RICS Level 2 Survey in Wingham, Kent

Our RICS Level 2 Home Survey gives you a thorough look at the property’s condition, picking up any significant defects or issues that could influence your purchase decision. We inspect all accessible parts of the home, from the roof structure, walls, windows and doors through to plumbing, electrical systems and damp proofing. For Wingham properties, that matters a lot, because the area has plenty of older buildings, many of them built in traditional brick from the Victorian and Edwardian periods. Our surveyors know that many homes along the High Street and the surrounding roads were put up in solid wall construction rather than modern cavity walls, and that has a real bearing on thermal efficiency and damp resistance.

Structural integrity is a key part of the inspection, so we look for any sign of subsidence, movement or weakness that might lead to expensive repairs. In Kent properties we regularly come across roof issues in period buildings, tired old brickwork and damp penetration, and those are exactly the sorts of things we watch for in older Wingham homes. Outbuildings, garages and the grounds are also checked as part of the full service. Where a property has a large garden, which is common around Wingham, we also look at boundaries, trees close to the house and anything that might point to ground condition problems.

Once the inspection is done, you receive a clear report without the jargon, with any concerns set out using a simple traffic light system. Red shows serious issues that need prompt attention, amber marks areas to keep an eye on or look at further, and green means the condition is satisfactory. It gives you a proper sense of what you are buying and can help when negotiating if substantial defects turn up. We include plenty of photographs too, so you can see exactly what our surveyor found, even if this is the first time you have had a property survey carried out.

Energy efficiency is part of the Level 2 survey as well, so you get useful information about the property’s current thermal performance. Many Wingham homes are older solid-wall buildings, so this can be important when you are planning your budget, as insulation upgrades or heating improvements may be worth considering. We point out any obvious ways the energy performance could be improved, which helps you weigh up both day-to-day running costs and any work that may lie ahead.

• Roof structure and covering
• Wall construction and condition
• Damp and timber assessment
• Electrical systems overview
• Plumbing and drainage
• Windows and doors
• Outbuildings and grounds
• Energy efficiency considerations

From surveying properties across the Dover district and the wider Kent area, we keep seeing the same kinds of issues in and around Wingham. Roof condition is a regular concern, especially on period homes where the original slate or clay tiles may be near the end of their life. We often find damaged or missing tiles, failed flashing and evidence of earlier leaks that have already led to timber decay in roof voids. The traditional clay tiles used on many Victorian and Edwardian homes in the area are durable, but they do eventually become brittle and more vulnerable to wind and weather damage. Where access is possible, our surveyors inspect roof spaces carefully, checking rafters, battens and any insulation in place.

Damp penetration is another major issue, particularly in older brick-built properties where the original solid walls do not have modern cavity insulation. Rising damp and penetrating damp can affect walls, floors and timbers if they are not dealt with properly, and our Level 2 survey includes detailed damp checks to pick up these problems. In Wingham’s older homes, which account for a large share of the housing stock, we often see signs of damp that have built up over many years, sometimes even where a damp proof course is present but has failed or been bridged. We use our experience to work out the likely cause and seriousness of the damp, separating minor condensation from more serious penetrating damp that needs repair.

Because so many Wingham homes were built before 1945, windows and doors are another area we often flag. Rotten timber frames, failing seals in double-glazed units and general wear can all affect security and thermal performance. We also check brickwork and pointing, as traditional lime mortar in older homes breaks down over time and can leave the building open to water penetration and movement. The red brick houses that define much of Wingham’s High Street are especially prone to mortar erosion, where the lime mortar between the bricks has weathered away over decades of rain. That matters even more in the conservation area, where any repointing may need to use suitable traditional materials to keep the building’s character intact.

Older Wingham properties often come with electrical systems that have not been updated for years. Many homes in the village still have old fuse boards and wiring that no longer meets current Part P building regulations. We visually inspect the consumer unit and any prominent socket outlets, and we flag obvious concerns. A full electrical inspection by a qualified electrician is still recommended for older homes, but our survey will identify visible issues such as outdated consumer units, worn wiring or a lack of RCD protection that should be addressed before completion. Those findings are set out clearly in the report, along with the relevant recommendations.