RICS Level 2 Survey in DG2

A Level 2 inspection looks at every accessible part of the property, from the roof covering and chimneys through to the drainage inspection chamber. In DG2, our surveyors pay close attention to local construction details that matter here. Red sandstone, the traditional Dumfries building material, weathers differently from brick, so we assess pointing condition, stone face spalling, and moisture absorption rates with care. As part of every inspection in this postcode, our inspectors note the walling material and its condition.

Another DG2-specific concern is flood risk, especially from the River Nith and surface water drainage. During our inspection, we look for signs of historic flooding, such as high water marks, salt staining, damaged or replaced floor finishes at low level, and lingering damp in basement or ground-floor rooms. If the property lies within a known flood risk zone, we highlight that clearly in the report and recommend that your conveyancer raise a specific flood risk enquiry with the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) mapping service.

• Roof covering, ridge, verges, flashings, and guttering
• Chimneys and chimney stacks, including pointing condition
• External walls - sandstone, brick, or render assessment with notes on condition
• Windows, external doors, and visible joinery
• Evidence of rising or penetrating damp - especially relevant in solid stone-walled properties
• Internal ceilings, walls, and floors with damp meter readings where required
• Roof space inspection including insulation, purlin condition, and any water staining
• Drainage chamber inspection where accessible
• Visible services: heating system type and visible condition, electrical consumer unit, and plumbing
• Outbuildings, garages, boundary walls, and garden structures

We only send out surveyors in DG2 who hold full RICS accreditation. That means the person carrying out your RICS Level 2 Survey has had rigorous professional training, ongoing continuing professional development, and must follow a published code of conduct that keeps standards of competence and impartiality high. Book through Homemove and you get a qualified RICS professional, not an unaccredited inspector with no formal accountability.

Our surveyors know the DG2 property market well, and they understand the local headaches that come with Dumfries's housing stock, from the upkeep demanded by traditional red sandstone to the drainage problems that can affect older homes in the lower-lying parts of town. That local familiarity shows in the reports we write. They are based on what we actually find at the property, not on a generic template.

After the report lands, you can speak directly with your RICS surveyor and go through the findings in plain English. Survey reports can feel heavy going at first glance. Our team takes time to explain each condition rating in practical terms, including the likely repair cost, whether it is sensible to renegotiate the purchase price, and whether any specialist follow-up investigations are needed before you exchange contracts.

For DG2 properties, we produce reports in the standard RICS HomeBuyer Report format, a structured document that covers each inspected element in a clear and consistent way. Every section carries a condition rating, 1, 2, or 3, together with a written account of what our surveyor found. Think of the rating system as a traffic light, green for no action required, amber for items to budget for and deal with in time, and red for defects needing immediate attention or specialist investigation.

The report also has dedicated sections covering risks to the building, risks to the grounds, and legal matters, such as shared drainage arrangements, boundary features, rights of way, or access issues that your conveyancer should put to the vendor's solicitors. In DG2, the legal section can also pick up flood risk mitigation obligations or maintenance duties for shared water drainage infrastructure, and our surveyors add those prompts wherever they apply.

We normally send reports for DG2 properties by email within two to three working days of the inspection. Once it has arrived, your surveyor is on hand for a follow-up telephone call to talk through the findings in plain language. If the report points to specialist follow-up, a timber and damp specialist, a structural engineer, or an electrical contractor, we spell out exactly what is needed so you can get the right quotes before deciding how to proceed with the purchase.