RICS Level 2 HomeBuyer Survey Frithelstock

Our RICS Level 2 HomeBuyer Survey, formerly the HomeBuyer Report, gives a thorough view of a property’s condition without the depth of a full building survey. We visually inspect every accessible area, from the roof space where it is safe to enter to exterior walls, windows, doors, and key internal elements such as walls, floors, and ceilings. Starting outside and working in, we look closely at the structure, extensions, and outbuildings to build a clear picture of how the property is holding up.

In Frithelstock, where many homes are built using local stone and slate in the traditional way, our surveyors pay close attention to the quirks of period construction. We use a simple traffic light rating system to show defects that need urgent attention, items that should be dealt with in time, and parts of the property that are in acceptable condition. The service also includes a market valuation and an insurance rebuild cost estimate. That matters in a market where values have moved around sharply, with prices down 40% from the 2021 peak.

Foundations, load-bearing walls, floors and the roof structure all sit within the scope of the survey. Where plumbing, electrical installations and heating systems are visible, our inspectors check for obvious defects or anything that needs a specialist’s eye. We also look at extensions and alterations, including whether building regulation approval is in place. In Frithelstock, where many properties have been adapted over generations, that kind of checking is especially useful.

An energy efficiency overview is part of our Level 2 survey, so we assess things like wall construction, loft insulation and heating systems. With many of the Frithelstock properties being quite old, that can uncover practical ways to improve comfort and reduce running costs. We set out recommendations alongside the findings, so you can see what needs attention now and what can wait for later maintenance.

• Visual inspection of all accessible areas
• Condition rating system (Traffic lights)
• Market valuation
• Insurance rebuild cost
• Advice on defects and repairs
• Energy efficiency overview

One thing we see regularly in Frithelstock is damp. With the village so close to the River Torridge and its tributary watercourses, moisture-related issues appear often in our reports. Rising damp is a particular problem in older homes with solid ground floors, especially where the original lime-based mortar has broken down over time. We check walls at ground level carefully, look at the damp proof course, and note any signs of moisture penetration that suggest the damp proofing may not be doing its job.

At Knaworthy Farmhouse and other Grade II listed buildings, coursed slatestone rubble construction brings its own set of issues. The local stone is hard-wearing, but it can also be porous, and colourwashed render over stonework needs regular care if water ingress is to be kept at bay. Our surveyors know how to spot the early signs of trouble in these traditional finishes, from cracking and weathering to render that has started to separate from the substrate.

Roofing deserves close attention here too. Older homes in the area often have slate or thatched roofs, and both need a specialist eye to assess them properly. We check roof slopes for missing or slipped tiles, inspect ridge tiles and verges, and, where we can get access, look into the roof void for leaks, timber decay or poor insulation. In many cases, the age of the roofing materials points to significant maintenance, or even renewal, within the medium term, and our reports say so plainly.

Although structural movement is not a feature of every property in the area, it does crop up where the ground is affected by seasonal movement. Our surveyors are trained to spot settlement or subsidence, from cracking in walls to doors and windows that stick or refuse to close properly, as well as uneven floors. If we find anything that looks serious, we recommend bringing in a structural engineer for a closer look before you go ahead with the purchase.

Agricultural roots run through Frithelstock, and you can see them in the way many homes have been built with local materials and traditional methods. Coursed slatestone rubble is common, and some properties also feature imported oolite dressings. Older houses often have colourwashed render over the stonework, a finish that needs regular maintenance if damp is to be kept out. The village’s historic buildings, including the Priory, a Scheduled Monument, show the skill of local builders working with what was available nearby.

Being next to the River Torridge has a real effect on some properties, especially where buildings sit close to watercourses. We look carefully for damp, wood rot and structural movement in homes near rivers or other natural water features. Walls at ground level get particular attention, since moisture can travel upwards through capillary action, and we check that damp proof courses are present and effective. Frithelstock parish boundaries follow natural watercourses such as the River Duntz, so water management is a genuine issue across the area.

Plans for new homes near Hele Lane mean buyers should also think about how newly built properties differ from traditional period homes. Our surveyors know the common issues that can appear in modern construction, including problems with window installations, roof void insulation and newly fitted mechanical systems that have not fully settled. Even a new property can benefit from an independent inspection, because snagging items and gaps in building regulation compliance are not unusual.

There have also been proposed small-scale housing developments in the Torridge district, including plans for up to seven homes on agricultural land near Hele Lane. That may add to the local stock, but our work is still focused on the condition of the property in front of you. From a centuries-old cottage to a fairly modern house, the report gives you the information needed to make a sensible decision.