RICS Level 2 Homebuyer Survey St. Clement

In St. Clement, the RICS Level 2 Homebuyer Survey is the option we’re asked for most often, especially with so many older period houses locally. Our inspectors look over the property from top to bottom, picking up defects that could affect value or need attention. We check walls, floors, ceilings, doors and windows, as well as the roof, chimneys and drainage systems. Each part is given a condition rating from R1 (no repair needed) to R4 (urgent repair or serious defect).

Because many homes in St. Clement were built between 1800 and 1911, our survey focuses closely on the kinds of faults period construction often brings. We look for signs of damp, inspect original joinery and sash windows, review older roof structures, and note any past alterations that may not comply with current building regulations. The report sets out everything from minor defects to serious urgent matters needing immediate attention. Where relevant, we also inspect outbuildings, boundaries and communal areas.

As part of the survey, we include both a market valuation and an insurance rebuild cost, so you get a fuller view of what the property is worth. If any part of the condition gives us concern, we set out straightforward recommendations for further specialist investigations. In the TR1 postcode area, where values can vary widely, that detail matters. Our valuation uses local comparable sales data, including recent transactions on St Clements Hill and St Clements Terrace, to give a sound picture of current market conditions.

Local knowledge makes a real difference in St. Clement. Our surveyors know the area well and can spot issues that a less experienced inspector might miss. We’re used to the recurring faults in period properties in this part of Cornwall, from damp linked to solid wall construction to problems with historic roof coverings. That experience helps us know where to focus and what to flag in the report.

• Structural integrity assessment
• Damp and timber condition check
• Roof and chimney inspection
• Electrical and plumbing overview
• Market valuation
• Insurance rebuild cost

Homes in St. Clement, especially those built before 1919 in the TR1 1SX area, can come with very particular problems, and damp is one of the issues we see most often. In this part of Cornwall, that may mean rising damp in solid wall construction or penetrating damp caused by worn pointing, damaged gutters or defective roof coverings. Our surveyors use visual assessment techniques to pick up the usual clues, including staining, peeling wallpaper, musty odours, and the deterioration of plaster or timber.

Older properties in St. Clement also raise regular concerns around timber decay. Woodworm, wet rot and dry rot can all affect floor joists, roof timbers, window frames and door frames, especially where maintenance has slipped. We inspect all accessible timber elements and look for evidence of active infestation or decay. Particular care goes into checking joists in ground floor properties and roof timbers, where repairs are often the most expensive.

Roofs need close attention on many of St. Clement’s period homes. A good number of Victorian and Edwardian houses here still retain their original slate roofs, and some may be nearing the end of their useful life. We inspect roof coverings, flashings, chimneys and parapet walls, noting cracked or missing slates, failing mortar and signs of earlier repairs. Cornwall’s weather is more exposed than in many other parts of the UK, so keeping roofs in good order is especially important.

In older houses, the services can be just as important as the structure. We often find electrical systems that fall short of current regulations, including outdated consumer units, poor earthing and older wiring that may need updating. Plumbing can be similar, with lead or galvanised steel pipes in period properties sometimes close to the end of their working life. Our overview gives you a practical sense of what may need attention before, or soon after, you move in.

Across Cornwall, the property market has shifted a little in recent months. County-wide prices have fallen by around 4% over the past twelve months. In December 2025, the average house price in Cornwall was £277,000, which was 2.5% lower than December 2024. There were 7,000 property sales across the county in the previous twelve months, down 14.1% on the previous year. In conditions like these, an accurate independent view of value is all the more useful.

In the TR1 1SX area, prices have dropped by an average of 6.4% since the last recorded sale in February 2025, although the market has risen by 29.6% over the last ten years. That mix of short-term pressure and long-term growth is exactly why it helps to know what you are buying. We provide realistic valuations based on local market knowledge and recent comparable sales in St. Clement and the wider TR1 area.

New build homes in Cornwall can look like the lower-risk choice, and 179 sold in the last twelve months at an average price of £355,000. Even so, new properties are not free from defects, and our Level 2 survey can identify issues arising from the build process that the developer should put right. If you are considering a new development or a period property, a survey still gives valuable information.

For first-time buyers, and for anyone buying with help-to-buy schemes, a Level 2 survey is often required by the mortgage or loan provider. Even for cash buyers, we would not suggest missing it. The cost of the survey is small compared with the expense of unexpected repairs, and it gives you firmer ground for your decision. In a market where homes range from £181,000 on St Clements Hill to more than £760,000 for large period houses, it remains very good value.