RICS Level 3 Survey BN13 Worthing | Full Structural Survey

BN13 brings together a broad spread of housing stock, from Edwardian semis in Salvington to newer schemes such as Saxon Gate in Durrington. Semi-detached homes account for 37.6% of the stock, detached properties sit at 29.8%, and that mix gives the area plenty of variety, along with differing levels of risk for buyers. Our inspectors know Worthing well and have spent years surveying homes across the town. With 15,229 people living in 6,368 households, it is a densely populated suburban patch with a wide range of property types.

In the older parts of Durrington and Salvington, many homes were built before 1919, so solid brick walls are often more common than modern cavity construction. Those houses can hide problems such as tired lime mortar, dated electrics, and long-standing timber defects that are easy to miss on a routine viewing. Inter-war and post-war homes bring their own quirks too, and plenty have simply worn down after decades of use. Properties from the 1919-1945 period often rely on shallow foundations, which can struggle on variable ground.

Ground conditions across BN13 bring their own set of structural questions. Much of the postcode sits on chalk bedrock, especially in higher spots like High Salvington, yet areas with superficial deposits of Head deposits or Brickearth can be prone to shrink-swell movement, particularly in extreme weather. Our surveyors look for the signs, cracking, subsidence indicators, and other clues that matter most where shallow foundations sit on clayey soils. Mature trees around Salvington and Durrington can make matters worse, since roots draw moisture from clay ground.

Worthing’s position near Brighton, together with strong rail connections into London, gives it real commuter appeal and helps drive demand. Jobs in healthcare at Worthing Hospital, education, retail, and professional services add further stability to the local market. A lot of BN13 buyers are commuting into work, so they want reassurance that a major purchase is structurally sound before they commit.

• Pre-1919 solid brick properties
• Inter-war and post-war housing
• Modern new build developments
• Properties near mature trees

Our work across Worthing and the BN13 area points to a few recurring issues that come up again and again. Damp is one of the main ones, especially in older solid-walled homes where rising damp or penetrating damp may appear after a failed damp-proof course or poor ventilation. Poorly maintained houses, or places where original features were removed without proper thought, often show the worst of it. Rendered finishes are another common feature in BN13, and cracked or degraded render can hold moisture in the walls.

Roof defects crop up often in BN13 surveys too. The pitched roofs seen across the area, whether finished in concrete tiles, clay tiles, or older slate, all wear over time. Our inspectors regularly pick up cracked or missing tiles, faulty flashings, and rainwater goods problems that can lead to water penetration. Given the age profile in Durrington and Salvington, these defects are often far from minor and can call for serious repair spending. Where a roof is original and over 60 years old, we normally look more closely at rafters, purlins, and supporting timbers.

Many properties in the area also show timber defects, including woodworm and both wet and dry rot, particularly where suspended timber floors or roof timbers have been left in damp conditions for a long time. Mature trees in some parts of BN13 can also contribute to root-related subsidence, especially on the clay-rich superficial deposits that sit over the chalk bedrock in certain locations. Our surveyors check wall cracks carefully, test doors and windows, and look at the surrounding ground to spot any signs of structural movement.

Older BN13 homes often need their electrical and heating systems brought up to date. Properties built before modern electrical regulations may still have wiring that falls short of current safety standards. Likewise, original mid-20th century heating systems are often not up to present-day expectations and may need full replacement. For buyers, those can be significant hidden costs.

• Rising damp and penetrating damp
• Roof tile deterioration and flashing defects
• Timber rot and woodworm infestation
• Foundation movement on clay soils
• Outdated electrical and heating systems

Across BN13, the main construction method from the early 20th century onwards is cavity brickwork, while homes built before 1900 usually have solid brick walls. Rendered finishes are widespread, especially on older houses and some newer schemes. Pitched roofs with concrete or clay tiles dominate the local streetscape, though some heritage properties still keep their original slate coverings. Knowing how these homes were built matters when we are looking for defects during a survey.

Solid-walled homes can be sturdy and full of character, but they are more likely to suffer from damp penetration and need different treatment from modern cavity wall properties. Older shallow strip foundations may also perform less well where ground conditions vary in parts of BN13 and clay deposits lie over chalk. Our surveyors know these differences and adjust their inspections accordingly. On the clay-rich Head deposits and Brickearth areas of BN13, foundation performance needs extra attention, especially where mature trees are nearby.

Properties in conservation areas, or listed buildings that may be found in parts of Salvington and Durrington, call for a higher level of specialist knowledge. These homes often have historic importance and construction methods that need careful handling. Our RICS surveyors regularly assess heritage properties and can spot issues linked to historic building conservation while still giving practical guidance on maintenance and repair. Alterations may also be restricted by Listed Building Consent and Conservation Area Consent, and our reports will highlight those points.

• Cavity brickwork construction
• Solid brick walls in pre-1900 properties
• Rendered finishes
• Concrete and clay tile roofs
• Shallow strip foundations