Trusted homebuyer surveys for Plymouth's Blitz-rebuilt city centre, Victorian terraces, and naval housing stock
Regulated
Plymouth's property landscape is unlike any other English city. The devastating Blitz of 1940-44 destroyed 3,754 homes and seriously damaged a further 18,389, leading to one of the most ambitious post-war reconstruction programmes in British history. The result is a city where 1950s and 1960s rebuilds sit alongside surviving Victorian terraces in areas like Stoke, Mutley, and Mannamead. A RICS Level 2 Survey gives you a clear, traffic-light-rated assessment of a property's condition before you commit to buying in this uniquely varied market, where the average home costs around £250,000.
£250,000
Average House Price
35.5%
Terraced Homes
vs 22.7% nationally
From £375
Level 2 Survey Cost
Plymouth pricing
3,754
Homes Lost in the Blitz
Plus 18,389 damaged
Plymouth's housing stock carries risks that are specific to the city's history and geography. The Blitz devastated the city centre between 1940 and 1944, and the subsequent Patrick Abercrombie reconstruction plan replaced much of the original street layout with 1950s and 1960s concrete-framed buildings. These post-war properties can suffer from carbonation of concrete, flat roof failures, and cavity wall tie corrosion after 60-plus years. At the same time, the surviving Victorian and Edwardian terraces in suburbs like Mutley, Peverell, and Stoke bring their own set of issues: solid walls without cavity insulation, shallow foundations on Devonian limestone, and dated electrical and plumbing systems that have been patched over decades.
A RICS Level 2 Survey provides a structured visual inspection of the entire property, covering the roof, walls, windows, floors, services, and grounds. Each element is graded using a clear traffic-light system: Condition 1 means no repair needed, Condition 2 flags defects requiring attention but not urgent, and Condition 3 highlights serious problems needing immediate investigation. For Plymouth's mix of post-war flats, inter-war semis, and Victorian terraces, this grading system gives buyers a straightforward way to understand what they are taking on and what it might cost to put right.
Plymouth also sits in a radon-affected area. Around 14% of homes in the city have been found to exceed the Government's action level of 200 Bq/m³, a result of the underlying Devonian geology and historic mining activity across Devon. While a Level 2 survey does not test for radon directly, your surveyor will note whether the property has radon protection measures installed and recommend testing where appropriate. This is a factor many buyers outside the South West simply don't think about, but it can affect both your family's health and future saleability.
Source: ONS Census 2021. Plymouth has significantly more terraced housing than the national average (22.7%).
Plymouth falls within the mundic-affected zone of Devon and Cornwall, where concrete blocks made from mining waste were widely used in house construction before the mid-1950s. These blocks can degrade over time, weakening walls and foundations. Most mortgage lenders now require a mundic screening test for any concrete-block property built before 1965 in this region. Your surveyor will identify concrete block construction during the inspection and advise whether a Stage 1 or Stage 2 mundic assessment is needed before your purchase can proceed. Around 80% of tested properties pass at Stage 1, but those that fail can face significant repair costs or mortgage refusal.
| Survey Type | Plymouth | National Avg | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| RICS Level 2 (3-bed) | From £375 | From £395 | -£20 |
| RICS Level 3 (3-bed) | From £575 | From £619 | -£44 |
| Valuation Only | From £225 | From £250 | -£25 |
RICS Level 2 (3-bed)
Plymouth
From £375
National Avg
From £395
Difference
-£20
RICS Level 3 (3-bed)
Plymouth
From £575
National Avg
From £619
Difference
-£44
Valuation Only
Plymouth
From £225
National Avg
From £250
Difference
-£25
Based on a standard 3-bed property. Plymouth prices are slightly below the national average, reflecting lower property values compared to London and the South East.
The RICS surveyors we work with in Plymouth have hands-on experience with the city's distinctive property mix. They understand the quirks of Abercrombie-era post-war construction, know which Plymouth suburbs have surviving Victorian terraces with solid limestone walls, and can spot the tell-tale signs of mundic-affected concrete. Based locally across Plymouth and South Devon, they can typically visit your property within days of booking and produce a report tailored to the specific risks of Plymouth's housing stock.
Enter the Plymouth property's address, type, approximate age, and number of bedrooms. You'll receive an instant price. If a Level 2 survey suits the property, you can book and pay online straight away. We contact the seller or their estate agent within 24 hours to arrange access.
A local RICS surveyor visits the property and carries out a thorough visual inspection. For a typical Plymouth terraced house or post-war semi, expect the visit to take 2 to 4 hours. Properties with extensions, loft conversions, or unusual construction may take longer. The surveyor will check the roof, walls, floors, windows, services, and external areas.
The written report arrives within 2 to 6 working days. Each building element is rated using the traffic-light system, with Condition 3 items flagged for urgent attention. Our bookings team is available to talk through the findings and help you arrange any follow-up inspections, such as a mundic test or damp survey, if recommended.
Plymouth sits on Devonian geology that naturally produces radon gas. Around 14% of tested homes in the city exceed the Government's 200 Bq/m³ action level, compared to a national average well below 1%. If you are buying a property in Plymouth, particularly in areas like Plymstock, Plympton, or Elburton where ground conditions vary, ask whether a radon test has been carried out. Your Level 2 surveyor will note any existing radon barriers or ventilation systems and flag properties where testing is advisable before completion.
Plymouth's built environment tells the story of a city shaped by the Royal Navy and reshaped by wartime destruction. The older suburbs of Devonport, Stonehouse, and Stoke were built to house dockyard workers from the mid-1800s onwards, producing dense grids of two-storey limestone and brick terraces. Many of these streets survived the Blitz and remain standing today, though they often carry the marks of their age: cracked render, failing damp-proof courses, and roofs re-covered multiple times since their original Welsh slate was laid. Mannamead and Hartley brought larger Edwardian and inter-war villas, typically semi-detached with bay windows and rendered walls, while Plympton and Plymstock expanded rapidly from the 1960s onward with modern estate housing.
This variety is precisely why a Level 2 survey matters for Plymouth buyers. A Victorian terrace in Mutley will have different risks from a 1950s flat in the rebuilt city centre or a 1980s detached house in Derriford. The post-war reconstruction, guided by the Abercrombie Plan, introduced construction methods and materials that were experimental at the time and have not always aged well. Concrete panel cladding, flat roofs with asphalt coverings, and steel-framed windows are all common in Plymouth's post-war stock and all develop specific defects that an experienced local surveyor will recognise immediately. The city also has the highest concentration of 20th-century listed buildings anywhere in England, a reflection of its architectural significance and a factor that can affect what alterations you can make after purchase.
Explore our full range of property services available in Plymouth
From £575
A full structural survey for older or non-standard Plymouth properties, including detailed investigation of post-war and Victorian construction.
From £500
Detailed building survey for Plymouth homes that need more than a visual inspection, covering structure and fabric in depth.
From £75
Energy Performance Certificate for Plymouth properties, required for sales and lettings across the city.
From £350
RICS valuation for Help to Buy equity loan repayment on Plymouth properties, required by Homes England.
With Plymouth's median house price at £250,000, a Level 2 survey from £375 represents just 0.15% of a typical purchase. That fraction of the overall cost can identify defects worth thousands in repairs. A failed damp-proof course on a Plymouth Victorian terrace typically costs £2,000 to £5,000 to remedy. Roof slate replacement on a three-bed terraced house exposed to Plymouth's coastal weather runs £4,000 to £8,000. Concrete spalling on a post-war flat can cost £3,000 to £6,000 depending on severity. Identifying any one of these issues before exchange gives you negotiating power or the chance to walk away entirely.
Without a survey, buyers rely on a mortgage valuation that only confirms the property is adequate security for the loan. It does not look at the building's condition. In Plymouth, where mundic block can render a property unmortgageable, where radon gas affects one in seven homes, and where post-war construction methods can mask hidden defects behind rendered walls, a visual inspection by a qualified RICS surveyor is the most practical protection available. The report also serves as a record you can share with your solicitor and use as evidence during price negotiations.
Level 2 surveys in Plymouth start from around £375 for a standard 3-bed property, which is slightly below the national average of £395. The final price depends on the property's value, size, and number of bedrooms. Larger homes or those valued above £400,000 may cost £500 to £700. Plymouth pricing reflects the city's lower average property values compared to London and the South East, though the survey itself is carried out to the same RICS standard regardless of location.
The survey includes a visual inspection of wall construction, and your surveyor will note if the property appears to be built with concrete blocks that could be affected by mundic degradation. If mundic risk is identified, the report will recommend a formal mundic screening test carried out by a petrographic laboratory. This is especially relevant for Plymouth properties built before the mid-1950s, where mining waste was commonly used as aggregate in concrete blocks. Most mortgage lenders in Devon and Cornwall will not proceed without a mundic test on at-risk properties.
The on-site inspection for a typical Plymouth terraced house or semi-detached property takes 2 to 4 hours. Post-war flats in the city centre are often quicker to inspect, while larger detached properties in areas like Plympton or Mannamead may take the full 4 hours. The written report is delivered within 2 to 6 working days of the inspection. From booking to receiving your report, the typical turnaround in Plymouth is 1 to 2 weeks, depending on access arrangements with the seller.
For a Victorian terrace in good general condition, a Level 2 survey is usually appropriate. Plymouth has over 35,000 terraced houses, many dating from the mid to late 1800s in areas like Stoke, Devonport, and Mutley. The inspection covers the roof, walls, damp, timber, and services, flagging any serious defects. If the property has had significant alterations, shows visible structural cracking, or you have specific concerns about foundation movement on the limestone geology, your surveyor may recommend upgrading to a Level 3 for a more detailed investigation.
Plymouth's city centre was almost entirely rebuilt between 1948 and 1962 following the Abercrombie Plan. These post-war buildings use construction techniques that differ markedly from traditional housing: concrete frames, flat roofs with asphalt coverings, steel-framed windows, and rendered panel walls. Your Plymouth surveyor will assess these elements for carbonation of concrete, flat roof failures, window corrosion, and cavity wall tie deterioration. These are age-related defects that appear across Plymouth's post-war stock and are well understood by local surveyors.
Radon testing is not part of the Level 2 inspection, but your surveyor will note whether radon protection measures such as a membrane or sump are installed. Plymouth sits in a radon-affected area, with approximately 14% of homes exceeding the Government action level. If the property lacks radon protection, the report will recommend a radon test, which involves placing detectors in the home for three months. The test costs around £50 and can be arranged through Public Health England. Radon levels above the action level require remediation, typically costing £800 to £1,500.
The Level 2 is a visual inspection that uses a traffic-light rating system to grade the condition of each building element. It suits standard properties in reasonable condition, including most Plymouth terraces, semis, and modern estates. A Level 3 survey goes deeper, with the surveyor opening up areas where possible, tracing defects to their cause, and providing detailed structural commentary. For Plymouth properties built before 1900, those with visible structural issues, or buildings with non-standard construction like the post-war city centre stock, a Level 3 provides the fuller picture.
Yes, and many Plymouth buyers do exactly this. If the Level 2 report identifies Condition 3 defects, you have documented evidence of problems that need fixing. Common negotiation points on Plymouth properties include damp remediation on Victorian terraces, roof repairs on exposed coastal properties, and concrete repairs on post-war buildings. Your solicitor can use the report findings to request a price reduction or ask the seller to carry out repairs before completion. On a typical Plymouth purchase, buyers who renegotiate based on survey findings save between £2,000 and £10,000.
Most surveyors take 1–2 days to quote.
We'll price your survey in seconds.
We'll price your survey in seconds.
Homemove is a trading name of HM Haus Group Ltd (Company No. 13873779, registered in England & Wales). Homemove Mortgages Ltd (Company No. 15947693) is an Appointed Representative of TMG Direct Limited, trading as TMG Mortgage Network, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FRN 786245). Homemove Mortgages Ltd is entered on the FCA Register as an Appointed Representative (FRN 1022429). You can check registrations at NewRegister or by calling 0800 111 6768.
