, gardens, and boundary features
• Legal issues and risks flagged for your solicitor

When the average sold price for a detached home in CW6 is £600,949, a survey costing a few hundred pounds is one of the most cost-effective investments you can make. A defect that might cost £15,000 to £30,000 to rectify - a failed roof, rising damp spreading through a solid brick wall, or a compromised drainage system - can be identified before you commit to the purchase. Armed with that information, you can renegotiate the price, ask the vendor to carry out repairs, or make an informed decision to walk away.

The CW6 market has seen price fluctuations over recent years. According to Rightmove, the average sold price was 5% lower than the previous year and 10% below the 2022 market peak of £540,821. In a market that has adjusted from its peak, buyers need to understand whether a property's asking price reflects its actual condition. A survey gives you objective, professional evidence on the state of the building - not just its headline value.

Transaction volumes in CW6 have also declined significantly - Property Solvers recorded 149 residential sales in the last 12 months, down 47.65% on the previous year. Slower markets mean properties can sit unsold for longer, and vendors are sometimes less motivated to maintain properties during prolonged marketing periods. Our surveyors are alert to signs of deferred maintenance, and our reports clearly identify where ongoing upkeep has been neglected.

Rural Cheshire properties also carry risks specific to the local environment. Older homes near agricultural land may show signs of ground movement related to clay subsoil shrinkage during dry summers. Properties near the River Weaver and its tributaries may face surface water flooding risks not immediately obvious from a site visit alone. While our survey focuses on the physical building, our inspectors note observations that prompt buyers to carry out appropriate environmental searches.

Rural properties across Cheshire share a set of common defects that our surveyors are trained to identify. Understanding what to expect in CW6 housing stock helps buyers focus on the right issues when reviewing their survey report.

Older solid-wall properties are the most common source of significant findings. Without a cavity to break the path of moisture, solid brick and sandstone walls rely on correct pointing and surface maintenance to resist water penetration. Where pointing has deteriorated or render has cracked, water ingress can track through the wall to internal surfaces. Our inspectors probe for damp at all internal wall surfaces and use a moisture meter to identify readings above acceptable thresholds.

Roofs on period homes often use original timbers that may have been subject to woodworm infestation, fungal decay from past leaks, or movement from settlement. Clay or natural slate coverings at end of life allow water into the roof void, which in turn damages ceiling joists and spreads damp to internal surfaces. We inspect the roof covering externally and access the loft where possible to assess the structure from below.

• Rising and penetrating damp in solid-wall properties
• Deteriorating pointing and mortar in older brick and sandstone
• Roof covering wear - missing, slipped, or broken tiles and slates
• Timber decay and woodworm in original floor and roof structures
• Single-glazed window frames with rotting timber cills and frames
• Outdated electrical installations without RCD protection
• Aging heating systems and unlined flues in chimney stacks
• Drainage issues including collapsed or root-invaded runs
• Flat-roof extensions with failed waterproofing membranes