RICS Level 2 Survey in Falkirk

Our chartered surveyors carry out a careful visual inspection of every accessible part of a Falkirk property you are thinking of buying. We look closely at the main walls, roof structure, windows and doors, damp-proof courses, and the condition of any extensions or alterations. Because Falkirk has a mining heritage, we give extra scrutiny to subsidence, cracking and movement that could point to historic mining activity or unstable ground. Our team is used to spotting the quieter signs of mining-related movement seen across Falkirk, especially close to former collieries.

Foundations, floors, walls, ceilings, stairs and balconies are all covered where applicable. We also inspect rainwater goods, gutters and drainage systems, a key point with older homes in places such as Falkirk town centre, where Victorian and Edwardian housing can still have ageing pipework. For properties near the River Carron, we review the drainage arrangement and record any visible evidence of past water ingress that may raise flood risk concerns at that particular location.

We review the visible condition of the main services, including the electrical installation, gas supply, where applicable, and plumbing. We do not test or certify those systems, but we do flag visible defects, old wiring and possible safety issues that should be checked by qualified specialists. In Falkirk, we regularly come across older electrical installations that fall short of current regulations, especially in homes that have not been modernised since the 1970s or earlier.

Garages, sheds and boundary walls are part of the picture too, so we can give a fuller view of the property's condition. In newer schemes, including The Laurels at Lathallan Grange in Polmont, we also pick up snagging issues often found in recently built homes that may still sit within builder warranties.

• Wall structure and pointing
• Roof covering and chimneys
• Damp and timber defects
• Windows and doors
• Electrical condition (visual)
• Plumbing and drainage

From modern new builds near Polmont to Victorian and Edwardian homes in long-established residential areas, Falkirk has a broad spread of housing. The older stock, especially property built before 1970, often brings up recurring defects in our inspections. We regularly report rising damp from missing or damaged damp-proof courses, worn roof coverings with slipped slates or torn felt, and outdated electrical installations that may not meet current safety standards. In Falkirk town centre and Camelon, where older housing is more common, these issues appear frequently in our reports.

Not every Falkirk survey looks the same. The age and construction of the building shape how we inspect it, so a semi-detached house in Larbert will not be approached in quite the same way as a terraced property in Camelon or a flat in Grangemouth. Our inspectors adapt to suit the property type and report thoroughly on the issues that matter most. Shared drainage in flats, for instance, needs a different line of enquiry from the individual systems found in detached homes.

For homes near the River Carron, or in parts of Falkirk that are more exposed to surface water flooding, we record the position of the property in relation to flood risk areas and note any visible signs of previous flooding or water damage. Our survey is visual, so it does not replace a specialist flood risk assessment, but our observations can help you judge the environmental concerns linked to the property. Lower-lying parts of Falkirk can carry a different risk profile and may justify extra investigation.

We also encounter a range of structural defects in Falkirk homes. These include wall cracking that may suggest movement, timber decay within roof structures, and condensation linked to poor ventilation. Our reports set out what is cosmetic, what needs urgent action, and what may call for a specialist structural engineering assessment before you go ahead with the purchase.

• Signs of subsidence or structural movement
• Roof defects and weathering
• Damp and condensation issues
• Outdated electrical wiring
• Window and door deterioration
• Timber decay and rot