RICS Level 2 Survey Westbourne

The RICS Level 2 Survey provides a comprehensive visual inspection of all accessible areas of your Westbourne property. Our chartered surveyors examine the main structural elements including walls, floors, ceilings, roofs, and foundations, looking for signs of movement, damage, or deterioration that could impact the building's integrity. We systematically assess each element and provide clear condition ratings that help you understand the severity of any issues identified.

Given Westbourne's significant Victorian heritage, with properties often dating from the late 19th century, our survey pays particular attention to the unique challenges these period homes present. We check original timber frames, assess aging roof structures, and evaluate the condition of traditional brickwork and stone dressings that characterise buildings throughout the area. Many properties feature the distinctive red brick with stone dressings seen in the Grade II listed Victorian shopping arcade and Westbourne Library.

The inspection covers all major building elements from the roof down to the foundations, including windows and doors, damp and timber condition, plumbing and electrical services, and external areas. We provide clear condition ratings for each element, making it easy to understand which issues require urgent attention and which merit future monitoring. Our reports include practical recommendations for addressing any defects discovered during the inspection.

The RICS Level 2 Survey is particularly suitable for Westbourne's housing stock, which includes a high proportion of flats resulting from conversions of large period properties. We carefully check for appropriate building control consents and assess whether modifications have affected structural integrity. This is especially important in a Conservation Area where many buildings have been altered over the years.

• External walls and roof structure
• Windows, doors, and joinery
• Damp and timber condition assessment
• Services and utilities
• Insulation and energy efficiency
• Grounds and external areas

Properties in Westbourne frequently present challenges related to their age and coastal proximity. The sandy Eocene subsoils in this area can lead to ground movement, particularly in properties with shallow foundations common in Victorian-era construction. Our surveyors are experienced in identifying signs of subsidence or foundation movement that might otherwise go unnoticed, including cracks in walls, uneven floors, and doors that stick or don't close properly.

Coastal weathering affects external elements throughout Westbourne, with salt air accelerating the deterioration of timber and metal components. We routinely identify issues with roof coverings, rendering, and external joinery that require maintenance or repair. The proximity to Alum Chine beach means properties in certain locations face particular exposure to marine conditions. This is especially relevant for properties along West Overcliff Drive and roads nearest the beach.

The popularity of flat conversions in Westbourne means many properties have been altered from their original design. We carefully check for appropriate building control consents and assess whether modifications have affected structural integrity. This is particularly relevant for period buildings that have been divided into multiple units, where we often find issues with shared drainage, sound insulation, and fire safety arrangements.

Westbourne contains a notable concentration of listed buildings, including St Ambrose Church (Grade II*), the Victorian shopping arcade, Westbourne Library, Herbert Hospital, and the former Grand Cinema. If you are purchasing a listed property, our surveyors understand the additional considerations required, including restrictions on alterations and the importance of maintaining historic features.

• Subsidence and foundation movement
• Roof and gutter deterioration
• Rising and penetrating damp
• Timber decay and woodworm
• Render and external wall defects
• Missing or inadequate insulation

Westbourne continues to see new development activity, with developments like Granville Works on R L Stevenson Avenue offering modern apartments in the BH4 area. This development of fourteen 1 and 2 bedroom apartments represents the type of new build activity in the area, with properties listed from around £245,000. Even new build properties benefit from a Level 2 Survey, as construction defects can occur and snagging issues may not be immediately apparent to the untrained eye.

Our surveyors can identify issues in new builds such as inadequate insulation, poorly fitted windows, drainage problems, or cosmetic defects that developers should rectify before completion. A Level 2 Survey on a new build provides you with documented evidence of any issues to raise with the developer or their warranty provider. This is particularly valuable given the current market conditions, with prices in Westbourne down 9% on the previous year.

For those purchasing off-plan or at early construction stages, we can discuss the property at the build stage and provide advice on what to look for during site visits. Once completed, a full survey before legal completion ensures you are not inheriting problems that should be the developer's responsibility. We have experience surveying new developments throughout the Bournemouth area and understand what defects are most common in modern construction.