RICS Level 2 Survey in Ashley

A RICS Level 2 survey gives a careful look at the property’s visible and accessible parts, so we can set out its overall condition plainly. Our chartered surveyors inspect the walls, roof, floors, doors and windows, along with the building’s services, including plumbing, heating and electrical installations. We also look at any alterations or extensions that may have been carried out, and flag any building regulation compliance issues that could affect your ownership or future resale value.

In Ashley, where older character homes sit alongside more recent builds, our surveyors pay close attention to the kinds of problems we commonly see locally. The report uses a simple traffic-light system, red for serious issues needing urgent attention, amber for defects to take up with the seller, and green for satisfactory conditions. It gives a clear read on what you are buying, and it can strengthen your hand when discussing the sale price or asking for repairs.

Our surveyors are trained to spot issues that crop up in the Market Drayton region, including movement in homes built on clay subsoils, which are common throughout Shropshire. We look for signs of subsidence, cracking to external walls, and problems with damp proof courses, all of which can be especially troublesome in older properties. The assessment also covers roofing materials, including tiles and flat roof coverings, which can wear faster where they are exposed to the elements.

• Roof condition and covering
• Walls, chimneys, and damp proof course
• Windows, doors, and joinery
• Floors, stairs, and ceilings
• Plumbing and water systems
• Heating and electrical installations
• Garages and outbuildings
• Signs of subsidence or structural movement

Market conditions in Ashley make a RICS Level 2 survey especially useful if you want to protect your investment. With prices having corrected significantly from their 2022 peak, buyers have more room to negotiate, but that also makes proper checks all the more important. A thorough survey helps you avoid a property with hidden structural issues or serious defects that could drag down value further.

Homes in the Ashley area cover several decades of construction, from period cottages through to modern family houses. Each era tends to bring its own set of familiar defects. Older properties may have original timber frames, tired roof coverings and outdated electrical systems that need a closer look. Newer homes usually demand less upkeep, though they can still bring issues linked to speed of build or the use of modern construction materials, which our surveyors know to check for.

Because we work in Ashley and across the Market Drayton area, we understand the local pressures on these properties. We have seen everything from movement in homes on shrinkable clay soils to worn traditional brickwork in older houses. That local knowledge, alongside our RICS training, means your survey focuses on the information that matters most for your particular property.

Your RICS Level 2 survey report is set out to be clear and practical, giving you the detail you need to move forward with a property purchase in Ashley. It opens with a summary of the property’s overall condition, then moves through each major building element in turn. Every section gives a clear rating, a description of what we found and our recommendation for any action needed. Photographs are included throughout so you can see the issues for yourself.

The report also has a section on legal considerations, pointing out anything you may need to raise with your conveyancing solicitor. That can cover boundary matters, permissions for alterations, or local authority notices affecting the property. Our aim is to give you a full picture before you commit, and cut the risk of unexpected costs or complications after you move in.

For Ashley properties, we give particular attention to damp proof courses, as many older homes in the area may never have been treated or may have damaged existing systems. We also look closely at timber elements, including floor joists and roof trusses, checking for rot or insect damage that could weaken the property’s structural integrity.

Ashley, in the TF9 postcode area near Market Drayton, has a broad mix of property types, each with its own considerations for our surveyors. The village and surrounding area include traditional terraced cottages, period farmhouses, interwar semi-detached houses and more recent residential developments. Knowing the construction methods and materials used in each type is key to spotting possible problems.

Properties built before 1919 in the Ashley area often have solid brick walls without cavity insulation, which can be more prone to damp penetration if the external rendering or pointing has broken down. These older homes may also keep their original timber windows and doors, which are full of character but may need regular maintenance or renovation. Our surveyors assess these features and advise on any work needed to bring them up to standard.

Many Ashley homes were built in the mid-twentieth century using traditional brick and block methods with timber roof structures. They are often sound, though they can show wear to roofing materials, deteriorating pointing and original windows that may not meet current energy efficiency standards. Our RICS Level 2 survey identifies those issues and offers practical recommendations for dealing with them.