RICS Level 3 Building Survey Gillingham

Our RICS Level 3 Building Survey is the most detailed visual inspection in the RICS home survey range. In Gillingham, that means close attention to the visible condition of local stone walls, brick dressings, render, roof coverings, chimneys, floors, and the parts of the building that often fail first in older SP8 homes. We inspect accessible loft spaces, sub-floor areas, external elevations, and other visible parts, then comment on construction, materials, defects, repairs, and the maintenance the property will need.

The report does more than list faults. It explains why a defect matters, what happens if it is left alone, and what type of repair is usually needed next. That is useful in streets such as High Street and St Mary's Lane, where a 19th century wall can suffer from failed lime mortar, poor pointing, or later cement repairs that trap moisture in stone or brick. It is also useful on later homes near Wyke Road or Lodden View, where the structure may be modern, but settlement cracks, roof detailing, or drainage falls still deserve a proper read.

A Level 3 Survey does not include destructive opening-up work, lifting carpets, or drilling into walls to see what sits behind the finish. It is not a drainage CCTV inspection, and it does not test electrics, gas, plumbing, or appliances in the way a specialist would. If the surveyor sees movement, a hidden defect, or a service issue that needs a closer look, our reports will say so and point you towards the right follow-up.

• Visible structure and fabric
• Loft, roof void, and sub-floor inspection where accessible
• Commentary on defects, repairs, and maintenance priorities
• Advice on the consequences of leaving problems unresolved

Gillingham's housing stock is mixed, and that changes the defect profile street by street. Older homes in the town centre often use local stone, including greensand and limestone, with brick detailing or later extensions, while Victorian and Edwardian houses commonly use red brick with slate roofs and suspended timber floors. Homes from the 1945 to 1980 period can bring cavity wall quirks, concrete roof tiles, and lintels that now sit near the end of their service life.

The local ground matters too. Gault Clay brings a moderate to high shrink-swell risk, so movement can show up as stepped cracks, sticking doors, and distortions around bay windows or rear additions, especially after dry weather followed by heavy rain. Trees close to shallow foundations can make that worse. Add the River Stour flood corridor and surface water risk in low-lying parts of the town, and you have a setting where damp, movement, and drainage should all be looked at together rather than in isolation.

We also see the same building faults repeating in different parts of SP8. On solid wall properties, rising damp, damaged lime mortar, and poor breathable repairs are common. On cavity wall homes, wall tie corrosion, failed cavity insulation, and cracking above openings appear again and again. Roofs often need attention for slipped slates, failing leadwork, blocked gutters, and chimney stacks that have weathered faster than the rest of the house.

• Gault Clay shrink-swell risk
• River Stour flood exposure
• Town centre Conservation Area
• Listed buildings including St Mary the Virgin Church