RICS Level 2 Survey in St. Levan

Our RICS Level 2 Survey, formerly known as the HomeBuyer Report, provides a comprehensive visual inspection of all accessible areas of your St. Levan property. Our inspectors examine the roof structure, walls, floors, doors, windows, damp levels, and timber conditions throughout the property. We specifically look for signs of movement, decay, and deterioration that are particularly relevant to Cornwall's older housing stock. The survey includes a thorough assessment of the general condition of the property, with each element given a clear condition rating.

In St. Levan, where granite cottages and period properties are common, our surveyors pay particular attention to traditional construction methods. We check for damp penetration in solid walls, assess the condition of original timber windows, and evaluate any historic modifications that may have been made to the property. Cornwall's maritime climate means that properties here face unique challenges that surveyors in other parts of the country simply don't encounter. Our inspectors understand how salt air accelerates decay in external timbers and how driving rain can penetrate solid wall constructions that would perform differently in a more sheltered location.

The Level 2 survey includes an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating review, helping you understand the property's energy efficiency. This is particularly relevant in St. Levan where many older properties may have poor thermal performance due to solid wall construction, single-glazed windows, or outdated heating systems. Knowing the EPC rating helps you plan for potential improvement works and understand ongoing energy costs. We also include an assessment of the property's environmental impact and recommendations for making the home more efficient.

Our report provides clear traffic light ratings for each area inspected - red for urgent issues requiring immediate attention, amber for defects requiring future repair, and green for satisfactory condition. We include specific recommendations for further investigations if our surveyor identifies areas of concern that require specialist assessment, such as potential structural movement or significant damp issues common in older Cornish properties. The report is designed to be clear and actionable, giving you the information you need to make informed decisions about your purchase.

• Roof and loft structure
• Walls, floors, and ceilings
• Windows and doors
• Damp and timber survey
• Electrical visible items
• Plumbing visible items
• Boundary and outbuildings

St. Levan and the surrounding TR19 area feature a diverse mix of property types, from historic farmhouses to contemporary homes. The presence of Grade II listed buildings in the area means many properties have specific maintenance requirements that differ from standard modern constructions. Our surveyors are experienced in assessing traditional Cornish buildings, understanding how age, materials, and local weather patterns affect property condition over time. We've seen how the local climate accelerates wear on certain building elements and know what to look for during our inspections.

The granite construction common to this part of Cornwall creates beautiful but demanding buildings. Natural stone walls require different assessment approaches compared to modern cavity wall constructions, and our Level 2 survey reflects these technical differences. We check for signs of movement in solid walls, assess the condition of pointing and mortar joints, and identify any vegetation growth that could indicate moisture problems. The durability of granite means these buildings can last for centuries, but only if they're properly maintained and any issues are caught early.

Properties in this coastal parish also face exposure to Cornwall's maritime climate. Our inspectors assess the impact of wind, rain, and salt air on external finishes, joinery, and roofing materials. We've found that properties within a mile of the coast often show accelerated weathering compared to inland properties, and our reports specifically highlight maintenance items relevant to this coastal environment. Salt corrosion on metal elements, timber decay at lower levels, and mortar erosion are all common issues we identify in our surveys of coastal properties around St. Levan.

The area near Penzance has seen various periods of development, from traditional farmsteads to more recent residential construction. Understanding the history of construction in the area helps our surveyors anticipate the types of issues they might find. Properties built before 1919 often have different characteristics than those built in the mid-twentieth century, and our inspectors are trained to recognise these differences and apply the appropriate assessment criteria to each property.

• Traditional granite construction assessment
• Coastal weathering evaluation
• Listed building considerations
• Historic modification review
• Energy efficiency assessment