RICS Level 2 Survey in Long Compton

Our RICS Level 2 Home Survey is the option most people choose in Long Compton, especially for the village’s usual mix of conventional homes. Our inspectors look over all visible and accessible parts of the property, flagging defects that might knock the value or lead to expensive repairs. We use clear, colour-coded ratings from "OK" to "Urgent", so you can see straight away which matters need attention.

Long Compton has a lot of older homes, many from the 17th and 18th centuries, so our surveyors take extra care with traditional Cotswold stone walls, thatched and stone-tiled roofs, and historic timber features. We look for damp in solid-wall properties, check ageing roof structures, and review older electrical and plumbing systems, all of which are common in houses of that age.

As part of our Level 2 survey, we include a market valuation, giving you confidence that the property matches the agreed purchase price. We also set out any urgent repairs and estimate what the remedial work might cost. For the 31 listed buildings in Long Compton and homes within the Conservation Area, we point out any special issues around materials and ongoing maintenance.

We also consider flood risk from the tributary of the River Stour that rises in the valley where Long Compton sits. The village is not in a high-risk flood zone, but our surveyors still note any parts of the property that could be prone to surface water flooding after heavy rain, especially in the lower-lying areas.

• Visible structural issues
• Roof condition and defects
• Damp and timber decay
• Electrical and plumbing condition
• Boundary and outbuilding assessment
• Energy efficiency overview

Because Long Compton sits in the Cotswolds, many properties were built from locally quarried oolitic limestone, the golden-coloured stone that gives the village its look. That traditional method of construction comes with its own issues, and our RICS Level 2 surveys are designed to spot and assess them.

Many older homes here have solid stone walls, not the cavity walls used in modern buildings. Without a built-in damp proof course, they are more exposed to rising damp, particularly where ground levels have been raised over time or where original lime mortar has been replaced with cement. Our inspectors use moisture meters to check damp levels and can identify where cement-based mortars are trapping moisture and damaging the stonework.

Long Compton sits on Jurassic limestone bedrock, so ground conditions are generally steady. Even so, we still look for signs of subsidence or movement, especially near mature trees or where extensions have been added. Drainage matters too, since poor surface water runoff can affect even structurally sound homes.

With 82 buildings considered to have local architectural and historic value within the Conservation Area, and properties such as Appletrees, a mid-18th century cottage, Ferndale, a mid-to-late 17th century house, and the Red Lion Inn, dated 1748, it pays to know exactly what condition these homes are in before buying.

The housing stock in Long Compton brings a few recurring issues that our RICS Level 2 surveys often pick up. Solid-wall construction is common in the village’s older homes, so damp can become a real concern, particularly where modern cement-based mortars have been used on traditional lime mortar walls. We look closely for rising damp, penetrating damp, and condensation, all of which are common in period properties.

Thatched and stone-tiled roofs need specialist assessment. We check the thatch for degradation, vegetation growth, and structural integrity. With stone-tiled roofs, we look for slipped tiles, damaged ridges, and the condition of the battens and felt beneath. These roof types can leak without the signs showing inside the house straight away.

Older homes in the village often still have original electrical wiring and plumbing, and these may fall short of current standards. We point out outdated consumer units, inadequate earthing, and ageing pipework that may need updating. Timber can also suffer, wet rot, dry rot, and woodworm may affect structural elements where damp or poor ventilation has been an issue over time.

Plenty of Long Compton properties have been extended over the years, and our surveyors examine those additions carefully. We check the foundations, the tie-in to the original building, and the damp proofing. A poorly done extension can create long-running problems with damp penetration and structural integrity.

Long Compton gives buyers a rare chance to own a home in one of Warwickshire’s most picturesque Cotswold villages. Local amenities include a J and I school, village hall, post office and general store, a local butcher, and the historic Red Lion Inn pub. Even so, anyone buying in a Conservation Area needs to understand the extra responsibilities that come with it.

Homes in the Conservation Area can face tighter planning controls, and any major alterations or extensions will need consent from Stratford-on-Avon District Council. Our survey reports flag the Conservation Area considerations that could affect your plans for the property, so you know where you stand before you complete the purchase.

As a commuter village, Long Compton is popular enough for homes here to attract premium prices, especially properties with strong links to Stratford-upon-Avon and the wider Warwickshire road network. Recent market data shows some variation in pricing, with home.co.uk reporting a 48% decrease compared with the previous year while homedata.co.uk shows more modest changes. Our market valuation element helps you judge whether the asking price is fair in the current market.