RICS Level 2 Survey Crewe

Crewe's housing stock brings its own headaches, so a professional survey is well worth having. With approximately 77% of properties built before 1980, most homes here are likely to show age-related issues that need an expert eye. Our RICS Level 2 Survey gives a full look at the property's condition, from the roof right down to the foundations and every accessible area in between.

The town's geology calls for a close look from buyers. Crewe sits largely on Mercia Mudstone Group, a geology prone to shrink-swell behaviour that can lead to foundation movement, particularly where mature trees are present or drainage is poor. Our surveyors are trained to spot the signs of subsidence and, where needed, recommend further investigation. The glacial till and alluvial deposits found in some areas can make foundation conditions more complicated still, especially close to watercourses.

Crewe properties often use traditional brick construction with solid walls, which can be more vulnerable to damp penetration than modern cavity wall builds. With 36.6% of housing being terraced properties and 33.5% semi-detached, the shared walls and drainage systems in these house types need careful inspection to pick up problems that could affect more than one home. Many Victorian and Edwardian homes in places like the Crewe Railway Conservation Area still keep their original features, and those need specialist knowledge when they are assessed.

Crewe draws buyers for good reason. Bentley Motors is one of the major employers, and the M6 motorway plus rail services keep the town well connected. Our local knowledge helps us judge how Crewe's housing stock can affect condition, so you are less likely to face costly surprises after purchase.

• Detailed condition ratings for all key building elements
• Identification of urgent defects requiring immediate attention
• Assessment of flood risk based on local River Weaver proximity
• Valuation based on current Crewe market conditions
• Advice on repairs and estimated costs

Our inspectors carry out a detailed visual assessment of all accessible parts of the property. In Crewe's older homes, we pay close attention to damp, one of the most common defects in the local stock. Rising damp caused by failed damp-proof courses, penetrating damp from cracked render or defective rainwater goods, and condensation linked to poor ventilation are all regular findings during our surveys. The high number of solid-walled properties in the town centre and around Gresty Road makes damp checks especially important.

The roof gets a careful inspection too, because many of Crewe's older properties have timber roofs with slate or tile coverings that wear down over time. We look for worn or missing tiles, damaged lead flashing, defective gutters and downpipes, and any signs of timber rot in the roof structure. With 29.8% of properties in Crewe built pre-1919, our surveyors often come across roofs that need major repair or even renewal. Properties in the Crewe Railway Conservation Area may also have historically significant roof features that call for a more cautious approach.

Electrical and plumbing systems in properties built before the 1980s often fall short of current safety standards. Our survey includes a visual check of these services, with a recommendation for a qualified electrician or plumber to carry out further testing where it is needed. That matters especially in areas like the Crewe Railway Conservation Area, where many Victorian and Edwardian homes still have their original wiring. We also look for modern consumer units and proper earthing, both of which are often missing in older installations.

Where we can access them, we inspect the property's foundations and sub-floor conditions. Much of Crewe sits on Mercia Mudstone, so we look for signs of foundation movement, cracking patterns that could point to subsidence, and any evidence of trees affecting the building's stability. Properties with mature trees in the grounds, particularly those on clay soils, need a careful check for possible shrink-swell movement.

• Damp proof course and damp penetration assessment
• Roof structure, covering and drainage
• Wall construction and structural integrity
• Windows, doors and joinery condition
• Electrical and plumbing visual inspection
• Floors, stairs and balustrades

From our experience surveying properties across Crewe, certain defects crop up again and again. Damp is common, especially in older homes where original damp-proof courses may have failed or been bridged over time. Penetrating damp from defective render, missing roof tiles, or blocked gutters is also frequently seen, particularly after the wet winters typical of Cheshire. Homes with solid walls are especially prone to damp penetration, above all where external insulation has been poorly installed.

Roof issues are another regular finding, with many properties showing clear signs of age-related wear. Worn slate or tile coverings, deteriorated lead flashing, and corroded gutters all need attention. In some cases, we find evidence of roof repairs that were not carried out to a professional standard, and that can lead to ongoing leakage problems. Victorian and Edwardian homes, which make up nearly 30% of Crewe's housing stock, often still have original slate roofs that are now nearing the end of their serviceable life.

The local geology, especially the Mercia Mudstone substrate, can contribute to subsidence in some properties. That is particularly true where homes have shallow foundations and are affected by trees or shrubs that cause clay shrinkage during dry spells. Our surveyors are trained to identify the signs of subsidence, including cracking patterns and movement in walls, and will recommend specialist investigation if needed. Properties in areas with established tree cover, such as those near Queen Elizabeth Park, need especially careful foundation assessments.

Outdated electrical wiring is often found in properties built before the 1980s, with many lacking a consumer unit, having inadequate earthing, or still relying on old-style rubber or fabric-insulated cables that create fire risks. We visually assess the consumer unit, visible wiring in accessible areas, and socket positions, and recommend a qualified electrician for further testing where concerns arise. This matters even more where properties have not been updated in recent years.

• Rising and penetrating damp
• Roof covering deterioration
• Defective rainwater goods
• Subsidence and foundation movement
• Outdated electrical wiring
• Window and door joinery decay