RICS Level 2 Homebuyer Survey in Everingham

Our RICS Level 2 Homebuyer Survey gives a visual check of all accessible parts of your Everingham property. We look at walls, roofs, floors, doors and windows, then assess each element for defects, wear or damage that could affect value or mean future maintenance. The survey is carried out to RICS standards and comes with clear condition ratings for every element, so repairs can be prioritised with confidence.

Properties in Everingham are often older, so our inspectors keep a close eye on damp. Many homes in the village date from the pre-1919 or interwar periods, and original construction usually predates modern damp-proof courses. We check for rising damp, penetrating damp and condensation, especially in the solid brick walls found across the area. In our experience, solid-walled properties in Everingham often show damp penetration where external ground levels have built up over time or gutters have not been kept in good order.

Roofing is part of the survey too, and that matters in Everingham where older homes often have traditional slate or tile roofs. Our inspectors look at tiles, flashing, leadwork and gutters for wear, damage or possible leaks. Chimneys are examined as well, since they are common on period properties and can suffer from failing pointing or damaged flues. Many Everingham homes have more than one chimney serving original fireplaces, and age, along with the weather, often leaves them needing attention.

We also review the visible electrical and plumbing installations. We cannot strip back walls to inspect hidden wiring or pipework, but we can flag obvious concerns such as old consumer units, wiring that does not appear to meet current regulations, or plumbing connections showing leakage or corrosion. In Everingham, older electrical systems frequently come to light and would usually benefit from upgrading.

The outside of the property is checked thoroughly, including walls, foundations, damp-proof courses and any attached outbuildings or garages. We look for cracks, movement or structural warning signs that could point to foundation problems. Because much of the East Riding sits on clay geology, our surveyors stay alert to subsidence or heave that can affect homes in this part of the county.

• Wall condition and structural integrity
• Roof, chimney and gutter inspection
• Damp and timber decay assessment
• Electrical and plumbing visible conditions
• Window and door operation
• Drainage and outbuilding condition

The geology under Everingham brings its own set of considerations for owners. The area lies on Chalk bedrock with superficial deposits of till, also known as boulder clay. This clay-rich soil carries a moderate to high shrink-swell risk, so properties can be affected by ground movement in periods of drought or after heavy rainfall. Our surveyors check for subsidence, heave and structural movement that may indicate foundation trouble. In practice, we have seen minor subsidence symptoms in East Riding properties where clay soils dried out in summer, particularly where large trees were drawing moisture from the ground nearby.

Flood risk is another point worth checking in Everingham. The village is not on a major river, but it does sit within the River Derwent catchment area. Surface water flooding affects roads and lower-lying spots, and some properties may be exposed to smaller watercourses and tributaries. Our inspectors look at drainage patterns and any sign of past flooding or water damage. We also note the property’s position in relation to natural drainage lines, then advise buyers to check the Environment Agency flood maps for fuller detail.

The local building methods reflect both the village’s age and its rural setting. Most properties are built in solid brick walls, often red brick, which was the standard approach in the region. Many homes, especially around the village centre, also feature traditional timber-framed construction with brick infill. Knowing these methods helps our surveyors spot typical defects and judge the condition of structural elements properly. Properties built before modern building regulations often have features that need experienced interpretation during the survey.

Because Everingham is a Conservation Area, many homes carry historical restrictions on alterations and improvements. Our surveyors understand those limits and can pick out issues that may need listed building consent or Conservation Area approval before they can be resolved. That can be especially useful when estimating renovation costs that are not obvious to buyers who are new to historic property ownership.

On Everingham inspections, we often see the same problems coming up again and again. Damp is probably the most common, especially rising damp in solid-walled properties without modern damp-proof courses. Penetrating damp is also common, particularly where roof coverings have worn out or where pointing to external walls has failed, allowing water in during heavy rain.

Roof defects make up another major group of issues we pick up. Traditional slate and tile roofs on older Everingham properties often show wear, including slipped or broken tiles, deteriorating leadwork around chimneys and valleys, and damaged or missing mortar on ridge tiles. Because so much of the housing stock is old, gutters and downpipes are often due for repair or replacement, and corrosion or leakage is a frequent sight.

Movement linked to the clay geology beneath the village does occasionally show up in properties around Everingham. It is not always serious, but cracks in walls or signs of earlier movement deserve careful checking. Our surveyors look at walls, ceilings and external elevations for movement and can advise whether further investigation is needed. In many cases, minor cosmetic cracking is normal for properties of this age and does not mean there is a deeper structural problem.

Older Everingham homes often still have out-of-date electrical and plumbing systems. Many properties retain original wiring from the mid-twentieth century or earlier, which would not meet current electrical safety standards. Plumbing can also include galvanised steel pipes that corrode internally and reduce water pressure. For buyers, those issues can mean significant renovation costs, so they need to be built into the decision.