RICS Level 2 Survey in Goosnargh

Goosnargh’s housing stock has a character of its own, which is exactly why professional surveys matter here. The parish contains 49 listed buildings, among them four Grade II* properties, so plenty of homes carry historic detail and traditional construction that call for a proper eye. Our inspectors work on local sandstone properties every week, often under slate roofs, and know how those materials behave in the Lancashire climate. With stock of this age, damp penetration, roof condition and structural movement crop up often enough for our Level 2 surveys to pick them out.

Recent market data suggests Goosnargh prices have been under real pressure, with values down 17.9% over the past 12 months and 33% below the 2023 peak of £345,775. That sort of movement makes it all the more important to know exactly what is being bought. A RICS Level 2 survey gives a clear view of condition, which helps us negotiate with confidence if problems turn up. For a semi-detached property at around £210,000 or a detached family home at £340,000 or more, a detailed inspection protects the purchase.

Preston is close by, and regular bus services to Longridge and Blackburn, together with the M55 and M6 motorways, give the village decent connections. That mix suits commuters and families. The rural setting brings its own checks, though, because some homes depend on private drainage, many have larger gardens to look after, and the exposure is different from that of an urban street. Our surveyors take those local points into account and keep the advice tied to the area, not a generic template.

Local geology matters in and around Goosnargh, because Lancashire soils can be clay-rich and that means shrink-swell movement can affect foundations over time. Older houses are especially relevant here, since their foundations may fall short of modern standards. Our surveyors look for subsidence, cracking and movement that could point to foundation trouble, particularly where buildings sit on or close to clay deposits.

• Sandstone construction issues
• Slate roof condition
• Drainage and soakaway concerns
• Historic building maintenance requirements
• Energy efficiency in older properties
• Foundation and subsidence assessment

New development is also happening in Goosnargh, with Greenacres Farm by McDermott Homes offering new-build homes from 2-bedroom terraced houses, through shared ownership at around £106,000, to 5-bedroom detached executive homes at £455,000-£456,000. Even with a manufacturer’s warranty in place, we still recommend a Level 2 survey. It helps us spot snagging issues, check that build quality is where it should be, and confirm that fixtures and fittings have been installed correctly.

There are also several large schemes moving through the planning system. Outline approval was recently recommended for up to 95 homes on land east of former Swainson House Farm off Goosnargh Lane, and Gladman Developments has proposed up to 145 new dwellings off Whittingham Lane. Those plans could alter the feel of the area and may have an effect on existing property values and infrastructure. Our surveyors keep an eye on local planning issues that might matter to a property purchase.

Even newer homes can hide defects that only a professional surveyor will notice. We check that windows and doors open and close as they should, confirm that damp proof courses are continuous, assess brickwork and pointing, and look for any gaps in insulation that could cause trouble later. Plenty of buyers are surprised by what our Level 2 surveys uncover in newer properties.

Your RICS Level 2 survey report will set out the condition of the property using a straightforward rating system. Properties are shown as having no significant issues, minor defects or major defects that require attention. Each section of the home, from the roof and walls to the windows and plumbing, is assessed separately. Colour-coded indicators make it easy to spot areas of concern quickly.

Where we find issues, we give practical recommendations on how to deal with them. That may be a small maintenance job you can handle yourself, or a more serious matter that needs specialist contractors. For older Goosnargh properties, we often suggest follow-up inspections by specialists such as structural engineers or damp proofing experts if the defects are significant. Our aim is to give you the information needed to make the right call on the purchase.

The report also includes a market valuation element, which gives an independent view of the property’s value based on current local conditions. With Goosnargh prices down 17.9% over the past year, that valuation can be particularly helpful in negotiations. We base our valuations on homedata.co.uk data specific to the Goosnargh area.