RICS Level 2 Survey West Wittering

A RICS Level 2 Survey gives a careful visual inspection of all accessible parts of the property. Our surveyor checks the roof, walls, floors, windows, doors, plumbing, heating and electrical systems. The report sets out clear condition ratings for each element, identifies defects or concerns, and gives advice on repairs and maintenance. For West Wittering homes, we give extra attention to coastal matters such as flood risk and damp. We look for salt air corrosion, water ingress, and drainage systems that could be overwhelmed during coastal storms.

RICS Level 2 Surveys in West Wittering begin from £445 for standard properties. The final price depends on the property's size, type and condition. Larger homes, properties over £500,000, or those needing a more complex inspection can cost more. Given the average property price in West Wittering of over £700,000, the survey fee is good value for protecting your investment. Listed buildings or homes in the Conservation Area may attract extra fees because they need closer scrutiny. With 815 properties having sold in West Wittering over the past decade, we have plenty of pricing examples to draw on when quoting for different property types.

Even newbuild homes like those at Wittering Place gain from a Level 2 Survey. Our inspection can pick up construction defects, snagging issues, or faults with fittings and finishes that the developer may need to put right. New builds can still hide problems, and a professional survey gives you written evidence if corrections need to be requested from the builder. We have surveyed many homes on the Wittering Place development and know the common issues that arise in these modern builds, including faults with air source heat pumps and underfloor heating systems that need specialist knowledge to assess properly.

Most Level 2 Surveys in West Wittering take between 2-3 hours, although the exact time depends on the size and complexity of the property. Smaller terrace homes may take around 90 minutes, while larger detached houses can take 3-4 hours. We aim to carry out inspections within a few days of booking, and the written report is usually sent within 5 working days. With larger period homes that have multiple extensions, we allow extra time because our surveyor needs to assess each addition properly and check for any structural issues where the extensions were tied into the original building.

Our surveyors look visually for signs of previous flooding, water damage and damp throughout the property. We note the property's position in relation to flood zones and check the condition of drainage systems. For homes in West Wittering's coastal areas near West Strand, East Strand, Marine Drive, Marine Close, Tamarisk Walk, and West Bracklesham Drive, we comment specifically on flood risk and the state of any flood defence measures. A full flood risk assessment, though, needs separate environmental searches. We can talk you through what those searches may show, based on our knowledge of local flood patterns and the property's exact location.

If our Level 2 Survey uncovers serious defects, there are a few routes open to you. You might ask the seller to deal with the issues before completion, negotiate a lower purchase price to cover the repair costs, or, in some cases, pull out of the purchase without losing your deposit, subject to contract terms. The report gives you written evidence of the problems, which can be useful when asking for a better price or repairs. In West Wittering's current market, with prices adjusted from their peak, sellers may be more open to discussion on matters raised in the survey. Your conveyancing solicitor can use our report to back up any request for repairs or a price change.

Properties in West Wittering face a number of area-specific issues that our surveyors are trained to identify. Salt air is hard on metalwork, including railings, gutters and structural fixings. Damp penetration is also more common than in inland homes, especially in period properties with solid walls. Flood risk varies a great deal depending on how close the property sits to the coast, and homes in places like West Strand and Marine Drive need careful assessment. The underlying geology can also affect buildings, with clay soils prone to shrink-swell movement that may lead to subsidence in older houses. We check for all of these points when surveying homes in the area.

If you are buying in or near the West Wittering Conservation Area, our survey includes an assessment of traditional features that may fall under heritage protection. The Conservation Area covers the historic village centre around Pound Road, the church and the school, and includes ten listed buildings, among them St Peter and St Paul's Church as a Grade I listed building. Our surveyors understand what listed status means in practice, and we can explain the impact it may have on future alterations or renovations. We inspect original features such as sash windows, thatched roofs if present, and traditional brickwork that may be subject to conservation requirements.