RICS Level 2 Home Survey in Saxondale

The RICS Level 2 survey provides a thorough inspection of all accessible areas of your Saxondale property. Our chartered surveyors examine the walls, ceilings, floors, roofs, and foundations, looking for signs of damage, deterioration, or structural issues. The survey includes an assessment of the property's overall condition and highlights any defects that could impact its value or require expensive repairs. We check for common problems found in Nottinghamshire properties, including damp penetration, roof condition, timber defects, and the state of plumbing and electrical installations.

For properties in Saxondale and the surrounding Nottinghamshire area, our surveyors pay particular attention to issues commonly found in older properties. These include rising damp, which can affect solid wall constructions typical in the region, roof defects such as missing tiles or sagging ridges, and timber decay including rot and woodworm infestation. The survey also examines the condition of windows, doors, and finishes, providing you with a comprehensive understanding of the property's current state. Our inspectors specifically look for signs of movement or subsidence, which can be caused by the clay soils common throughout Nottinghamshire.

Unlike a basic mortgage valuation, the RICS Level 2 survey is designed to give you practical information about the property you are purchasing. The report uses a clear traffic light rating system to indicate the condition of each area inspected, making it easy to understand which issues require immediate attention and which are minor cosmetic matters. This detailed assessment helps you plan for future maintenance costs and identify any serious defects that might affect your decision to proceed with the purchase. Each section of the report includes clear recommendations and, where appropriate, estimates of likely repair costs.

Our surveyors also assess the surrounding environment and external factors that may affect the property. This includes checking for nearby trees that could impact foundations in clay soil conditions, evaluating the condition of boundaries and access ways, and noting any obvious flood risk indicators. For properties in Saxondale, we pay attention to the relationship between the property and the nearby River Trent flood plain, ensuring you are aware of any potential water ingress risks that might not be apparent during a standard viewing.

• Wall and ceiling condition
• Roof and chimney assessment
• Damp and timber inspection
• Windows and doors
• Floors and stairs
• Plumbing and electrical overview
• Exterior finishes
• Foundations and substructure

Saxondale is a small hamlet in Nottinghamshire, primarily associated with the postcode NG13 8AY. The area features a mix of property types, with semi-detached homes representing a significant portion of recent sales. The village has connections to the larger Upper Saxondale development to the north (NG12), which was redeveloped from the former Saxondale Hospital site and now represents a growing residential area with modern homes. This nearby development has brought new build properties to the area, ranging from three-bedroom to five-bedroom houses priced from £385,000 to £574,000 at Newton Garden Village.

The predominant construction in this part of Nottinghamshire features traditional brickwork, with older properties potentially using solid wall construction rather than modern cavity walls. Properties in the surrounding area, particularly in the Upper Saxondale Conservation Area, commonly feature orange machine-made brick laid in Flemish bond with fine lime mortar joints. Roofs in the region typically feature Welsh slate or clay plain tiles, which require regular inspection and maintenance. Nottinghamshire's traditional building stone, Magnesian Limestone, is pinkish-yellow in colour and can be found in some older properties throughout the area.

Nottinghamshire's geology includes Mercia Mudstone (clay), which can pose a shrink-swell risk to foundations in areas with clay soil. While no specific subsidence issues have been identified in the Saxondale hamlet itself, properties with trees or vegetation nearby may be susceptible to ground movement. Our surveyors are trained to identify signs of subsidence, structural movement, and foundation problems during the inspection, checking for cracks in walls, uneven floors, and other indicators of potential structural issues. We specifically examine the relationship between any large trees and the property foundations, as clay soil shrinkage during dry periods can lead to movement.

The hamlet of Saxondale itself had a population of just 30 residents according to the 2021 Census, making it one of the smaller residential areas in the Rushcliffe borough. Despite its small size, the area retains a village character with properties that date back several decades. Many homes in the immediate Saxondale area will be over 50 years old, making a RICS Level 2 survey particularly valuable for identifying age-related issues such as deteriorating roofs, outdated electrical systems, and original windows that may need replacement.

• Traditional brick construction
• Solid wall properties
• Welsh slate and clay tile roofs
• Clay soil and shrink-swell risk
• Potential for older properties

Our surveyors regularly inspect properties throughout the Saxondale area and have identified several defect types that frequently appear in local homes. Understanding these common issues helps you know what to expect from your survey report and allows you to budget for potential repairs. The most prevalent problems we find in Nottinghamshire properties include various forms of dampness, roofing defects, and timber deterioration, all of which can lead to costly repairs if left untreated.

Rising damp is particularly common in older properties with solid wall construction, which is typical throughout the Saxondale hamlet. This occurs when moisture from the ground rises through the brickwork through capillary action, causing damage to plaster and decorations. Our inspectors use professional moisture meters to assess damp levels and identify the source of any moisture problems. Penetrating damp, often caused by damaged brickwork, defective roof tiles, or blocked gutters, is another frequent issue we encounter, particularly given the exposure properties can experience in this part of the East Midlands.

Roof defects represent another significant category of problems found in Saxondale properties. Missing or cracked tiles, deteriorating ridge tiles, and damaged flashing can all allow water ingress that leads to internal damage. Our surveyors physically access the roof where it is safe to do so, or use high-powered binoculars to examine roof slopes from ground level. We also inspect chimneys for signs of decay, mortar erosion, and pot damage, which are common issues in older properties with traditional chimney stacks.

Timber defects, including rot and woodworm infestation, can affect both structural and non-structural timber elements in a property. Wet rot typically occurs in areas of persistent dampness, such as window frames, door frames, and ground-floor joists. Woodworm (common furniture beetle) can affect older timber structures and may require specialist treatment if an active infestation is found. Our surveyors tap timber elements to check for soundness and look for the characteristic exit holes and dust associated with woodworm activity.

Electrical and plumbing issues are frequently identified during our surveys of older properties in the Saxondale area. Original wiring that has not been updated may not meet current safety standards and could represent a fire hazard. We visually inspect the consumer unit, wiring, and socket outlets where accessible, noting any obvious deficiencies. Similarly, old plumbing systems may use galvanised steel pipes that are prone to internal corrosion and reduced water pressure. These findings are reported with recommendations for further investigation by qualified electricians and plumbers.