RICS Level 2 Homebuyer Survey in Bere Regis

The RICS Level 2 Homebuyer Survey suits properties in reasonable condition, especially those built with conventional construction methods. Our inspectors carry out a full visual check of all accessible parts of the home, from the roof space, where it is safe and reachable, to the exterior walls, windows and doors, floors, and interior fixtures. We look closely at walls, floors, ceilings and the roof structure for signs of defects, decay or damage that may need attention. A traffic light rating system then sets out the seriousness of anything we find.

Bere Regis has a mix of Georgian and Victorian homes, and some of the thatched cottages in Shitterton are over 500 years old, so age-related matters matter here. Our surveyors look carefully for damp penetration, which is particularly relevant given the clay deposits in the local geology that can contribute to subsidence or heave. Roofing is checked too, including slate and tile coverings, thatch where present, and the flashings around chimneys and dormer windows. In the Conservation Area, many properties also have traditional lime-based renders and historic brickwork from the former Doddings Brickyard, both of which need specialist assessment.

Services are part of the survey as well, including electrical installations, plumbing and heating systems. We note any obvious defects or safety concerns, although we always recommend specialist certificates from qualified electricians and gas engineers if full safety checks are needed. The report also looks at insulation and energy efficiency, so you can see where improvements might reduce long-term running costs. For homes in areas prone to groundwater flooding along the Bere Stream, we also assess flood resilience measures and drainage performance.

• Structural walls and foundations
• Roof structure and covering
• Windows, doors, and joinery
• Damp and moisture assessment
• Electrical and plumbing visible defects
• Insulation and energy efficiency
• Boundaries and exterior elements
• Parking and access arrangements

It is a striking geological spot, because the chalk of the Dorset Downs dips beneath younger layers of clay, sands and gravels. That mix has real consequences for property owners. With London Clay and Reading Beds in the ground, homes can be vulnerable to movement during drought or heavy rainfall. Wet clay expands, dry clay contracts, and the result can be subsidence or heave, seen as cracking walls, uneven floors or doors and windows that no longer sit right. The British Geological Survey says clay shrinkage subsidence accounts for around 70% of all subsidence cases in the UK, the South East is particularly at risk, and climate change is expected to raise that risk further.

Flooding is another recurring issue here, especially along the Bere Stream that runs through Shitterton and Bere Regis. Homes in Flood Zones 2 and 3 along the stream corridor may see periodic inundation, and high groundwater can affect septic tanks and sewer systems. After heavy rain, roads in the lower-lying parts can even become impassable as groundwater rises. Our surveyors look closely at flood resilience measures, drainage arrangements and any signs of earlier water damage or damp penetration, and we also check for pumps or other mitigation already in place.

Bere Regis housing reflects a long and at times turbulent past. Major fires in 1777 and in earlier centuries destroyed many of the oldest buildings, so a large part of the current stock dates from the Georgian and Victorian periods onwards. Shitterton hamlet, though, still has an exceptional run of medieval and post-medieval thatched cottages, including Honeycombe Cottage, which is around 550 years old. These older homes have plenty of character, but they need careful inspection for timber decay, thatch condition and the condition of traditional rendered cob walls.

There are 55 listed buildings in the village centre, many of them grouped along North Street, West Street and Blind Street. A lot of these properties use traditional construction, including locally-made brick from the former Doddings Brickyard, which operated from the 17th century until 1911 and used London Clay taken from the surrounding area. Knowing how these buildings were made is vital, because repairs need the right materials and methods. Modern cement-based products can do real harm to historic fabric.

The buildings in Bere Regis show a wide range of construction methods, all tied to the village’s history and local materials. Traditional homes in the village and the surrounding hamlets often use rendered cob walls, a Dorset building technique made with earth and straw. Shitterton is particularly well known for its large number of thatched properties, some of them centuries old. These older buildings usually have thick stone or rubble walls, lime-based renders and traditional timber-framed windows. Thatch needs close attention, because deterioration can lead to serious water ingress and structural damage.

After the fires that swept through the village, especially the major fire of 1777, many buildings were rebuilt in local brick. The brickworks at Doddings Brickyard operated from the 17th century until 1911 and produced bricks using London Clay dug from the area around the village. Those bricks were used widely in the post-fire rebuilding, particularly along West Street, and they give much of the village its distinctive look. Getting the construction type right matters, because incompatible modern materials can trap moisture and speed up decay in historic structures.

Rye Hill’s Rochester Court retirement bungalows are a good example of more modern development in the area, with conventional brick and blockwork, insulated cavities and up-to-date roofing materials. When we inspect newer properties like these, the emphasis shifts to build quality, insulation standards and any issues caused by defects or shortcuts during construction. We also look at how modern extensions sit alongside older original parts where homes have been renovated or enlarged.