RICS Level 2 Survey in Blackpool

Our RICS Level 2 Survey gives you a detailed visual inspection of every accessible part of the property. In Blackpool, with its varied housing stock, that can mean looking closely at traditional brickwork in many pre-war homes along Queens Promenade, then switching to the more modern construction methods found in newer schemes around Redwood Boulevard. We assess the property's condition in detail, flagging defects that could affect value or safety. Walls, floors, ceilings, roofs and foundations are all examined, so we can give you a clear picture of the building's current state.

In Blackpool's coastal setting, we pay particular attention to movement, dampness and rot. Salt air from the Irish Sea, along with persistent moisture exposure, can speed up the weathering of outside materials, so we check render condition, brickwork deterioration and the integrity of window frames, especially on older homes. The glacial till geology beneath much of Blackpool, notably in Marton and Great Marton, can also bring shrink-swell risks in periods of heavy rainfall or drought, which is why our surveyors look carefully for signs of subsidence or ground movement that could point to foundation problems.

We also review the condition of important services, including plumbing, electrical installations, heating systems and drainage. That matters all the more in properties near the coast, in flood-risk areas, or in homes with the older drainage systems often found across the town. In the report, each element is given a clear traffic light rating, so it is straightforward to see what needs immediate attention and what should simply be watched over time. It is a practical way to help you prioritise remedial work and understand the overall condition of the property you are buying.

• Structural walls and foundations
• Roof structure and coverings
• Windows, doors, and joinery
• Dampness and timber condition
• Plumbing and drainage
• Electrical installations
• Heating systems
• External finishes

As a seaside resort town with a long history, Blackpool has a property market shaped by its past. There is a large number of Victorian and Edwardian terraces, especially in South Shore, Central Blackpool and along the Promenade. These homes often have plenty of character, but they also commonly have solid brick walls that can suffer damp penetration where maintenance has slipped. We know the signs of condensation and penetrating damp that turn up time and again in period housing here. Many of these older buildings also have render or pebble-dash finishes, and those finishes can deteriorate gradually in Blackpool's maritime climate.

The local market also has a strong share of semi-detached housing, with approximately 39.5% of sales falling into this category. Many buyers therefore end up considering semi-detached homes built between the 1920s and 1960s in places such as Marton, Great Marton, and Poulton-le-Fylde. These houses are usually cavity brick built, though defects often show up in roof coverings, pointing and original windows after decades of exposure to maritime conditions. Our inspectors pay close attention to roof tiles, chimney stacks and flashings because those are among the most common trouble spots.

Newer homes make up a smaller slice of the Blackpool market, though building activity is increasing in areas such as Marton Moss. At The Shore at Redwood Gardens, modern detached homes are typically priced from £250,000 to £400,000. Even so, a Level 2 Survey still has value here, because construction defects and workmanship issues are not always obvious during a viewing. We inspect new builds to the same high standard as older homes, checking that recently built properties meet acceptable quality thresholds. With 90 new build sales recorded in the Blackpool postcode area in the last year, this part of the market deserves careful scrutiny as well.

Some parts of Blackpool fall within conservation areas, including sections of Stanley Park and stretches along the promenade. We understand what those designations can mean in practice and can explain how they may affect future maintenance or renovation plans. We also keep in mind the town's flooding profile. Areas of Blackpool can be exposed to coastal flooding during storm surges and high tides, while more built-up locations may be affected by urban surface water flooding, so we look for visible evidence of water damage and any flood mitigation measures a buyer should know about.

Your RICS Level 2 Survey report is set out in a standardised format, so the condition of the property is easy to follow. Each part of the building is given a rating of 1 (No repair currently needed), 2 (Defects requiring attention but not serious or urgent), or 3 (Serious defects requiring urgent attention). This makes it easier to judge which items need dealing with first and to understand the overall condition of the property you are buying. We also include a summary section that draws out the main findings, so the key concerns are clear before you move into the detailed pages.

Alongside the ratings, the report sets out practical recommendations for the issues found during the inspection. In Blackpool, that often means advice on improving ventilation to reduce condensation, maintaining external render and brickwork to stop damp penetration, and checking drainage is working properly, especially in areas that are more prone to surface water flooding. Where possible, our surveyors include estimated costs to help you plan for works after completion. We also point out maintenance items that are worth tackling now, before they grow into bigger problems.

If we uncover significant issues, further specialist investigation may be the sensible next step. A suspected case of subsidence or notable structural movement, for instance, may lead us to recommend a structural engineer. If Japanese Knotweed or another invasive species is suspected, we may advise a specialist survey instead. Those extra investigations do not form part of the Level 2 Survey, but our recommendation means you have the information needed to make safe, informed decisions about the purchase. We want you going into that decision with full knowledge of any problems.