RICS Level 3 Building Survey in Kennett

The Kennett housing market presents a diverse mix of property types, from newbuild homes on the Kennett Garden Village development to historic Grade II Listed buildings scattered throughout the village. The CB8 7QL postcode area has seen property prices rise by 2.9% over the past year, 21.7% over five years, and an impressive 54.5% over the past decade. With 262 property sales recorded in the last year, Kennett remains an active market in Cambridgeshire. This variety in property age and type means that a standard mortgage valuation simply will not provide the detailed information you need about the actual condition of the building.

Our RICS Level 3 Survey is specifically recommended for older properties, converted buildings, and any home where you intend to carry out renovations or extensions. Kennett's older properties, including those 18th-century thatched cottages and other period homes, may hide structural issues that only become apparent through a detailed inspection. The survey provides you with a complete picture of the property's condition, including walls, roof structure, foundations, and all major building elements.

For buyers acquiring newbuild properties on developments like Kennett Garden Village, the Level 3 Survey still adds significant value by identifying any construction defects, snagging issues, or workmanship problems that may not be visible during a casual viewing. Even with new homes, defects can occur, and having a professional assessment protects your substantial investment in the Cambridgeshire property market. The development, built by Ashberry and Bellway, includes 350 open market homes and 150 affordable homes, including nine £100k Homes for eligible buyers.

Properties in Kennett are predominantly owner-occupied, with the area seeing consistent demand from families drawn to the village's proximity to Newmarket and excellent transport links to Cambridge. Whether you are purchasing a period cottage with original features or a modern newbuild, our surveyors provide the detailed assessment you need to protect your investment.

The RICS Level 3 Building Survey represents the most comprehensive inspection product available for residential properties in England and Wales. Our inspectors examine every accessible part of the property structure, from the roof down to the foundations. This includes detailed assessments of the roof covering, chimneys, parapet walls, gutters and drainage, external walls, windows and doors, internal floors, walls and ceilings, and the condition of any garages or outbuildings included in the property.

Unlike simpler survey products, the Level 3 Survey provides specific advice on repairs needed, their urgency, and approximate cost implications. Our surveyors will identify defects, explain their causes, and recommend appropriate remediation strategies. For Kennett properties with unique construction features such as thatched roofs or period detailing, our inspectors have the expertise to assess these specialized elements and flag any concerns specific to traditional building methods.

The survey report includes clear colour-coded ratings that instantly highlight the most serious issues requiring immediate attention versus those that are minor cosmetic defects. This graduated system helps you prioritize repairs and negotiate appropriately with sellers based on the actual condition of the property rather than relying on incomplete information from viewings or mortgage valuations.

We also assess the condition of services throughout the property, including heating systems, electrical installations, plumbing, and drainage. For properties in Kennett with older heating systems or historic electrical installations, this assessment is particularly valuable for identifying potential safety concerns or items requiring updating before purchase.

The Kennett Garden Village development, a 500-home scheme constructed by Ashberry and Bellway, represents significant new housing stock in the area. While newbuild properties may appear to be in pristine condition, professional surveys regularly identify defects that builders must rectify. Construction defects, snagging issues, and problems arising from rushed build programmes are common in new developments, even from reputable developers.

Our Level 3 Survey for newbuild properties in Kennett includes assessment of key build quality indicators such as window installation, roof detailing, damp proof course installation, and the quality of finishes throughout the property. We check that appliances, heating systems, and mechanical ventilation are installed correctly and functioning as intended. For the affordable homes component, including the £100k Homes scheme, our survey ensures that you receive exactly what you contracted to purchase.

The development has seen construction commence in 2023, with the primary school opening in November 2024 and the perimeter road completing in October 2025. Properties range from one-bedroom discounted homes to four-bedroom family houses, and our surveyors understand the specific issues that can affect different property sizes and configurations within this development context.

Even with new properties, we recommend a Level 3 Survey because it provides documented evidence of any defects for the developer to address. The New Build Team at Homemove can assist with snagging inspections and ensure that any issues are properly recorded for remediation by the builder.

Your RICS Level 3 Survey report is designed to be clear and actionable, even if you have no prior experience with property surveys. The report begins with a summary of the property's overall condition and highlights the most important issues that you need to be aware of. Each section of the property is then examined in detail, with clear descriptions of any defects found, their likely causes, and the recommended action to take.

We use a traffic light rating system throughout the report to quickly indicate the urgency of issues identified. Red rating indicates serious defects requiring urgent attention, amber indicates issues that should be addressed in the near future, and green indicates items that are in satisfactory condition or only require routine maintenance. This system helps you prioritize any work needed and budget appropriately for future repairs.

The report also includes a section on legal considerations that may affect the property, including any planning consents or building regulations approvals that may be relevant. For listed buildings in Kennett, we include specific guidance on listed building consent requirements and any maintenance obligations that come with owning a protected property. We can also advise on any environmental concerns noted during the inspection, such as potential flood risk or ground stability issues that may affect properties in this part of Cambridgeshire.