RICS Level 3 Building Survey Fishguard and Goodwick

The housing stock in Fishguard and Goodwick differs significantly from newer developments, with a substantial proportion of properties constructed before 1900 using traditional methods that modern survey techniques are specifically designed to assess. The town's location on the Pembrokeshire coast means properties face exposure to salty air and coastal weather conditions that can accelerate deterioration of external fabrics, roof coverings, and joinery elements. Our Level 3 survey methodology is particularly suited to these older properties, examining the full structure from foundation to roof and identifying defects that relate to the original construction era.

The local geology presents specific considerations for property buyers. Fishguard sits on Ordovician volcanic gabbros that form the dramatic cliffs around the bay, while harbour areas contain mudstones and sandstones that can behave differently under load-bearing structures. The presence of mudstones in certain areas suggests potential for clay-related ground movement, particularly where properties have shallower foundations typical of their era. Our surveyors understand these local ground conditions and factor them into their structural assessments, checking for signs of movement, subsidence, heave, or slope instability that might affect the property's long-term stability.

Surface water flooding has affected Fishguard in recent years, with incidents of combined storm overflows creating damp conditions in lower-lying properties. Goodwick Moor, located in the valley between the two towns, sits on a natural flood plain and can become waterlogged during winter months or periods of heavy rain coinciding with spring tides. Properties in these areas, or those with basements or cellars, require particular attention to damp-proofing and drainage. Our inspectors examine how properties have been affected by historical flooding and assess the effectiveness of any existing damp courses or drainage systems.

The economic history of Fishguard and Goodwick also influences the property landscape. The closure of the Trecwn ammunition depot in 1987 removed over 3,000 jobs from the local economy, significantly impacting the housing market in subsequent decades. More recently, the garment factory closure in Goodwick resulted in over 60 job losses, highlighting ongoing economic vulnerabilities. These factors mean that property conditions can vary considerably depending on whether owners have had the resources to maintain older properties, making our thorough survey even more valuable for prospective buyers.

The construction of properties throughout Fishguard and Goodwick reflects the town's development history, with distinct building types found in different areas. In the conservation area around Market Square and along Main Street, you'll find many properties constructed from local stone with traditional lime mortar pointing that requires specific maintenance approaches. Lower Town contains numerous harbour-side cottages and former fishing industry buildings, often with colourwashed rendered exteriors and corrugated roofing that was commonly used in the late 19th and early 20th centuries when the railway brought these materials to the area.

Goodwick's expansion in the late 1800s coincided with the railway and harbour development, creating a mix of Victorian and Edwardian terraces alongside earlier cottages. The Penyraber area of Fishguard contains more recent 20th-century housing, while the newest additions include the Parc y Chwarel development at Maesgwynne, where 50 new homes were completed in late 2025. Each construction era brings different potential defects, and our surveyors are familiar with the typical problems associated with each type found throughout the local area.

The geological conditions beneath Fishguard and Goodwick also influence construction methods and potential issues. Properties built on the volcanic rock formations around the bay may have different foundation requirements compared to those on the softer mudstone deposits closer to the harbour. The marine environment, with its salt-laden air and exposure to storms coming in from the Irish Sea, accelerates corrosion of metal fixings and deterioration of certain materials, particularly to sea-facing elevations and roofs on properties with views across the bay. The cliffs on either side of Lower Fishguard Harbour are designated as SSSI due to their significant geological value, specifically for notable Ordovician pillow lava, demonstrating the unique underlying conditions of this area.

The Shoreline Management Plan for Fishguard and Goodwick adopts a "hold the line" approach for the harbour areas, recognising the ongoing need to manage coastal processes. Properties close to the shoreline or with sea views may have been subject to specific engineering interventions that our surveyors will assess for their current condition and effectiveness.