RICS Level 3 Survey in Great Ashby

A RICS Level 3 Survey, also known as a Building Survey, provides the most detailed assessment of a property's condition available through RICS. Our inspectors examine the entire building structure, including walls, floors, ceilings, roofs, chimneys, and foundations. The survey identifies all visible defects, assesses their cause and severity, and provides recommendations for remedial work. For properties in Great Ashby, our surveyors pay particular attention to common issues found in modern brick-built homes, including roof conditions, window installations, and drainage systems.

The report goes beyond simply listing problems. Our surveyors explain the implications of each defect, prioritise repairs by urgency, and provide cost guidance for remediation. purchasing a terraced house on Great Ashby Way, where properties have averaged £498,333 over the past year, or a detached family home, the Level 3 Survey gives you the information needed to negotiate repairs or price adjustments with sellers.

Unlike mortgage valuations, which focus primarily on the property's marketability, a Level 3 Survey examines the actual physical condition. This is particularly important in Great Ashby, where the housing stock, while modern, can still suffer from issues such as inadequate drainage, poor window fitting, and the effects of clay shrink-swell on foundations. With 45.5% of recent sales being terraced properties, understanding the specific challenges of this construction type is essential.

Our surveyors also assess external factors that can affect the property, including proximity to trees that may cause soil drying, the condition of drainage and soakaway systems, and any signs of past ground movement. For properties near the GA2 allocation area to the north-east of Great Ashby, where up to 640 new dwellings are planned, we consider how surrounding development may impact drainage and ground conditions.

• Complete structural inspection
• Detailed defect analysis
• Priority repair recommendations
• Cost estimates for remedial work
• Professional advice on property condition

Great Ashby's location in Hertfordshire places it in an area known for clay-rich soils, which present a specific structural risk through shrink-swell behaviour. When the clay soil dries out, such as during hot summer months or extended dry periods, it shrinks and can cause foundations to move. Conversely, when moisture returns, the soil expands and can cause heave. This ground movement, though often subtle, can lead to structural damage over time, manifesting as cracks in walls, sticking doors and windows, or uneven floors.

Our Level 3 Surveyors are trained to identify the signs of shrink-swell movement, including characteristic diagonal cracks near windows and doors, gaps between walls and ceilings, and signs of previous repair work that may indicate past movement. We also assess external factors such as trees close to the property, which can accelerate soil drying and increase shrink-swell risk. The development of the large GA2 allocation to the north-east of Great Ashby, bringing up to 640 new dwellings, may also influence ground conditions in the area through changes to drainage and water table levels.

While Great Ashby's modern housing stock was built with modern foundations designed for the local soil conditions, older properties in the wider Stevenage area or those that have undergone significant alterations may still be vulnerable. Our surveyors check for signs of past movement, inadequate foundation depth, or drainage issues that could exacerbate ground movement. Properties with flat roofs, which are common in some modern designs, also require careful inspection for ponding and deterioration that can lead to water ingress.

The proximity of trees and vegetation to properties is particularly important in Great Ashby, as trees planted too close to foundations can cause significant soil drying, accelerating shrink-swell movement. Our surveyors document any trees within falling distance of the property and assess their potential impact on foundations. We also examine the condition of drainage systems, as poor drainage can lead to water pooling near foundations and exacerbate ground movement issues.

• Clay shrink-swell subsidence risk
• Foundation movement indicators
• Tree proximity assessment
• Drainage and soakaway condition
• Flat roof deterioration
• Window and door alignment