RICS Level 2 Survey in Great Wilbraham

Our RICS Level 2 Survey gives a full look at the property’s condition and picks out any major defects, or areas that need attention. We carry out a visual inspection of all accessible parts, roofs, walls, floors, windows and doors, then review the structure as a whole and the quality of the build. Our inspectors check for cracking or movement in walls, assess the roof covering and flashing, look at damp-proof courses and ventilation, and examine woodwork and timber elements.

Great Wilbraham has a large number of homes that pre-date 1919, so we pay close attention to the issues that tend to crop up in older buildings. That means checking for rising damp in solid wall properties, looking closely at historic windows and doors, and spotting timber decay or woodworm that could affect structural elements. The report uses clear condition ratings of 1, 2 or 3, so you can see straight away which matters need prompt action and which are only cosmetic.

We also look at services, including electrics, plumbing and heating, and we flag anything that raises an obvious safety concern or appears not to meet current regulations. Grounds are part of the inspection too, so we review boundaries, drainage, outbuildings and extensions. Where a property sits in or near the designated Conservation Area, we note any historical or architectural features that may affect renovation plans.

The Energy Efficiency section sets out how the home is performing thermally, with comments on insulation levels and possible improvements. For older Great Wilbraham properties, that can be especially useful, since solid wall construction and original single-glazed windows often lead to lower EPC ratings than modern standards expect.

• Roof structure and covering
• Wall construction and condition
• Damp and timber assessment
• Electrical and plumbing overview
• Drainage and external areas
• Conservation and listed building considerations
• Energy efficiency assessment

In Great Wilbraham, most properties are built in traditional brick, with many older homes also using render or timber elements. The local geology brings its own challenges, and our surveyors know them well. The village sits on clay-rich soils, especially Gault Clay, which has shrink-swell properties that can affect foundations. For that reason, our inspectors look carefully for subsidence, heave or structural movement, particularly where foundations are shallow or trees are nearby.

Some parts of the village carry medium to high surface water flood risk, especially around roads and natural depressions in the landscape. River flood risk is low, but we still note any sign of past flooding or drainage problems that could affect the property. Retaining walls and other earth-retaining structures are also checked, as they are common on the village’s varied topography. Properties near the Bottisham Lane area, and those bordering the natural depressions in the landscape, need particular attention to drainage and surface water management.

Many Great Wilbraham homes have solid walls rather than cavity walls, which changes both insulation performance and the way damp can travel through the building. Our surveyors are used to assessing these traditional construction methods and can tell whether ventilation is adequate to reduce condensation problems. We also look for evidence of structural work or alterations that may not have had the proper planning permission or building regulations approval.

Because of the age profile of properties in Great Wilbraham, asbestos-containing materials may be present in buildings constructed before 2000. Our surveyors note the possible presence of asbestos in older insulation, floor tiles, roofing materials and pipe insulation. We do not carry out asbestos testing during a Level 2 survey, but we will highlight areas where it may be present and recommend a specialist asbestos survey if it is needed.

• Clay soil subsidence risk
• Surface water flooding
• Solid wall construction
• Traditional brick and render
• Historic building methods
• Drainage considerations
• Asbestos in pre-2000 properties