RICS Level 2 Survey in Bratton Clovelly

Our RICS Level 2 survey is a visual check of all accessible parts of a property. Our surveyors look closely at the main structural elements, walls, floors, ceilings and the roof structure, and we note any sign of movement, damp, rot or other defects that might hit the property’s value or lead to costly repairs. In Bratton Clovelly, where older homes often use traditional building methods, that sort of inspection is especially useful.

Each survey comes with condition ratings in three bands, Condition Rating 1 for no repair needed, Condition Rating 2 for repair or replacement needed, and Condition Rating 3 for urgent repair or replacement needed. We rate every section separately, so it is easy to see where the problems sit and how serious they are. The report also sets out a market valuation and an insurance reinstatement figure.

From outside to inside, our surveyors take in the walls, windows, doors and roof, then move through the ceilings, walls, floors and built-in fixtures. We use moisture meters to check for damp, inspect timber for rot or beetle activity, and assess the building’s overall structural integrity. Around Bratton Clovelly, with so many period properties, that careful approach helps pick up faults that are common in older construction.

We also review the property’s Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating, which gives a clearer picture of energy efficiency. With 44% of the local working population working from home, Bratton Clovelly buyers are increasingly interested in heating costs and insulation quality.

• Structural walls and foundations
• Roof structure and covering
• Damp and timber condition
• Windows and doors
• Plumbing and electrical fixtures
• Boundary walls and outbuildings

Property types around Bratton Clovelly vary quite a bit, which is why a professional survey matters. Over the past year, the average property price has been £210,000, with smaller semis at £200,000 and larger family homes reaching £560,000. That is against a 43% price adjustment from the previous year and a 62% drop from the 2022 peak of £550,000, so buyers need a clear picture of what they are taking on.

There is a clear owner-occupier feel to the local stock. With 62.3% of households owning their home outright, compared with averages across England and Wales, many properties may have been looked after over the years, though deferred maintenance can still be tucked away out of sight. Our surveyors know how to read these established West Devon homes.

In the EX20 4JG postcode area, where average values reach £445,946, a professional survey is a sensible safeguard for bigger investments. The 2.6% price growth in this postcode sector points to continued buyer interest, so thorough due diligence matters in a market that is starting to stabilise.

The rural setting also means a number of homes rely on private water supplies or septic tanks rather than mains connections. We note those systems and their condition, which matters even more when 12.6% of residents travel less than 10km to work and many work from home, making day-to-day property services a real priority.

When the RICS Level 2 survey is finished, we send a report that spells out the property’s condition in plain terms. Every section gets a Condition Rating, so it is straightforward to see what needs prompt attention and what is in good order. In Bratton Clovelly, that could mean comments on traditional roof coverings, older window joinery or any sign of structural movement in period walls.

The valuation in the report reflects our surveyor’s professional judgment alongside analysis of local market data. Added to the insurance reinstatement figure, it helps with mortgage arrangements and gives you the right level of cover from day one of ownership. With the local market still showing adjustments, an independent valuation can be reassuring.

If we spot something that needs a closer look, the report says so plainly and may point you towards a specialist inspection. For listed farmhouses and period properties around Bratton Clovelly, that might mean a structural engineer to review alterations or a specialist to inspect historic building fabric. It is a targeted way to spend money, rather than automatically ordering the most comprehensive survey.