RICS Level 2 Survey in DE6

The RICS Level 2 HomeBuyer Survey is a structured visual inspection covering every accessible part of the property. Our surveyors assess each element of the building and assign a condition rating on the RICS three-point scale. Condition Rating 1 means the element is in satisfactory order with no action needed. Rating 2 identifies issues that are not urgent but should be addressed. Rating 3 flags serious defects requiring immediate attention or specialist investigation before you commit to the purchase.

For DE6 properties, the external inspection focuses on the roof covering, chimney stacks, external walls, windows, and drainage. In older stone or brick properties in Ashbourne and the surrounding villages, we pay particular attention to the condition of pointing, render, and any evidence of movement in the wall structure. Internally, we work methodically through every accessible room, inspecting ceilings, walls, floors, and joinery for damp, cracking, rot, or signs of previous remediation work that may conceal an underlying problem.

The completed report is delivered digitally within three working days of the inspection. Each section of the report covers a specific building element, explains what our surveyor found, assigns the appropriate condition rating, and sets out any recommended action. An executive summary at the front of the report identifies the most significant findings at a glance, and our team is available to discuss the report with you before you enter negotiations with the seller.

Every survey we complete in DE6 is conducted by a qualified member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors holding MRICS or FRICS status. RICS accreditation means your surveyor operates under professional rules of conduct that require independence, honesty, and full professional indemnity insurance. When you book through Homemove, you are engaging a professional who is accountable to one of the most respected built environment bodies in the UK - not a generalist inspector or mortgage valuer whose brief covers only the lender's interests.

DE6 is a postcode that demands local knowledge. The housing stock ranges from new-build 3 and 4-bedroom homes at the Ashbourne Airfield development on Yeldersley Lane - with properties from £289,995 - through to medieval and Georgian listed buildings in Ashbourne town centre and converted stone farmhouses across the rural parishes. Each of these property types requires a different inspection focus, and our surveyors have direct experience of the construction methods, typical defect patterns, and specific challenges associated with DE6's diverse housing stock.

Booking is simple. Enter your property details into our quote tool, select an appointment date, and we handle the rest. We liaise directly with the seller's estate agent to confirm access, and you receive the completed report digitally within three working days of the inspection. If the report identifies concerns requiring further investigation - a structural engineer for movement cracking, a heritage consultant for listed building issues, or a damp specialist - our team can help connect you with the right professional.

Inspections in DE6 begin externally. At roof level, our surveyor checks the condition of the roof covering, ridgeline, hip tiles or lead soakers, chimney stacks, and all visible flashings. In older Ashbourne properties, natural slate or plain clay tile roofs are common, and failing mortar on ridge and hip details is one of the most frequent causes of water ingress in period buildings. Gutters, downpipes, and their connections to drains are inspected for blockage, corrosion, and correct fall - a blocked gutter above a solid stone wall will eventually cause penetrating damp in the room below.

External walls are examined for cracking, pointing condition, render integrity, and evidence of past or active movement. Internally, we work through each room systematically - checking ceilings for staining or cracking, walls for damp patches or blown plaster, floors for springiness or uneven levels, and all joinery for condition. Where the loft space is accessible, we inspect the roof structure, check for adequate insulation, and note any signs of water ingress or previous repair work.

• Roof covering - slates, clay tiles, ridges, hips, and valleys
• Lead and mortar flashings around chimney stacks and abutments
• Chimney stack masonry - pointing, capping, and liner condition
• External walls - pointing, cracking, render, and movement signs
• Gutters and downpipes - condition and connection to drainage
• Ground-floor damp-proof course - presence and continuity
• Internal damp staining - ceilings, walls, and floor levels
• Timber floors and joinery - rot, beetle, and structural condition
• Loft space - timbers, insulation, moisture, and previous repairs
• Visible services - heating system, plumbing, and electrical distribution