RICS Level 2 Survey in Burton upon Stather

Our RICS Level 2 Survey gives a full visual inspection of every accessible part of the property. We look over the walls, roof, floors, windows, doors and joinery, and flag defects that could affect value or safety. The report sets out the property's condition in plain terms, pointing to issues needing urgent attention, matters for further investigation, and items that would benefit from future maintenance planning.

In Burton upon Stather, we pay close attention to the way homes have been built locally. A good number of properties here have traditional ironstone or brick walls with pantiled clay tile roofs, and they need the right kind of assessment. St. Andrew's Church, a Grade I listed building dating in part to the 12th century, is a clear local example of ironstone and gritstone construction, and the village also includes 17th-century houses, a Regency former vicarage, and the historic Sheffield Arms public house. In older homes, we check the condition of damp-proof courses, the soundness of roof coverings, and any signs of structural movement that may be linked to the clay-rich geology beneath the village.

The report uses a straightforward condition rating system. Condition Rating 1 means no repair is needed, Condition Rating 2 means repairs are needed but no urgent action is required, and Condition Rating 3 marks serious defects needing immediate attention. As standard with our Level 2 survey, we also include market value and rebuild cost assessments, so you have a fuller view of the potential investment. We write our reports to be practical and easy to follow, helping you make a well-informed decision on the purchase.

• Visual inspection of all accessible areas
• Condition rating system (1-3)
• Market value and rebuild cost
• Specific advice for your property type
• Clear, jargon-free report format

Burton upon Stather stands on the Lincolnshire Edge, and the ground beneath it includes Frodingham ironstone and Middle Jurassic limestone, with clay-rich soils over the top. That clay creates a notable shrink-swell subsidence risk, especially in long dry spells or where large trees are close to foundations. So we look carefully for structural movement, including cracking in walls, often diagonal, wider at the top, over 3mm, and close to door and window openings, along with uneven floors and sticking doors or windows. Homes near former clay pits, once used for brick and tile works and now water-filled, can bring extra ground stability concerns.

Some of the strongest flood concerns are for properties near the River Trent, especially along Stather Road, which sit within Flood Zone 3. The tidal surge of December 2013 caused significant flooding here, so we take flood risk into account as part of the environmental picture. We note visible evidence of past water damage, inspect any flood resilience measures where they are present, and give buyers practical guidance on sensible precautions.

The Conservation Area designation shapes a lot of property in the village. Across the wider parish there are 31 listed buildings, with 10 of them in Burton itself. We understand what comes with owning period property, from the upkeep needs of traditional construction to any restrictions affecting alterations or renovations. Our survey looks at the condition of historic features and gives practical advice on caring for them. If a property is of non-traditional construction, or has been heavily altered, we may suggest that a Level 3 Building Survey would be the better fit.

• Subsidence and foundation issues
• Damp proof course failure
• Roof condition and tile damage
• Flood risk assessment
• Conservation and listed building considerations
• Outdated electrical and plumbing systems

From our work across North Lincolnshire, a few issues recur in Burton upon Stather homes. Damp is high on the list, particularly in older period properties where original damp-proof courses have failed or have been bridged by raised external ground levels over time. Rising damp often shows itself as tide marks to ground-floor walls, while penetrating damp is more likely to appear as staining or decay around windows, roof penetrations and chimneys. We also often see condensation in period houses where modern double-glazing has been fitted without proper ventilation upgrades, reducing natural air permeability without any compensating measures.

Roofing needs a careful eye here, not least because traditional pantiled roofs are so common on older homes in Burton upon Stather. Clay tiles are durable and typical of the area, but repairs need the right know-how, and we often look for slipped or broken tiles, failing mortar to ridge lines, and insulation that no longer meets current standards. Where roof spaces are accessible, we inspect them for signs of leakage, timber decay and insulation levels. On period properties, parapet walls and chimneys also deserve close attention because they are frequent points of water penetration.

The age of many properties means dated services are often part of the picture. Plenty of 17th, 18th, and 19th-century houses have been modernised to some degree, but consumer units, wiring standards and plumbing materials can still fall short of current requirements. We point out where electrical and plumbing installations appear old and advise further checks by qualified specialists. We also inspect ventilation to roof spaces and sub-floor areas, because poor ventilation can lead to timber decay and damp problems that are not always obvious at first glance.

There are market reasons, as well as building reasons, to get a Level 2 Survey in Burton upon Stather. Prices have risen by 13.4% over the past year and now sit 10% above the 2021 peak, so buyers are putting serious capital into homes that may hide defects. The village remains popular with commuters working in Scunthorpe, which has helped push demand, but the older housing stock still calls for careful scrutiny.

Our local experience helps when reading the risks behind the fabric of a property. Across much of Burton upon Stather, clay-rich soils can trigger foundation movement, especially where large trees are nearby or the ground has been disturbed by former clay extraction. Homes closest to the River Trent also need proper assessment of flood considerations. And because many properties fall within the Conservation Area, buyers should be clear on any maintenance responsibilities or restrictions before going ahead.

With a RICS Level 2 Survey from our team, you can move forward knowing far more about the property's actual condition. If we identify issues, the condition rating system makes it easier to judge how urgent the repairs are and plan from there. The findings can support negotiations with the seller, or help you build repair costs into your budget. Where more significant defects are present, we can also advise on whether a Level 3 Building Survey would be worthwhile.