Professional homebuyers survey with defects analysis and market valuation








Our chartered surveyors provide RICS Level 2 surveys across Stone and the ST15 postcode area. This survey, formerly known as the HomeBuyer Report, gives you a comprehensive assessment of the property's condition before you commit to purchase. We inspect the main accessible elements of the building, identifying defects that could affect value or require expensive repairs, and provide a market valuation based on local data.
Stone is a historic market town in Staffordshire situated between Stafford and Stoke-on-Trent. The ST15 area has seen 268 property sales in the last 12 months, with average prices around £273,000. Our inspectors know the local housing stock and understand the typical issues that affect properties in this part of Staffordshire, from Victorian mid-terrace properties in the town centre to modern detached houses in surrounding developments.
With property prices in ST15 showing a 10% decrease over the past year and 28% fewer transactions than the previous period, the current market favours buyers who can negotiate confidently. Our detailed survey reports give you the evidence you need to either renegotiate the price based on defects found or proceed with your purchase knowing exactly what you're committing to.

£273,185
Average House Price
268
Properties Sold (12 months)
-10%
Price Change (12 months)
Detached & Terraced
Most Common Type
Booking a RICS Level 2 survey with our team in ST15 means our surveyor carries out a detailed visual inspection of the property’s main parts. We look at walls, roof, foundations, floors, doors and windows, then assess their condition and note any defects or points of concern. Where access is possible, the survey covers both inside and outside, so you get a proper sense of what you are buying.
Our report uses a traffic light rating system, so the seriousness of any issue is easy to spot straight away, from green (no action needed) to red (urgent repairs required). In Stone, where Victorian and Edwardian construction is common in the town centre and the surrounding residential streets, that system helps separate cosmetic defects from problems that may need major spend. We set everything out in plain English, with no technical jargon to trip you up.
We also prepare a market valuation for the property using current local data from home.co.uk, homedata.co.uk, and HM Land Registry. Detached properties in ST15 average around £376,000 and terraced properties are approximately £208,000, so that figure can help with negotiation if the survey throws up problems. Our valuers know Stone’s neighbourhoods well, from the historic properties around the town centre to newer developments on the outskirts.
An energy efficiency assessment is part of the survey too, looking at insulation, heating systems and double-glazing. Many older homes in Stone still have original single-glazed windows and ageing heating systems, so this section can point to ways of improving energy performance and cutting ongoing running costs.
Source: home.co.uk / homedata.co.uk
Pick your RICS Level 2 survey and choose a date that suits you. We confirm the appointment within 24 hours and send over a pre-survey questionnaire to complete. That gives our surveyor a better sense of any specific concerns before they arrive.
Our chartered surveyor spends 1-3 hours at your Stone property, depending on its size and complexity. They inspect all accessible areas, including the roof space (if safe to access), under-floor voids and outbuildings. Photos are taken, key dimensions are measured, and defects needing your attention are recorded.
Usually within 3-5 working days, we email your detailed RICS Level 2 report. It includes condition ratings for each element, clear defect analysis with photographs, and a market valuation for the ST15 area. Any urgent issues that need immediate attention are flagged clearly.
With the report in hand, you can ask for repairs, seek a price adjustment from the seller, or decide whether to continue with the purchase. If any part of the findings is unclear, our team is on hand to talk it through over the phone.
There have been 28% fewer property sales in ST15 than in the previous year, so a proper survey matters even more. The 10% price reduction means careful negotiation on defects can save you thousands. In a buyer’s market, our Level 2 survey gives you the evidence needed to negotiate with confidence.
Stone’s housing stock contains a large number of older homes, and Victorian mid-terrace houses and early 20th-century properties make up a substantial share of the market. They often have plenty of character, but they also bring defects that only a trained eye will catch. Our surveyors in ST15 know the specific issues linked to traditional brick construction in this area.
We look for damp penetration in solid walls, ageing roof coverings and outdated electrical systems, among the other issues that matter most. With the average terraced property in ST15 at around £208,000, hidden defects after purchase can turn into repair bills running into thousands of pounds. A Level 2 survey gives you bargaining power.
Many houses in Stone were built before modern building regulations came into force, so they can lack features buyers now expect. Our surveyors check for adequate damp-proof courses, enough insulation and safe electrical installations. We also note where original features have broken down and where modern upgrades may be needed.

Our work across Stone and Staffordshire means we know the local patterns well. Victorian and Edwardian properties in ST15 often suffer from penetrating damp, usually because of degraded external render or bridged cavity walls. Solid brick walls, common in pre-1919 construction, do not have modern damp-proof courses and need close attention. Our inspectors check moisture levels and trace the source of any dampness, whether it is rising damp, condensation or penetrating water ingress.
Older Stone properties also tend to show roof deterioration. Victorian roofs often keep their original clay tiles, which can become brittle after years of Staffordshire weather. We check for missing tiles, damaged flashings and signs of earlier leaks that may have led to timber decay. With semi-detached properties sharing roof structures, problems on one side can affect the neighbour too, and our surveyors record that carefully.
Foundation and structural movement issues come up in the ST15 area as well. Homes built on the local clay soils can suffer from subsidence or settlement, especially where drainage has been poor or trees have shifted the ground. Our surveyors watch for cracking patterns, uneven floors and doors that do not close properly, all signs of movement that may need further investigation.
Electrical systems in older Stone homes often need a close look. Many Victorian and Edwardian properties still have original fuse boards and wiring that no longer meets current regulations. Our surveyors note the consumer unit, any visible wiring in accessible areas, and whether the installation appears to have been updated. For any property over 30 years old, we always recommend a specialist electrical inspection by a registered electrician.
A RICS Level 2 survey covers a visual inspection of all accessible parts of the property, walls, roof, floors, windows, doors and services. We give each element a condition rating using a traffic light system (green, amber, red), identify defects and likely causes, and include a market valuation based on local property data. The report explains the issues in plain English and sets out any repairs that may be needed. In Stone, we pay particular attention to local construction types, including damp in solid-walled Victorian terraces and roof defects on shared roof structures.
In ST15, RICS Level 2 survey costs typically sit between £450 and £800, depending on the property’s size and value. For a standard terraced property, around £208,000, expect to pay around £450-£550. Larger detached homes, averaging £376,000 in ST15, usually come in at £600-£800. The fee reflects the property’s size, age and construction type. Older homes with pre-1919 construction may attract slightly higher fees because solid wall construction and older roof structures need extra inspection time.
New-build homes generally have fewer defects than older properties, but a Level 2 survey can still pick up build quality issues, snagging items or specification problems. If you are buying a new-build in Stone, check whether your developer offers a warranty scheme. Even with a new property, the survey gives useful documentation of its condition at handover. We have found that recently built homes can still have defects that were not obvious during construction, especially with extensions or conversions.
Yes, our surveyors use moisture meters to detect dampness in walls, floors and ceilings. We identify whether the damp is rising, penetrating or condensation, then recommend suitable remedies. In Stone’s older properties, damp is one of the most common findings, particularly in solid-walled Victorian terraces where modern damp-proof courses may be absent or damaged. We also look for signs of previous damp treatment and check whether any damp-proofing is still doing its job.
A Level 2 survey usually takes 1-2 hours for a flat or small terraced property, 2-3 hours for a semi-detached or mid-size property, and 3-4 hours for a large detached house. Our surveyor needs access to all rooms, the roof space if it is accessible, and the exterior of the property. We recommend that the buyer or their representative is there during the survey, so we can point out any immediate concerns and talk through what we find.
If our survey turns up serious defects rated as condition rating 3 or "urgent repairs needed", there are a few routes open to you. You can ask the seller to carry out repairs before completion, negotiate a reduction in the purchase price to cover the cost of repairs, or, in some cases, walk away if the problems are so serious that they affect the property’s value or habitability. In the current ST15 market, with reduced activity, sellers may be more willing to talk on major defects rather than risk losing a buyer.
From £600
For older, larger, or complex properties requiring detailed assessment
From £300
Required for mortgage applications and Help to Buy schemes
From £80
Energy Performance Certificate for property sales and rentals
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Professional homebuyers survey with defects analysis and market valuation
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Homemove is a trading name of HM Haus Group Ltd (Company No. 13873779, registered in England & Wales). Homemove Mortgages Ltd (Company No. 15947693) is an Appointed Representative of TMG Direct Limited, trading as TMG Mortgage Network, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FRN 786245). Homemove Mortgages Ltd is entered on the FCA Register as an Appointed Representative (FRN 1022429). You can check registrations at NewRegister or by calling 0800 111 6768.