RICS Level 2 HomeBuyer Survey in Croft

Our RICS Level 2 HomeBuyer Survey gives a close inspection of every accessible part of a Croft property. We look at the walls, roof, floors, windows, doors and damp proof courses, along with the state of bathrooms, kitchens, plumbing and electrical installations. Each part is graded with the traffic light system, red for urgent defects needing immediate attention, amber for items that need repair or monitoring, and green for elements in satisfactory condition. We work through the accessible areas methodically, so defects are far less likely to be missed.

In Croft, this survey is especially useful because the village has both older homes and newer developments. There are several listed buildings here, and Croft also falls within a Coastal Conservation Area, so having a clear picture of a property's condition matters. Our report sets out any remedial work in plain terms and can help when you need to renegotiate after significant issues come to light. You get professional advice without the jargon, which makes the purchase decision much clearer.

The Level 2 survey suits conventional properties in reasonable condition, from modern homes to older houses and apartments. We also include a market value assessment and an insurance rebuild cost, both of which can be helpful for mortgage purposes. Even on a newer purchase, including Bellway homes at Croft Lodge Farm, the survey is still worthwhile because it checks that the construction meets expected standards and flags defects in newer builds. Our surveyors know the construction methods commonly used in this part of Lincolnshire and know where problems tend to show up.

Many older properties in Croft are built with the traditional red brick walls and pantile roofs seen across the area, and we know these details well. Our team regularly inspects homes dating from the 18th and 19th centuries and understands how this kind of construction performs in the local climate. That experience helps us spot issues that may not be obvious on a quick inspection. We then set out practical recommendations that fit the property type and the way it was built.

• Wall and roof structure inspection
• Damp and timber assessment
• Electrical and plumbing review
• Windows, doors, and joinery check
• Traffic light condition ratings
• Market value and rebuild cost

Change is coming to Croft, with several schemes moving through planning. Bellway Strategic Land has put forward an outline planning application for up to 95 new homes at Croft Lodge Farm, off Broughton Road, and 25% affordable housing forms part of that proposal. Croftmarsh Limited has also secured planning permission for six detached houses at Gibraltar Road. If you are buying one of these new-build homes, a Level 2 survey gives an extra check that the property has been built to a proper standard.

New homes are not automatically free of defects, so a snagging element within our Level 2 report can be very useful before you complete. The national average cost of a Level 2 survey is £455, and with Croft properties starting at around £420 for a two-bedroom home, the survey is usually a modest outlay compared with the value of the purchase. Costs will rise for larger homes or properties of non-standard construction, but the survey fee is still usually only a small fraction of the overall price.

Our surveyors know the local market in this part of Lincolnshire and the issues that come with it. We look at matters such as distance from the coast, signs of coastal erosion, and the state of drainage and flood defences. The Shoreline Management Plans for East Lindsey support a "Hold the Line" policy for coastal defences, and that has a bearing on how homes here are built and looked after. The report we send is clearly written and includes practical recommendations based on what we find.

The wider Skegness Gateway scheme, with part of the land owned by Croftmarsh, is intended to bring forward up to 1,000 new homes along with substantial business, industrial and community space. That scale of development could support jobs and wider economic gains, and it may also influence the Croft housing market. If you are buying an older property or one of these new homes, our survey helps you judge the purchase with more confidence. We have seen how similar coastal developments can shift local values, and that local perspective feeds into our reports.

We regularly find a similar group of issues in Croft properties, largely because of the coastal setting. Salt air can corrode metalwork faster than inland, affecting roofing nails, gutters and external joinery. Walls exposed to the sea often show weathering, and damp can build up through driving rain and sea spray. We know what those signs look like in practice, so external timber, render and brickwork all get careful attention during the inspection.

Older homes in Croft, especially those built in the 18th and 19th centuries, often need a closer look because of their traditional construction. Red brick walls and pantile roofs are common. These buildings have lasted for centuries, but they can still conceal problems such as rising damp, failing mortar joints and damage to roof tiles. Pantile roofs are attractive, though slippage is not unusual and regular checks matter. We inspect these traditional features carefully and report on their present condition.

Because flood risk affects parts of Croft, we pay close attention to damp, water staining and any flood protection already fitted at the property. Homes in low-lying positions should have suitable damp proof courses and ventilation, and we check whether these are present and working as they should. If the property has flooded before, we aim to identify that and review any remedial work that appears to have been carried out. We also record the condition of flood barriers or pumps already in place and advise on whether they seem adequate for that location.

Electrical systems in many of the older local properties can also be dated, and that needs careful scrutiny. Wiring installed decades ago may fall short of current regulations and may create a safety concern. As part of the survey, we carry out a visual inspection of the electrical installation and note obvious defects or warning signs. We then recommend that a qualified electrician undertakes a fuller inspection before completion. The same applies to plumbing, as older systems may still contain materials now regarded as outdated, including lead pipes or galvanised steel, both of which can affect water quality and pressure.