RICS Level 3 Building Survey Sturry

A RICS Level 3 Building Survey is the top tier of inspection we offer, and it is especially useful for older homes, poorer condition properties, or unusual builds. Unlike the more basic Level 2 survey, it looks across all accessible parts of the property, roof space, sub-floor areas, walls, floors and ceilings. Our surveyors inspect visually, then set out defects, what is likely causing them, and the repairs that should follow.

The report does more than list faults. It explains how serious each issue is, groups them by urgency and flags likely cost implications. That gives you firmer ground for negotiation, whether you ask for works before completion or trim your offer to reflect the repair bill. In Sturry, where many homes are of traditional brick construction typical of Kent, that extra detail matters.

Our surveyors also look for damp, rot, timber decay and structural movement. Roof covering, flashing and chimneys get checked, along with gutters, drainage, windows, doors and joinery. We also look at insulation and ventilation, two areas that matter more and more to buyers who are watching energy use and running costs.

One of the main strengths of the Level 3 survey is the repair cost guidance included in the report. Our surveyors set out itemised estimates for recommended works and split them by priority. That helps with budgeting and gives you something solid to use in price talks with the seller. For properties in Sturry, where prices have softened from the 2023 peak, those figures can be particularly useful when weighing up whether the asking price matches the home's condition.

• Complete structural inspection
• Damp and rot assessment
• Roof and chimney evaluation
• Electrical and plumbing visible inspection
• Thermal efficiency comments
• Detailed repair cost estimates

Across Sturry, and in Kent more broadly, our RICS Level 3 surveys often turn up the same familiar problems. Much of the housing stock is older, including Victorian and Edwardian homes in the village centre, so ageing roof structures often need repair or renewal. Slate and tile roofs from the early 1900s may be nearing the end of their serviceable life, and our surveyors look closely at them to judge how much life is left and whether anything needs attention now.

Damp penetration comes up often too, especially in period houses with solid walls rather than modern cavity wall construction. Without cavity wall insulation, they are more vulnerable to penetrating damp, particularly during Kent's wet winters. Our surveyors use thermal imaging and moisture meters to pinpoint damp and check whether ventilation is doing its job. Rising damp also turns up in older homes where the original damp proof course has failed or was never there in the first place.

Structural movement is not always a major problem, but it is worth recording and keeping an eye on. Kent's clay soils can shrink and swell through dry and wet spells, which may affect foundations over time. Our surveyors inspect walls, ceilings and external brickwork for cracking or movement that could point to foundation issues. Anything of concern is photographed and clearly set out, with recommendations for further investigation if needed. Because the Level 3 survey goes into this level of detail, problems are picked up early and you can make a better call on the purchase.

Your RICS Level 3 Building Survey report is meant to be practical as well as clear. It opens with an executive summary that brings out the key findings and any urgent matters needing immediate attention. After that come detailed sections on each part of the property, from the roof right down to the foundations. Clear headings and subheadings make it easy to jump straight to the sections that matter most.

Each defect is put into plain English, with an explanation of what it is, why it has appeared, and what it means for the property's condition and your intended use. Our surveyors draw on long experience to separate minor cosmetic issues from serious structural problems that could affect safety or value. If we think specialist investigation is needed, for example because of suspected subsidence or significant timber decay, that is flagged clearly in the report.

The report also includes repair and maintenance recommendations, ordered by urgency. Items that need immediate attention are set apart from those that can be tackled later. For properties in Sturry, where clay soils similar to those found throughout Kent can cause shrink-swell movement in foundations, our surveyors keep a close eye on signs of subsidence or settlement that may need further investigation or specialist input. The cost guidance helps you budget sensibly for any work that comes up.

We know buying a property is a major financial step, so our reports are written to help you go ahead with more confidence, negotiate properly, or decide to walk away if the problems uncovered are more than you want to take on or pay for. The report remains yours, and you can share it with solicitors, mortgage lenders or contractors whenever it helps with renovation plans.