RICS Level 2 Survey in Clovelly

For homes built in a fairly standard way and kept in reasonable condition, a RICS Level 2 survey is often the right fit. In Clovelly that may cover some later houses and updated cottages, where the main concerns are visible defects, routine upkeep or signs of age rather than major structural complexity. The report uses a clear traffic-light format, making it easy to spot what needs urgent attention, what should be monitored and what is acceptable for now.

Older buildings in the village tend to show certain recurring issues. Damp is one of them, and local efforts have included background heating and improved ventilation to help control it, which says plenty about how stubborn moisture can be in traditional cottages. Roofs also need careful checking here, especially where Delabole slate has been repaired, replaced or patched over time, as that can affect both weatherproofing and long-term costs.

Then there is the setting itself. Coastal air can wear exposed timber, metal fixings and external joinery faster than buyers expect, and steep access can push repair costs above what the same work might cost in a flatter village. We also pay close attention to chimneys, flues and old fireplace openings, because historic cottages often started with large chimneys that were later altered to save heat and reduce fire risk.

• Slate roof wear and slipped tiles
• Damp staining and ventilation issues
• Chimney alterations and flue safety
• External joinery affected by coastal weather

Stone, timber, lime-based finishes and later patch repairs often appear together in traditional Devon houses, and Clovelly is no exception. The village is known for its 17th-century buildings, so our inspectors do more than skim the obvious. We check for signs that earlier work used incompatible materials, because cement, hard pointing or poor roof repairs can trap moisture and speed up decay in older fabric.

Conservation status changes how maintenance needs to be thought about. Clovelly is a designated Conservation Area, and the Stables to Clovelly Court is Grade II listed, so owners may have extra responsibilities around alterations, windows, roofing or external finishes. A Level 2 survey can still be very useful, but we do not assume modern fixes will suit a historic building.

Access and exposure play their part as well. In a village with a steep cobbled high street and an Atlantic-facing Devon coast, properties can age quite differently from houses inland, especially where wind-driven rain hits elevations hard. We inspect the visible wear around ridges, valleys, parapets, render, rainwater goods and boundary walls, then set out which points are cosmetic and which need action soon.

The local market helps put a purchase into context. homedata.co.uk records show a Higher Clovelly average sold price of £296,667 over the last year, pointing to a market where character and setting carry weight. Nearby comparisons beyond the historic village, including Clovelly Road, Bideford at £171,333, are useful background, but they should not be mistaken for like-for-like pricing within the village itself.