RICS Level 2 Survey in Ugley

Our inspectors look over every accessible part of a potential new home and note the condition of walls, roofs, floors, windows and doors. In Ugley, where we often come across older properties, including some dating back to the 16th and 17th centuries, we pay close attention to traditional building materials. The village has homes built using methods such as timber framing, lathe and plaster with horsehair, and, in some of the oldest buildings, wattle and daub. Those older techniques can bring their own quirks, so an experienced eye matters when we are spotting possible problems.

Damp is another key check, and it matters even more in Ugley because of the local geology. The area sits on chalk-rich Ugley Gravel and Ugley Till (boulder clay), both of which can hold moisture in a property. Our surveyors also examine roofs, which on older homes may include traditional clay tiles, clay pantiles or thatch. Because clay soils can shrink and swell through wet and dry cycles, we also look closely at foundations for movement, then record cracks, uneven floors or doors that stick, as these can point to structural concerns beneath the surface.

We also assess windows and doors for condition, how well they open and shut, and their thermal efficiency. Many period properties in Ugley still have original timber windows, and those may be better restored than replaced, especially in listed buildings where changes need consent. At the same time, we visually check the services, electrics, plumbing and heating, and note anything obviously defective or outdated. For homes on Cambridge Road or in Ugley Green, where several listed buildings can be found, we flag any works that might affect listed status or call for input from conservation officers.

Alterations and extensions are noted too, along with whether the right building regulations approvals were obtained. That is especially relevant in Ugley, where the parish includes 38 listed buildings, among them the Grade II* listed Church of St Peter and Orford House, which dates from around 1700. Unauthorised work to a listed property can lead to legal headaches for buyers, and may mean retrospective Listed Building Consent is needed.

• Structural walls and foundations
• Roof covering and structure
• Damp and moisture penetration
• Windows and doors
• Electrical and gas services
• Boundaries and outbuildings

Ugley and the nearby hamlets, including Ugley Green, offer a wide mix of property types that reflect the village's long history. The parish includes buildings from the 16th and 17th centuries, while the 13th-century Church of St Peter remains one of the oldest structures. Orford House, dating from around 1700, is a good example of the Georgian properties in the area. That sort of historic architecture brings plenty of character, but it also calls for careful inspection for age-related issues. Many homes in Ugley have been sympathetically restored and extended over the years, and our surveyors are used to judging both the quality of that work and any problems it may have introduced.

Red, yellow stock and white gault bricks are all common in Ugley, along with smooth rendering, black or white-painted horizontal weatherboarding, plain clay tiles, clay pantiles, slates and thatch. Traditional-style properties may also use facing brickwork plinths, painted render, timber windows and doors, exposed rafter feet and handmade clay tiles. Knowing these construction methods helps our surveyors spot the defects and age-related wear that an untrained eye might miss. We know what to look for in homes with original lathe and plaster with horsehair, wattle and daub and traditional timber framing.

The local ground conditions bring their own issues for property owners. Ugley sits on glacial deposits, including the chalk-rich Ugley Gravel and the clay-heavy Ugley Till. That clay layer can expand and contract as moisture levels change, which may affect foundations. Our surveyors know how to spot movement or subsidence linked to these conditions, so we look for cracking patterns, doors and windows that do not close properly and uneven floors that can point to foundation trouble. Flood risk from rivers is very low, as Ugley is in Flood Zone 1, although groundwater flooding can still happen during long spells of rain, especially in low-lying spots with naturally high water tables.

There is new development on the horizon in Ugley, with a planning application submitted for 16 dwellings on land east of Ugley Village Hall. Pelham Structures Ltd is behind the scheme, which includes 40% affordable housing and will add to the village's housing stock. From a new build on that site to a traditional cottage near the Church of St Peter, we understand the different issues each property type can bring. New homes may have snagging problems, thermal bridging or ventilation issues rather than the defects seen in period houses, and our experienced team knows how to identify them.

• 38 listed buildings in the parish
• Properties from 16th-17th centuries
• Traditional construction materials
• Clay-heavy soils with shrink-swell potential
• Low fluvial flood risk but groundwater risk
• Mix of detached, semi-detached, and terraced homes