RICS Level 3 Building Survey in Desborough

Our RICS Level 3 Building Survey gives you far more than a basic mortgage valuation. At a Desborough property, our surveyor works through all accessible areas in a careful room by room inspection, looking at the main structural elements, including walls, floors, ceilings and the roof structure, as well as the condition of windows, doors and fixed fittings.

We look closely at how sound the property is, checking for movement, penetrating damp, timber decay and other faults that may affect long term stability. In Desborough, where there is a notable share of detached and semi-detached homes, we pay particular attention to roof structures and to any extensions or alterations added over the years. On period properties, we regularly find older roof coverings and chimney stacks that need a more detailed assessment.

The survey covers services too, including plumbing, electrics, heating and drainage. We comment on the general state of these systems and highlight any obvious safety concerns or items that need attention from a specialist. That means a useful assessment, not a long list of trivial blemishes. From our work on Desborough homes, we often see older properties with dated electrical installations and heating systems nearing the end of their serviceable life.

Where access is available, we inspect the outside as well, including boundaries, outbuildings and retaining walls. Around Desborough, properties with larger gardens or plots next to agricultural land are common, so we note any drainage concerns or boundary issues that could affect how the property functions day to day. We also check detached garages and other outbuildings, which are widespread here because detached homes are so popular.

• Structural walls and foundations
• Roof structure and coverings
• Windows, doors, and joinery
• Damp and timber condition
• Plumbing and drainage
• Electrical installations
• Heating systems
• External areas and boundaries

Desborough has a broad range of property types, and each one brings its own survey issues. The village has expanded noticeably in recent years, with new-build homes available from around £265,000. Although these modern properties may seem to need a lighter touch, a Level 3 survey can still uncover construction defects or snagging problems that are easy to miss without trained eyes. We have surveyed many new-build homes in the Desborough area and regularly pick up issues that builders should put right before the developers' warranty period runs out.

About 49% of Desborough's housing stock is detached, so we often inspect homes with more complicated roof structures, several chimneys and larger floor areas. Those features mean more individual parts that can develop faults over time, which is why the full scope of a Level 3 survey is especially useful here. In the village centre and the surrounding streets, detached houses often use traditional construction methods and need experienced assessment.

Semi-detached homes make up 31% of Desborough's housing, and they often share structural elements with the adjoining property, especially in older terraces. We check the condition of shared walls carefully and consider any implications for both sides. Terraced homes account for 14%, a smaller share, but they are common in the older parts of the village and may have seen a range of alterations over the years. In these cases, we watch closely for signs of structural movement that could point to foundation problems or weaknesses in the original construction.

With any property, especially one built using traditional methods, we look closely at issues often seen across Northamptonshire. That includes checking for movement or settlement, reviewing the condition of older roofing materials and assessing any extensions or later modifications added to the original building. Our experience in Desborough has also shown that ground conditions can affect homes in certain locations, so we make sure the survey considers those potential risk factors properly.