RICS Level 2 Survey in SA72 Pembroke Dock

We inspect all accessible parts of the property thoroughly. Our chartered surveyors look at walls, roof, floors, doors, windows and bathrooms, picking up on defects, visible damp, structural movement and any other issue that could affect value or mean future repair work. The survey uses a traffic light rating system, red for urgent matters needing attention, amber for defects that should be dealt with, and green for satisfactory condition.

In Pembroke Dock, where many homes are likely to be over 50 years old, we give extra attention to the sorts of problems that turn up in older construction. That means checking for damp penetration, looking over roofing materials, examining window frames and joinery, and inspecting electrical consumer units where we can access them. We also look at foundations and any visible movement or subsidence, which matters even more in clay soil areas that shrink and swell as moisture changes. Our surveyors are trained to spot the subtle signs that a less experienced eye may miss.

The Level 2 survey also covers market value and reinstatement cost for insurance, so you get a fuller picture of the property's financial side as well as its condition. If we find anything urgent, we highlight it straight away, helping you decide how to proceed with the purchase. Our reports are clear, plain English, and easy for buyers to follow. We keep jargon to a minimum and put our findings into context.

Buying a property is a major financial step, so we focus on giving you the facts needed to move forward with confidence or renegotiate on the basis of evidence. A standard report usually runs to 30-40 pages, with proper coverage of every accessible element.

Pembroke Dock's housing stock reflects a town that expanded quickly during the naval dockyard era. A good number of properties are likely to be mid-terrace or semi-detached houses built between the late 19th century and mid-20th century. Many of these have solid walls rather than cavity walls, so damp penetration can be more of a concern if maintenance has slipped. Our surveyors are used to traditional construction across Pembrokeshire and know how to identify hidden defects in solid wall properties.

We pay particular attention to roof condition in SA72. A lot of older homes still have original or aged roofing materials, whether tiles or slate, and years of exposure to the Welsh climate can leave them tired. Our inspection covers roof coverings, flashing, chimneys and gutter systems for damage, leaks and likely maintenance needs. Salt air from the coast can speed up weathering too, something our local surveyors are well aware of. We often find that properties within a mile of the coastline show more advanced deterioration of roof tiles and external render than homes further inland.

Older properties in the area often bring electrical safety concerns as well. We cannot test every circuit during a visual inspection, but we do check the consumer unit, visible wiring and socket outlets for obvious hazards or installations that are now outdated and will need updating. Homes with original electrical systems from the mid-20th century or earlier will usually need rewiring to meet current standards, and we will say so if we see it. Victorian and Edwardian terraces are a common example, where original rubber-insulated cabling may still be in place.

Many Pembroke Dock properties also have solid concrete floors rather than suspended timber floors, and these can be prone to damp if no damp-proof course was installed or if it has failed. We look for signs of rising damp and, where necessary, recommend a specialist damp survey. Clay soil conditions in parts of SA72 can also affect foundations over time, especially during drought or periods of excessive rainfall, and our surveyors are trained to spot the signs of movement.

After the survey, you receive a detailed report prepared to RICS standards and written in clear, accessible language. It opens with a property summary, including basic details, approximate year of construction and the type of construction. From there, each major building element is covered, from the roof down to the foundations, with findings and condition ratings set out plainly. We include photographs of key defects so you can see exactly what we mean.

Each section uses a traffic light system to show condition at a glance, red for urgent defects needing immediate attention, amber for issues that should be repaired or investigated further, and green for areas in satisfactory condition. That makes it easy to scan the report and pick out the most serious matters quickly. There is also a legal considerations section, which highlights anything that may need passing to your conveyancing solicitor, such as missing documents or possible boundary disputes.

If we uncover urgent defects that could affect habitability or safety, we will recommend further investigation by specialists. That could mean a structural engineer for foundation concerns, a damp specialist for moisture issues or a qualified electrician for electrical installations. Our aim is to give you the full picture so you can make the right call on your purchase in SA72. We do more than list defects, we explain what they mean for you as a buyer and set out the next steps we would suggest.

Our report also includes a market valuation based on current SA72 property data, which can help with mortgage requirements and with judging how the property sits against others nearby. We also provide the reinstatement cost, the figure your insurer needs to rebuild the property from scratch, which matters for buildings insurance. Both valuations come as standard with our Level 2 Survey.