RICS Level 2 Survey in Stickford

Our inspectors carry out a detailed visual check of the property’s accessible areas. We look over walls, roof, windows, doors, floors and ceilings, and we keep an eye out for damp, rot, structural movement or decay. In Stickford, where many homes are likely to be decades old, we pay close attention to brickwork, pointing and any signs of subsidence that may be tucked out of sight.

We cover the main building systems too, including the electrical consumer unit where it can be seen, plumbing, water pressure, heating and insulation. Outbuildings, garages and any boundaries attached to the property are also reviewed. For homes near the village centre or along older streets, we note drainage conditions and look for possible problems caused by neighbouring trees or vegetation.

Every significant defect we find is photographed and recorded, however minor it may first appear. Each issue is then graded with the RICS traffic light system, red for serious defects needing urgent attention, amber for matters that should be checked further, and green for satisfactory condition. It is a straightforward way to show exactly what is being bought and where there may be room to negotiate with the seller.

• Damp and moisture penetration
• Roof condition and tile damage
• Structural movement or subsidence
• Window and door operation
• Electrical safety concerns
• Plumbing and water pressure
• Timber decay and rot
• Boundary and outbuilding condition

Stickford has real historic character, with several listed buildings including the Grade II* Church of St Helen dating from the 13th century and Shaw's Mill, a Grade II listed windmill from 1820. These older buildings form part of the local housing stock, and anyone buying a period property in the village benefits from surveyors who understand the demands of older construction methods.

Homes built before 1919 often have traditional lime mortar pointing, solid walls without cavity insulation, and older roofing materials that need specialist knowledge to assess properly. Our inspectors are used to historic buildings and will identify any places where past repairs may have introduced unsuitable modern materials that are now causing harm to traditional fabric.

For properties in or close to the conservation area, we point out any alterations that may need listed building consent or that could affect the property’s legal status. We also review red brickwork, common in local 19th-century buildings such as Shaw's Mill, and we suggest maintenance methods that respect the character of the building while dealing with defects.

• Pre-1919 period features
• Solid wall construction issues
• Traditional roofing materials
• Listed building compliance
• Conservation area considerations
• Historic brickwork maintenance

The RICS Level 2 report is set out clearly and is easy to act on, even for someone with no previous experience of property surveys. It starts with a summary of the overall condition, then moves through detailed sections on each major part of the building, from roof to foundations. Plain language is used throughout, with technical jargon kept to a minimum so the findings are easy to follow.

Each section is graded using the RICS traffic light system. Red marks out serious defects that need urgent attention, amber flags issues that should be repaired or investigated further, and green shows that the element is in satisfactory condition. We also set out practical repair recommendations, including who should do the work and roughly what it may cost.

There is also a section dealing with legal matters, highlighting anything a conveyancing solicitor should look into further. That could include boundaries, rights of way or planning permissions connected to recent alterations. Getting this before completion means buyers can make a properly informed decision and avoid expensive surprises after moving in.

Stickford’s homes reflect the broader Lincolnshire building tradition, with a mix of construction types spread across several decades. The older properties in the village are usually built with solid brick walls and traditional lime mortar, which lets the building breathe but calls for different maintenance from modern cavity wall construction. Our surveyors understand these older methods and can spot when unsuitable modern repairs have been applied to historic fabric.

Many Victorian and Edwardian properties in the area have bay windows, original joinery and decorative brickwork, all of which add character but can also bring their own issues. The red brick seen in buildings such as Shaw's Windmill is typical of 19th-century local architecture, and we check for frost damage, salt efflorescence or structural movement that could affect similar homes nearby.

For a newer property built since the 1980s, we look at build quality, the condition of any cavity wall insulation, and the standard of the windows and doors. Newer homes can still have defects, and our inspection is designed to pick up issues whatever the age of the property.