RICS Level 2 Homebuyer Survey Chivelstone

Our RICS Level 2 Homebuyer Survey covers all accessible parts of a property, from the roof structure, walls, windows and doors to plumbing, electrical systems and signs of damp. In Chivelstone, where many older homes have the traditional stone construction and rendered finishes seen across South Devon, our surveyors look closely at damp, weathering and the state of original features that may call for regular upkeep.

Each survey comes with a straightforward traffic light rating, red for urgent defects needing immediate attention, amber for items likely to need repair later, and green where the condition is satisfactory. We check the main structural elements, including foundations, walls, floors and the roof, and we also note possible risks such as timber decay, asbestos-containing materials, or places where building regulations compliance could be a concern.

In a rural spot like Chivelstone, the wider setting matters as well. Our inspectors note things such as drainage conditions, proximity to agricultural land and any environmental factors that could influence the property's long-term value or day-to-day habitability. The report we produce is clear, free of unnecessary jargon and designed to help you judge the purchase properly.

Our surveyors know the kinds of defects that turn up time and again in Devon homes. That includes coastal weather wearing down render and timber, ageing drainage systems in rural locations, and the usual faults associated with properties from different building periods. That local understanding gives the report real weight.

• Roof and chimney condition
• Wall structure and render
• Windows and doors
• Damp and timber assessment
• Electrical and plumbing overview
• Energy performance rating

In Chivelstone, the housing stock is weighted towards larger homes, with 34.2% of properties offering four or more bedrooms and 40.2% having three bedrooms. Those family houses span a range of building periods, and our surveyors know the problems that tend to come with each age of property. Older homes, for example, may have dated electrical systems, original timber windows needing restoration, or solid walls without modern insulation, all issues our Level 2 survey is built to pick up.

The village sits in South Devon, so homes here can still feel the effects of coastal weather even though Chivelstone itself is not right on the shoreline. Over time that can speed up wear to external render, roofing materials and timber fascias. Our surveyors inspect properties across this region regularly and understand how those local conditions shape a building's condition.

Single-person households account for 31.4% of the village, while two-person households make up 37.2%. That points to many homes in Chivelstone being individually occupied properties, often held by the same owners for a long time. Sometimes that means careful upkeep, sometimes it means jobs have been put off, and our survey helps bring that into the open.

According to the South Hams Parish Profile, 60.2% of households own their homes outright. In practice, that often means established family properties in Chivelstone have stayed in the same hands for decades. Our Level 2 survey sets out the real condition of these often cherished but ageing homes, so we can spot issues that may need attention over the coming years.

We regularly come across a familiar set of issues in Chivelstone and the wider South Hams area. Traditional stone-walled cottages, attractive as they are, can be vulnerable to penetrating damp, especially where render has failed or the pointing between stones has broken down over time. The rural setting also means many homes depend on private water supplies or septic tanks, and our survey includes observations on those essential services.

Quite a few village properties pre-date modern building regulations, so original features do not always line up with current standards. That may mean older electrical wiring, limited insulation in cavity walls, or solid walls without cavities, along with ageing heating systems. Our surveyors check these points carefully and flag any concerns in the report.

Parts of South Devon are underlain by clay soils, and those can be prone to shrink-swell movement in spells of wet and dry weather. Chivelstone does not have the documented mining history found elsewhere in Devon, but our surveyors still watch for movement or settlement that could point to problems with foundations.

Roofs matter a great deal here. Exposure to Atlantic weather systems can hasten the decline of tiles, lead flashing and timber roof structures, so we inspect all accessible roof spaces, look at the condition of chimneys, many homes in Chivelstone still retain their original brick chimneys, and assess the roofing system as a whole.