RICS Level 2 Homebuyer Survey East Midlands

A RICS Level 2 Homebuyer Survey provides a thorough inspection of the property's condition, focusing on any significant issues that might affect its value or safety. Our inspectors examine the main structural elements of the building, including walls, roofs, floors, doors, and windows. In the East Midlands, where properties range from centuries-old cottages in villages like Empingham in Rutland to contemporary homes in new developments, our surveyors know exactly what to look for based on the property's age and construction type.

The survey identifies any urgent defects that require immediate attention, such as serious damp problems commonly found in older Victorian and Edwardian properties across towns like Lincoln and Chesterfield. We also flag any potential issues that might require future maintenance, giving you a realistic picture of the costs involved in owning the property. Our report includes clear ratings for each area of the property - from the condition of the roof covering to the state of the plumbing and electrical systems.

For properties in the East Midlands, our surveyors pay particular attention to issues specific to the region. The clay soil prevalent in areas of Nottinghamshire and Leicestershire can cause foundation movement in older properties, while the many period homes in cities like Leicester and Derby often require checks for subsidence and structural movement. Our detailed report provides you with the information needed to negotiate repairs or price adjustments with the seller.

• Structural walls and foundations
• Roof covering and structure
• Damp and moisture assessment
• Windows, doors, and joinery
• Plumbing and electrical systems
• Boundary walls and outbuildings
• Evidence of subsidence or movement

The East Midlands presents a diverse range of property types, each with their own characteristic defects and maintenance requirements. In Nottingham and Derby, you'll find extensive Victorian and Edwardian terraced housing stock, particularly in areas like Sneinton, Radford, and Normanton. These properties often suffer from rising damp, outdated electrical wiring, and roof covering issues that our surveyors know to check thoroughly. The city's Georgian and Victorian detached houses in areas like Mapperley and Mickleover require specific attention to their structural integrity and heritage features.

Leicestershire offers a mix of properties from period cottages in villages like Bottesford and Burton on the Wolds to modern housing developments in Leicester's suburbs. Our surveyors are familiar with the construction methods used in properties across the county, from the red brick Victorian terraces of Loughborough to the contemporary homes in new developments like The Spinney in Lutterworth. The county's average property price of around £250,000 makes professional surveying a sensible precaution for any buyer.

Lincolnshire, the most affordable county in the region with average prices around £225,000, contains many period properties in historic market towns like Grantham, Stamford, and Louth. These properties often require careful assessment for structural issues, particularly those built with traditional lime mortar that can deteriorate over time. Rutland, by contrast, is the most expensive area in the East Midlands with average prices around £401,000, where our surveyors frequently inspect quality period properties and modern executive homes that command premium prices.

• Victorian terraces in Nottingham and Derby
• Period properties in Lincolnshire villages
• Modern family homes in Leicestershire developments
• Premium properties in Rutland

The East Midlands has seen significant new build activity, with major developers including Barratt Homes, David Wilson Homes, Persimmon Homes, Taylor Wimpey, Bellway, and Redrow active throughout the region. Our surveyors regularly inspect properties in these developments, from the more affordable options like The Maltings in Long Eaton (starting from £229,995) to premium sites like The Avenue in Radcliffe-on-Trent (reaching up to £699,995). buying at Newton Garden Village in Newton, Derbyshire, or at King's Meadow in Bottesford, Leicestershire, our inspectors have the expertise to assess these newer properties thoroughly.

New build properties may be covered by NHBC or similar warranties, but these often have exclusions and limitations that homeowners may not understand. Our Level 2 survey provides an independent assessment of the property's condition, identifying any snagging issues or construction defects that the developer should address before completion. With new builds averaging £315,000 in the region, this independent check protects your significant investment and ensures you're getting what you paid for.

We've surveyed hundreds of new build properties across the region, from family homes at Thornberries in Walton, Chesterfield (prices from £279,995 to £409,995) to executive residences at The Skylarks in Burton on the Wolds (prices from £329,995 to £549,995). Our experience with these developments means we know the common issues that arise and can provide you with a realistic assessment of your new home's condition.

• Newton Garden Village, Newton, Derbyshire
• The Willows, Edwalton, Nottinghamshire
• Romans' Edge, Empingham, Rutland
• Wigston Meadows, Wigston, Leicestershire
• Forest Edge, Bilsthorpe, Nottinghamshire
• The Avenue, Radcliffe-on-Trent, Nottinghamshire
• The Maltings, Long Eaton, Derbyshire
• King's Meadow, Bottesford, Leicestershire