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RICS Level 2 Surveys

RICS Level 2 Homebuyer Survey in Bigbury

Comprehensive property inspections from chartered surveyors serving the South Hams area

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Your Bigbury RICS Level 2 Survey

We provide RICS Level 2 Homebuyer Surveys across Bigbury and the surrounding South Hams villages. Our team of qualified chartered surveyors inspect properties throughout this beautiful coastal area, from Bigbury-on-Sea through to the inland parishes, delivering detailed reports that help you make informed purchasing decisions. looking at a traditional cottage near the village centre or a modern home in one of the newer developments, we ensure you receive a thorough assessment of the property's condition.

Bigbury presents a unique property market with an average house price of £758,750 and a significant proportion of larger homes - over a third of properties here have four or more bedrooms. This is substantially higher than the national average, reflecting the area's desirability as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Our inspectors understand the local construction methods, from traditional Devon cottages dating back to the 1800s through to more recent developments, and we tailor our surveys to identify issues specific to properties in this coastal location.

The local property market has seen notable changes in recent years, with prices currently sitting 37% below the previous year's levels and 46% down from the 2017 peak of £1,395,000. This shift makes understanding the true condition of any property you're considering even more important. With 58.1% of households in Bigbury owning their home outright compared to just 42.2% across Devon, the area attracts buyers seeking quality in a stunning natural environment. Our chartered surveyors bring local knowledge of the South Hams district to every inspection, ensuring you get practical advice backed by years of experience with properties in this coastal parish.

When you book a RICS Level 2 survey with us, we assign a qualified surveyor who understands the specific challenges properties face in this part of Devon. From the effects of salt air on external joinery to the condition of traditional roof structures on older cottages, we know what to look for. We inspect properties throughout the parish, including areas near Bigbury Golf Club and the newer developments in St Ann's Chapel, providing you with the confidence you need when making one of the largest financial decisions of your life.

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Bigbury Property Market Overview

£758,750

Average House Price

36.6%

Properties with 4+ Bedrooms

58.1%

Owner-Occupied Properties

Significant proportion

Properties Built Pre-1919

38.9%

Working from Home

£563,125

Bigbury-on-Sea Average

What Our Level 2 Survey Covers in Bigbury

Our RICS Level 2 Homebuyer Survey is a visual check of all accessible parts of the property. We look at walls, roof, floors, windows, doors and the structural fabric, picking up defects or warning signs that could affect value or safety. In Bigbury, where homes range from historic cottages to contemporary houses, our surveyors pay close attention to the issues we see most often in the local stock, such as roof condition on older properties, damp penetration in traditional stone and rendered buildings, and the state of drainage systems serving larger homes.

The condition ratings are set out clearly, with each element marked OK, requires attention, requires urgent repair, or requires investigation. We also examine any visible signs of structural movement, a point that can matter in some older properties across the South Hams district. Outbuildings, garages and the general grounds are included in our review too, so we can give a full picture of what is being bought.

Because Bigbury sits on the coast, we give extra weight to exposure and salt air corrosion, especially on homes closer to the sea at Bigbury-on-Sea. We check for damp and mould, which can be more common in coastal settings, inspect window frames and outside timber for rot, and judge how well the external finishes have weathered. For properties in the higher value bracket typical of this area, that extra scrutiny helps protect a substantial investment.

That local housing mix brings its own challenges, and our surveyors are trained to spot them. In the parish, 42.4% of properties have three bedrooms and only 2.9% have just one bedroom, so the market is heavily weighted towards family homes and larger houses. Many were built before modern building regulations, which means our inspectors keep a close eye on original structural elements, historic roofing materials and any alterations made over the years. We look for signs of earlier repairs, future maintenance needs and any persistent issues that may still need attention.

Structural walls and foundations
Roof, chimneys, and gutters
Windows, doors, and joinery
Damp and moisture assessment
Electrical and plumbing visible evidence
Outbuildings and boundaries

Bigbury Property Values by Type

Detached Homes £875,000+

Large Properties £758,750 avg

Family Homes £550,000+

Coastal Properties £563,125 avg

Source: Homemove Market Data 2024

How Your Bigbury Survey Works

Book Online or Call

Booking a RICS Level 2 survey is straightforward, either through our online system or by speaking with our team. We arrange a convenient appointment for the inspection. The booking process also takes account of where the property sits within the Bigbury parish, including homes in Bigbury-on-Sea and the surrounding villages, so we can match the job with a surveyor who knows the local area.

Property Inspection

At the property, our chartered surveyor carries out a thorough visual inspection of every accessible area. Depending on size and complexity, the visit usually takes 1-3 hours. Larger detached homes, which form a significant part of the local housing stock, are given extra time so each element can be assessed properly. Roof structure, damp or movement in walls, windows, doors and the general condition of the building are all examined during the visit.

Receive Your Report

We then send the detailed RICS Level 2 Homebuyer Survey report by email within 3-5 working days, with clear condition ratings and practical recommendations. Any issues we find are explained plainly, from minor defects that need attention to more serious problems that may need urgent repair. Where it matters, we relate the advice to local conditions, including coastal exposure and the sorts of issues seen in older properties across the South Hams area.

Expert Surveyors Serving Bigbury

Across the South Hams district, including Bigbury and the nearby villages, our team of RICS chartered surveyors has spent years inspecting all kinds of property. We know the local market and the construction types commonly found here, from traditional Devon longhouses to modern coastal developments. Booking with us means local knowledge supported by national professional standards.

Every surveyor on our team holds the right professional qualifications and keeps up with continuing professional development, so we stay current with building regulations, construction methods and survey standards. That local knowledge is especially useful in Bigbury, where the particular demands of the environment help shape the quality of our reports. We have inspected homes across the parish, from traditional cottages near the village church to modern houses overlooking the coastline, which gives us a practical grasp of the issues that matter most to buyers here.

We aim for reports that are clear, practical and genuinely helpful. Instead of burying the reader in technical jargon, we set out our findings in straightforward language while keeping the professional detail that experienced buyers expect. Our surveyors know the range of homes in Bigbury, including the larger detached properties that dominate the market and the smaller cottages that do appear from time to time. That experience helps us know where to look and what advice is likely to matter for a specific property.

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Important for Bigbury Buyers

Bigbury’s coastal setting, together with the high share of older homes, makes a RICS Level 2 survey particularly useful. Our inspectors understand the pressures on properties in this Environment Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, from damp in traditional buildings to the effects of coastal weather on external joinery and roofing materials. With 38.9% of the working population working mainly from home, many houses have been adapted for home office use, and we can assess any alterations or related requirements.

Why Bigbury Properties Need Specialised Surveys

Unlike urban markets, Bigbury’s property stock is dominated by larger detached homes and a sizeable number of houses built before modern building regulations. More than 36% of homes in the parish have four or more bedrooms, compared with just 21% nationally, which reflects the premium nature of property in this sought-after area. Transactions here often involve substantial sums, so a detailed survey gives essential protection.

There is also a notable stock of older buildings, with some cottages dating back to the 1800s. Traditional properties like these need a careful hand, because they were built using methods and materials quite different from modern construction. Our surveyors understand those techniques and can pick up issues that less experienced assessors might miss, from the condition of historic roof structures to the presence of traditional lime-based renders that need a different approach from modern cement mortars.

Properties in Bigbury-on-Sea can face different pressures from those further inland because of their lower-lying coastal position. Being close to the sea can mean salt air corrosion on external metalwork, faster weathering of roof coverings and higher humidity levels affecting internal conditions. Our surveys take those coastal factors into account, so you get a proper sense of how the marine environment may be affecting the property.

The local economy has a bearing too. With 51.8% of the population economically inactive, compared with the Devon average of 43.6%, some properties may have seen less maintenance than others. Our surveyors are used to spotting deferred upkeep and distinguishing genuine defects from the ordinary wear and tear that comes with a certain age of home. That leaves you with a clear view of the property’s current condition, which is what matters when deciding whether to proceed.

Survey Options Comparison

Feature	RICS Level 2 (Homebuyer)	RICS Level 3 (Building Survey)
Best for	Properties under 50 years old	Older or complex properties
Inspection depth	Visual inspection of accessible areas	Detailed inspection of all areas
Report length	Typically 10-20 pages	Typically 20-50 pages
Defect identification	Condition ratings and recommendations	Detailed analysis with causes
Advice on repairs	General guidance	Specific repair specifications
Recommended for	Standard homes in Bigbury	Historic or unusual properties

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a RICS Level 2 survey include?

A RICS Level 2 Homebuyer Survey covers a full visual inspection of all accessible parts of the property, including the structure, roof, walls, windows, doors, damp assessment and more. The report gives clear condition ratings for each element and highlights any urgent defects or matters needing further investigation. In Bigbury, we adapt the inspection to local concerns such as coastal exposure and older construction methods. That means checking for salt air corrosion on external metalwork, looking at the condition of traditional lime-based renders common on older cottages, and judging how the coastal environment may have affected the building over time.

How much does a Level 2 survey cost in Bigbury?

For Bigbury, RICS Level 2 survey pricing usually starts from around £350 for smaller properties, with larger homes and those needing a more involved inspection costing more. The final fee depends on the size, age and condition of the property. With average prices around £758,750, the survey cost is strong value for protecting a significant investment. We keep our pricing competitive without cutting back on the thoroughness of the inspection or the quality of the final report.

Do I need a survey for a new build property in Bigbury?

Even new build properties in Bigbury can benefit from a RICS Level 2 survey. Newer homes tend to have fewer problems, but we can still pick up defects in materials or workmanship that an untrained eye might miss. New build activity is limited in Bigbury itself, with most recent development taking place nearby in areas like St Ann's Chapel, and our inspectors are used to assessing both traditional and modern construction. We can identify snagging issues, problems with recent installations and any parts of the build that fall short of expected standards.

How long does the survey take?

On site, the inspection for a RICS Level 2 survey in Bigbury usually takes between 1-3 hours, depending on the size and complexity of the property. Larger detached homes, which make up a significant part of the local housing stock, naturally take longer than smaller houses. Our surveyors work carefully and methodically so nothing is overlooked, checking all accessible areas including roof spaces, visible sub-floor areas and any outbuildings or garages included with the property.

When will I receive my survey report?

We aim to send your RICS Level 2 survey report within 3-5 working days of the property inspection. In most cases, Bigbury property owners receive the completed report within that timeframe, giving them the information needed to move ahead with confidence or to negotiate repairs with the seller on the basis of our findings. If a quicker turnaround is needed, let us know at booking and we will do what we can to fit the timeline.

Can you survey listed buildings in the Bigbury area?

Across the South Hams area, our surveyors regularly inspect older buildings that may carry historic significance. A standard RICS Level 2 survey gives useful information for listed buildings, but we always advise discussing any heritage issues with our team. Around Bigbury there are listed properties that need particular care, and we can help you judge whether a RICS Level 3 Building Survey would be a better fit for a heritage home, because it gives a fuller analysis of historic construction and condition.

What specific issues do you look for in Bigbury properties given the coastal location?

Being on the coast means we pay close attention to a few Bigbury-specific matters during the survey. We look for damp and mould, which can be more common in coastal properties because of higher humidity levels, inspect window frames and external timber for rot accelerated by salt air, and assess roofing materials that may weather faster in this exposed setting. We also check for corrosion on external metalwork, salt-related damage to render and any signs of structural movement that could be linked to local ground conditions.

How does the local property market affect the need for a survey?

Recent market movements have left Bigbury property values 37% below previous year levels, which makes it even more important for buyers to understand the real condition of a home. With 58.1% of households owning outright and many properties being substantial family houses, the sums involved are considerable. A RICS Level 2 survey gives you the detail needed to negotiate with confidence, whether that means asking for repairs, revising the purchase price or going ahead with a full understanding of what is being bought.