RICS Level 2 Survey in Great Wilbraham

Our RICS Level 2 Survey provides a thorough inspection of the property's condition, identifying any significant defects or areas requiring attention. The survey includes a visual inspection of all accessible areas - roofs, walls, floors, windows, and doors - along with an assessment of the property's overall structure and build quality. Our inspectors examine the condition of walls, looking for cracks or signs of movement, assess the roof covering and flashing, check damp-proof courses and ventilation, and evaluate the condition of woodwork and timber elements.

In a village like Great Wilbraham, where a significant proportion of properties pre-date 1919, our surveyors pay particular attention to the common issues found in older construction. This includes checking for rising damp in solid wall properties, assessing the condition of historic windows and doors, and identifying any timber decay or woodworm infestation that may affect structural elements. The report provides clear ratings - condition ratings of 1, 2, or 3 - so you understand exactly which issues require immediate attention versus those that are cosmetic.

We also assess the property's services, including electrics, plumbing, and heating systems, flagging any obvious safety concerns or items that appear not to meet current regulations. Our surveyors examine the grounds, looking at boundaries, drainage, and any outbuildings or extensions. For properties in or near the designated Conservation Area, we note any features of historical or architectural significance that may affect your renovation plans.

The Energy Efficiency section of the report provides an assessment of the property's current thermal performance, including insulation levels and potential improvements. This is particularly valuable for older properties in Great Wilbraham, where solid wall construction and original single-glazed windows may result in lower EPC ratings than modern standards demand.

• Roof structure and covering
• Wall construction and condition
• Damp and timber assessment
• Electrical and plumbing overview
• Drainage and external areas
• Conservation and listed building considerations
• Energy efficiency assessment

Properties in Great Wilbraham predominantly feature traditional brick construction, with many older homes incorporating render or timber elements. The local geology presents specific challenges that our surveyors understand well. The area sits on clay-rich soils, particularly Gault Clay, which has shrink-swell properties that can affect foundations. This means our inspectors pay close attention to any signs of subsidence, heave, or structural movement, especially in properties with shallow foundations or those near trees.

The village has areas with medium to high surface water flood risk, particularly around roads and natural depressions in the landscape. While river flood risk remains low, our surveyors note any indications of previous flooding or drainage issues that could affect the property. We also assess the condition of retaining walls and any earth-retaining structures, which are common in properties on the village's varied topography. Properties near the Bottisham Lane area and those bordering the natural depressions in the landscape require particular attention to drainage and surface water management.

Many properties in Great Wilbraham will have solid walls rather than cavity walls, which affects both insulation performance and damp penetration patterns. Our surveyors are experienced in assessing these traditional construction methods and can identify whether adequate ventilation is in place to prevent condensation issues. We also look for evidence of any past structural work or alterations that may not have received proper planning permission or building regulations approval.

The age profile of properties in Great Wilbraham means that asbestos-containing materials may be present in buildings constructed before 2000. Our surveyors note the potential presence of asbestos in older insulation, floor tiles, roofing materials, and pipe insulation. While we don't actively test for asbestos during a Level 2 survey, we will flag areas where asbestos may be present and recommend a specialist asbestos survey if necessary.

• Clay soil subsidence risk
• Surface water flooding
• Solid wall construction
• Traditional brick and render
• Historic building methods
• Drainage considerations
• Asbestos in pre-2000 properties