RICS Level 2 Survey in Stone-cum-Ebony

Our Level 2 HomeBuyer Survey gives a detailed visual inspection of the property’s accessible areas. We look at walls, roof, floors, windows, doors and joinery, checking for damp, rot, structural movement and other defects that could affect value or safety. In Stone-cum-Ebony, where many homes still use traditional construction, including mellow brick and part tile-hung elevations, our surveyors know the local quirks from years of inspecting similar properties across the Kentish Weald.

We assess all the main elements, from the pitched peg tiled roofs common here to the timber casement and sash windows found in period homes. Outbuildings are included too, and in this rural spot that can mean converted barns, weatherboard-clad structures or former agricultural buildings now in residential use. Our report uses a clear traffic light rating system, so urgent items stand out from those that can wait and be monitored.

If a property in Stone-cum-Ebony sits within a conservation area or is listed, we flag any issues linked to preservation rules. The area has several historic homes, including a Grade II Listed house thought to date from the 15th Century, and our surveyors understand the extra demands of older construction. We also note any clash between historic character and modern building regulations, giving you the full picture before you proceed.

Complex period buildings often call for a full RICS Level 3 Building Survey, especially converted Oast houses with curved roofs or historic farmhouses that have seen major structural alteration. Even so, the Level 2 offers strong value for standard residential purchases in this area. During booking, our team will talk you through the right level for the property you are buying.

• Visual inspection of all accessible areas
• Assessment of roof condition and structure
• Damp and timber defect analysis
• Evaluation of windows, doors, and joinery
• Condition ratings for all key building elements
• Advice on urgent repairs and future maintenance

Throughout Stone-cum-Ebony, properties often use traditional methods that were standard across Kent in the 18th and 19th centuries. The mellow brick external elevations and timber casement windows bring plenty of character, but they need regular upkeep to stay sound. We often find damp penetration in older brickwork, especially where pointing has broken down over time or cementitious mortars have been used in repairs that do not suit the original soft brickwork.

Most period homes here have pitched peg tiled roofs, another regular focus of our surveys. They are durable and, with proper care, can last for decades, but we still come across slipped tiles, wear to leadwork around chimneys and signs of past water ingress that current owners may never have noticed. Converted Oast houses, with their curved roofs, bring their own inspection challenges, and our surveyors know the problems particular to those distinctive structures. If the roof construction is especially complex, we may recommend a more detailed structural survey.

The rural setting of Stone-cum-Ebony means we look closely at timber defects too, including rot in window frames, woodworm activity and beetle infestation in older properties where timber elements have been in place for many decades. Being close to woodland and agricultural land in this Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty can raise moisture levels in some spots, which makes damp checks especially important. We use moisture meters alongside visual inspection to build a clear picture of the property's condition.

Older homes may also have electrical and plumbing systems that need attention. Many period farmhouses and converted Oasts have seen some modernisation over the years, but in parts of the house the original wiring and plumbing may still be in place. Our survey flags any outdated systems that should be upgraded, and where needed we recommend further checks by qualified electricians or plumbers. We also inspect oil-fired heating systems, which are common in rural homes off the gas grid.