RICS Level 3 Survey Hazlewood with Storiths

A RICS Level 3 Survey is the most in-depth inspection option available for UK property purchases. Compared with simpler checks, it gives a full assessment of structural integrity, construction quality and overall condition. Our inspectors look at walls, floors, roofs, foundations and every visible element, then set out what we find so you know exactly what you are buying. We do not stop at the obvious, we look for issues that may stay hidden until they turn into costly repairs.

In Hazlewood with Storiths, where many homes go back centuries and use traditional stone construction with stone slate roofs, that level of scrutiny matters. The survey goes well beyond a surface glance and looks for problems that may not show up at a standard viewing. We lift access hatches, inspect roof spaces where it is safe to do so, and check the load-bearing parts that keep a building stable.

Our surveyors assess the construction materials, identify defects or deterioration, judge the building’s overall stability, and give practical recommendations for repairs and ongoing maintenance. That sort of detail is especially useful in older properties, where hidden defects can sit unnoticed until they become serious. The report groups issues by priority, so you can see what needs action now and what can wait.

The RICS Level 3 Survey is recommended for all properties over 50 years old, listed buildings, and any property of non-standard construction. In Hazlewood with Storiths, where the housing stock is mainly historic stone buildings, this survey type gives the level of assessment needed to protect your investment.

• Complete structural inspection
• Defect identification and analysis
• Repair cost estimates
• Maintenance recommendations

Traditional stone-built homes in the Yorkshire Dales bring their own set of issues, and our inspectors know where to look. The nine Grade II listed buildings in Hazlewood with Storiths, many from the 17th century or earlier, speak of long occupation but also of the wear that age brings. Stone slate roofs are part of the area’s character, yet they can suffer slipped or broken slates over time, which can lead to water ingress and then timber decay in the roof structure.

Lime mortar pointing is another common feature of historic properties here, and we check it carefully. Once lime mortar starts to break down, moisture can get into the stonework and create internal damp problems, along with possible structural movement. We assess the pointing on every elevation and note where repointing may be needed to keep the building sound.

Older Yorkshire Dales properties often raise concerns about timber decay. Floor joists, ceiling timbers and roof rafters can be affected by wet rot or dry rot where moisture has found its way in over the years. Our inspectors examine accessible timbers for fungal growth, insect activity and structural deterioration. Windows and door frames in period homes also deserve close attention, because that is often where moisture shows first.

Properties close to the River Wharfe valley may face flood risk, so that needs a proper look during the survey. The rolling hills and gritstone geology generally give sound ground conditions, but homes in lower-lying spots near the river corridor may have flooded in the past. Our inspectors record any signs of previous water damage and can talk through flood resilience matters for the property.

Hazlewood with Storiths lies on the southern edge of the Yorkshire Dales National Park, in a landscape of rolling hills, wide heather moorland and the valley of the River Wharfe. The area has nine Grade II listed buildings, many dating from the 17th century or earlier, which reflects centuries of continuous habitation in this attractive part of North Yorkshire. Properties here are mostly built in stone with stone slate roofs, and rendered stone buildings add to the traditional look.

The local geology includes gritstone outcrops, which generally give good foundation conditions. Clay shrinkage and swelling is a minimal risk here, so subsidence linked to clay soil movement is less likely than in many other parts of England. Even so, properties near the River Wharfe do face possible fluvial flood concerns, and that deserves professional assessment during your survey. Our inspectors understand these environmental factors and the way they affect different homes across the parish.

Our inspectors know these local building methods and environmental conditions well. They understand the particular problems involved in maintaining historic stone buildings in the Yorkshire Dales, from roof slate deterioration to weather exposure on traditional lime mortar pointing. That local knowledge lets us give advice that reflects the property’s condition and the sort of ownership experience you can expect. We can also talk through typical maintenance costs for properties of this age and construction type, which helps with future planning.

The BD23 area covering Hazlewood and Storiths has seen very little new build development, so most available properties are traditionally constructed. That makes the detailed assessment from a RICS Level 3 Survey especially valuable. Be it a historic farmhouse, a converted barn or a traditional cottage, our inspectors bring the local knowledge needed to identify the issues that matter in this area.