RICS Level 2 Survey in Greetham

Our RICS Level 2 Survey gives you a careful inspection of all accessible parts of your Greetham property. We check the walls, roof, floors, windows, doors and permanent fixtures, looking for damp, rot, structural movement and other defects that could affect value. Each element is rated clearly as OK, Requires Attention, or Requires Urent Attention. You receive a detailed report with photographs and practical recommendations for any remedial work that may be needed. We write it in plain English, so you can understand exactly what you are buying without wading through technical jargon.

In Greetham, we focus closely on the issues that turn up regularly in Rutland homes. A good number of village properties are built in local stone, and that can suffer from weathering and mortar degradation over time. Our surveyors check the state of the stonework, where repointing may be needed, and whether cracking or displaced masonry points to structural movement. Roofs are part of that picture too, especially the slate and tile coverings seen on both older and newer homes locally. We have inspected plenty of traditional buildings where worn stone pointing has let water in, so we know the warning signs.

Alongside the visual inspection, the Level 2 Survey also includes a market valuation and an insurance rebuild cost. We base the valuation on current Greetham market data, taking account of recent sales of comparable properties in the village and the wider Rutland area. The rebuild figure matters for buildings insurance, so you can put suitable cover in place for your new home. Our reports also set out legal points for your conveyancing solicitor to check further. We work with solicitors in Oakham and Stamford regularly, and we know the sorts of legal queries that often come up in Rutland transactions.

Buyers in Greetham are often dealing with a real mix of property ages and construction types. You might be looking at a historic cottage near the village centre, or one of the newer homes on Greetham Gardens or Greetham Mews, and each can present different concerns. Our surveyors are used to assessing traditional lime mortar pointing, which breathes very differently from modern cement, as well as more recent construction methods. We highlight any areas where work or upgrades may be needed, from outdated wiring and poor insulation to repointing stone walls, which are such a recognisable feature of homes in this part of Rutland.

• Visual inspection of all accessible areas
• Structural condition assessment
• Damp and rot detection
• Market valuation based on Greetham data
• Insurance rebuild cost estimate
• Clear condition ratings and recommendations

Recent years have brought a fair amount of new development to Greetham. Greetham Mews, built by Hereward Homes, comprises five new homes, with three and four-bedroom properties. The scheme uses traditional materials, including honey-coloured stone and slate or plain tile roofs, so the houses sit comfortably with the village character. Homes on the development include Rosedale Cottage, a three-bedroom property, and Elmswood House, a four-bedroom home, both built using the traditional materials seen across the area. We have surveyed properties there and are familiar with the construction details Hereward Homes has used.

Greetham Gardens is larger in scale. Developed by Lovell Homes, it includes 34 detached homes with three, four, and five-bedroom layouts, built in local stone and Stamford slate. Sitting off Oakham Road, the development marks a major addition to the village and has attracted many new families. House types such as The Richmond, a five-bedroom detached home, have proved popular with buyers moving to Greetham for the school and community amenities. Our surveyors have inspected numerous homes on this site, so we know the construction methods used there and the kinds of issues that can appear in newer properties.

There is more growth to come in Greetham. Outline planning permission has been granted for 35 houses on the old garden centre site, while full planning permission covers 19 properties at North Brook Close. The Greetham Quarry site has approval for 30 dwellings too, along with further proposals for 50 units and a new office. For anyone buying on these developments, a Level 2 Survey still has real value because it can uncover construction defects and snagging items that may not fall under the developer's warranty. Even where NHBC or similar structural warranties are in place, we often find cosmetic issues and snagging work that should be rectified before you move in.

The Greetham Neighbourhood Plan puts clear emphasis on flood risk and on protecting village character as development moves forward. Our surveyors know the local planning background and can comment on environmental or site-specific matters that may affect homes in particular parts of Greetham. Significant flooding is not usually a defining issue here, but the Neighbourhood Plan does identify spots where surface water can build up, especially after heavy rain. If there are concerns tied to a property's position within the village, we can flag them and say whether extra investigation would be sensible.

Our RICS Level 2 Survey gives you the detail you need, whether the property is a period home or a new build. In older houses, we assess traditional stone walls, lime mortar pointing and any historic alterations that may have been carried out over time. In newer homes, we carry out a thorough snagging inspection to assess workmanship and pick up defects that should be dealt with before completion. Different property types call for different areas of focus, and we cover both in Greetham.