RICS Level 2 Survey Croft-on-Tees

Built for properties of conventional construction, usually those erected after 1850, the RICS Level 2 Survey gives a clear picture of condition without moving into full structural investigation. Our surveyor carries out a detailed visual inspection of every accessible part of the property, including the roof space where safe access is available, the foundation elements and the external fabric. We check the main parts of the building, walls, floors, ceilings, doors, windows and the state of the joinery, and we also review services such as plumbing, electrical installations and heating systems for obvious defects or maintenance issues. Every element is then given a traffic light rating, green where no repair is needed, amber where defects need attention, and red where urgent repair is required.

In Croft-on-Tees, we pay close attention to the make-up of the local housing stock. The village has a good number of period homes built in traditional ways, many dating from the 17th and 18th centuries. Those older properties often have solid walls formed from local materials, including brick and sandstone, and they need an experienced eye because problems such as damp penetration, deteriorating mortar or structural movement are not always obvious to buyers. Our surveyors know the quirks of traditional North Yorkshire construction and are used to inspecting homes built with local red sandstone and cream limestone.

Damp and timber are a major part of the survey, especially in Croft-on-Tees because of the village's riverside setting. Our inspectors use visual checks and moisture meters to spot signs of penetrating damp, rising damp and condensation. That matters all the more in older houses with solid walls and no modern damp proof courses. We also inspect timber components, including floor joists, roof timbers and window frames, for rot or wood-boring insects. If there is concern about the condition of the property's fabric, we set it out plainly in the report and recommend further investigation where needed.

During the inspection, we look over the electrical installations, plumbing system and heating equipment as well. We do not test hidden wiring or pipework, but we can pick up obvious defects, old consumer units, missing bonding and unsafe installations that need attention from qualified contractors. In homes with older heating systems, we record the type, age and condition of boilers and radiators, and flag anything that raises efficiency or safety concerns. That gives you a firmer basis for budgeting for repairs or upgrades after you move in.

• Roof structure and covering
• Walls, floors, and ceilings
• Windows and doors
• Damp and timber inspection
• Electrical and plumbing systems
• Heating and ventilation

Croft-on-Tees is a historic village, and many buyers are drawn to the character of its older homes. Those properties can be lovely, but they also come with their own set of issues, which our surveyors know well. Homes in the village centre around Croft Bridge, a Grade I listed structure dating from 1356, often rely on traditional materials and construction methods that need specialist assessment. The wider setting matters too, with notable buildings such as St Peter's Church, a 14th-century Grade I listed structure, reflecting the age and character of the housing stock nearby. We are used to assessing period property condition and spotting defects commonly found in older North Yorkshire houses.

Local geology and local materials both have a real bearing on property condition in Croft-on-Tees. Red sandstone appears throughout the village's historic buildings, including Croft Bridge and St Peter's Church. The Croft Viaduct, built between 1837 and 1840, is another local marker, using dressed ashlar cream sandstone. Many older homes were built with local brick from the former brickyard near the Comet Hotel, and traditional solid wall construction remains common across the village. Our inspectors understand how these materials age, from weathering on sandstone faces to mortar deterioration in lime mortar pointing, and they also look out for defects linked to the shrink-swell behaviour of underlying clay soils.

Homes close to the River Tees can be very appealing for the views and the riverside walks. Still, flood insurance and damp protection are practical points buyers should not brush aside. Croft-on-Tees sits on the south bank of the River Tees, with the river along the north and east edges of the village, so flood risk is a genuine factor here. In our report, we flag any visible damp, staining or other signs that could point to past flooding or ongoing moisture problems, so you can judge the property properly. We also recommend checking the Environment Agency flood maps and raising flood risk with the vendor before you complete the purchase.

It is not only older housing on offer in Croft-on-Tees. Barratt Homes has new developments in the area with 2, 3, 4, and 5-bedroom homes priced from £133,000 to £429,995. There is also ongoing change within the village, shown by the recent approval to convert Dobbs Hall Farm, with plans for two homes, a one-bedroom flat and a four-bedroom house. Even with modern building regulations, newer homes can still benefit from a Level 2 Survey, particularly where snagging issues or build defects may have arisen during construction.

Our RICS chartered surveyors inspect homes across North Yorkshire and County Durham day in, day out. That experience matters in Croft-on-Tees, where the housing ranges from period properties with traditional details to recent new builds by developers such as Barratt Homes. Every surveyor is regulated by RICS and carries professional indemnity insurance, so you have a clear level of accountability behind the report. We also work widely across the Tees Valley region, which means we understand the kinds of issues that turn up in the local housing stock.

We aim to produce reports that are clear and genuinely useful, not vague paperwork. Our inspectors explain findings in plain English and keep unnecessary technical jargon to a minimum, while still making the important defects obvious. Buying a property is one of the biggest decisions most people make, and we want you to have the facts you need to move ahead with confidence. If you are a first-time buyer or an experienced investor, we give every property the same careful attention.

Book a survey with Homemove and we will keep the focus where it should be, on your purchase and the information you need before committing to it. We know the survey is a key stage in buying a home, so we put real effort into producing reports that are useful rather than formulaic. Once you have received the report, our team can talk through any part of it with you, including what the findings may mean for your decision and for any negotiations with the seller.