Do I need a Level 2 Home Survey or a Level 3 Building Survey in Blackpool?
The type of survey you require depends entirely on the age, size, and general condition of the property you are purchasing. Use the comparison below to determine which RICS inspection is right for your transaction:
Inspection Detail | RICS Level 2 Home Survey (formerly HomeBuyer Report) | RICS Level 3 Home Survey (formerly Full Structural Survey) |
|---|---|---|
Inspection Best Suited For | RICS Level 2 Home Survey Conventional, modern properties (built post-1990) of standard construction. | RICS Level 3 Home Survey Older, historic, or large properties, or those of non-standard construction. |
Inspection Property Condition | RICS Level 2 Home Survey Homes appearing to be in a reasonable, well-maintained state. | RICS Level 3 Home Survey Homes that are noticeably dilapidated or have been extensively altered. |
Inspection Depth of Inspection | RICS Level 2 Home Survey Surface-level visual inspection of accessible areas to highlight major faults. | RICS Level 3 Home Survey In-depth analysis of the property's structure, fabric, and integrity. |
Inspection Future Plans | RICS Level 2 Home Survey Buyers looking for a general overview before moving in. | RICS Level 3 Home Survey Buyers planning significant structural renovations or extensions. |
Inspection Advice Provided | RICS Level 2 Home Survey Highlights urgent defects that may affect the property's value. | RICS Level 3 Home Survey Detailed advice on defects, repair options, and ongoing maintenance consequences. |
Local Property Characteristics in Blackpool
Properties built in this area have certain standard characteristics which dictate what type of survey you'll need for your property. Here is a table of different factors that could affect your property and require further investigation by your RICS surveyor:
Characteristic/Risk | Details |
|---|---|
Japanese Knotweed Risk: | Check the Environet heatmap to confirm. Source: Environment Agency & Environet UK Heatmap Data |
Listed Buildings: (Such as Grade I, Grade II*, and Grade II in Blackpool) | There are over 20 listed buildings in the local area. These will always require a Level 3 Home Survey, provided by a surveyor with the requisite experience. We have an experienced RICS surveyor who can help in the local area. Note: Estimated based on the location's common property types and proximity from the data at Historic England. Your actual property may have a different characteristic or risk. Source: Historic England |
Ground Stability: Flags a risk for subsidence. | This area is generally considered low risk for ground stability issues. Source: The British Geological Survey (BGS) |
Blackpool Specific Property Info |
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Expert Tip: Review Unapproved Extensions and Alterations
Many homes in Blackpool have undergone undocumented extensions, loft conversions, or structural alterations over the years which may lack proper building control sign-off.
Your RICS surveyor will highlight any structural irregularities or removed chimney breasts, and your conveyancer will request the necessary completion certificates from the local authority.
Local Building Survey Blackpool
Our Building Surveyors specialise in the local area and have completed house surveys in Lancaster, Preston, Blackburn, Southport, Wigan, Liverpool and St Helens.
We work with specialist RICS Building Surveyors to undertake Home Buyers Surveys in Blackpool. Whether you are buying an old run down 'doer upper' or standard construction freehold house, our RICS surveyors have seen them all.
With a vast number of years of experience completing building surveys on properties in Blackpool we'll be able to give you the detailed Blackpool HomeBuyers report that you will need to know and what defects there are with your property.
Defects flagged in a Blackpool Home Buyers Survey
Local Tip: Subsidence
The Local Authority Property Conveyancing Search is key in identifying any land charges which might affect a property you're considering buying. A recent such report bought for a property in Queens Promenade, Bispham, Blackpool FY2 9LW revealed that while there were no planning entries lodged with the local council since August 1977, the dwelling was listed as being within an area that would be affected by the Blackpool Tramway Extension.
This finding might in the short term mean disruption due to construction works (noise, diversions etc.) however in the medium term These kinds of developments can often encourage an uplift in local property prices. Your conveyancing solicitor once provided with information of this nature can make further enquiries to satisfy any concerns you might have.
Local Tip: Damp
Your Environmental Search Report is excellent for summarising whether a property you're considering buying might be affected by a variety of environmental issues including contaminated land, flooding, ground stability and radon among other matters.
A 'live' report bought for a property a client was considering buying in Marsden Road Blackpool FY4 3DT revealed, for example, that although there were no ground stability and radon issues known about which might affect the dwelling, there was a risk of coastal flooding within 25m and risk of surface water flooding within 25 - 250m. there were potentially contaminative activities listed as being within 250 - 500m of the property and additionally, the property was within 4km of an area that had been offered for licensing for the onshore exploration of oil and gas.
These kind of findings can, at the very least, have implications for your buildings insurance and your conveyancing solicitor can raise further enquiries about these matters to satisfy any further queries you might have.
Local Tip: Asbestos
Parish church claims on parishioners for chancel repair, where these occur, can be fairly costly, with individual households possibly being legally required to pay £1,000s.
Buying a chancel repair indemnity insurance policy for a property you're looking to buy is an easy and efficient way of protecting yourself against this possible eventuality and among many others, one such policy was taken out for a property in Highgate Avenue, Fulwood, Preston PR2 8LL, in the same broad locale as Blackpool. This policy generally costs around £20 to buy and normally covers the policy holder for claims to the limit of £1 million.
Why Choose SAM Conveyancing for your Home Survey?
In helping over 15,339 survey clients since 2014, we've learned a lot about surveys in Blackpool using our panel of over 100 Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS). Your Blackpool surveyor will be local to your property, so whether you're worried about subsidence, damp, infestations, extensions, or even just for peace of mind, we've got you covered.
Our HomeBuyers Survey costs are fixed and competitive, as you'll see from all our Excellent reviews on Trustpilot. This means you don't have to break the bank to get a full health check on your new home. Get a Home Buyer Survey Quote today, or if you're not sure which survey to choose and want to know the difference between a Level 2 Home Survey and a Level 3 Building Survey, then give us a cal,l and we'll happily tell you what you need - 0161 850 7159 (local call charges apply).
What defects are flagged in a Homebuyer's Survey?
Cracks are inspected and in the report will confirm if you need a structural engineer as there are signs of historical or current movement.
The RICS surveyor will use a moisture meter in the rooms and report any high levels along with any mould or damp causing damage to the walls/windows.
The wooden door frames and windows will be inspected for rotting and wood worm.
The surveyor looks for signs of infestations through droppings, damage to piping/flooring and in some cases finding where the nest is.
The surveyor will check the grounds of the property and, where possible, check over the fences to neighbouring plots to identify if there is a risk of Japanese knotweed.
The surveyor lifts up accessible man hole covers to check if the drains are blocked. You may need to get your drains inspected with CCTV.
The surveyor will enter into the roof/loft space if there is a safe and accessible ladder. They'll look for insulation, signs of leaking and and damage.
Download an Example Level 2 and Level 3 Home Survey
Property Survey FAQs for Blackpool
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RICS Level 2 Home Survey with a Valuation
A RICS Level 2 Home Survey, which used to be called the HomeBuyer Report or a Home Buyer Survey, is generally suitable for:
- Bungalows
- Flats
- Standard construction houses
The majority of Blackpool's leasehold flats require only a RICS HomeBuyer Report but for any Victorian conversions, a Building Survey may well be required.
RICS Level 3 Building Survey
A Level 3 Home Survey, also known as a Building Survey or a full structural, is the most comprehensive visual inspection a RICS surveyor can provide on a property in Blackpool. It is suitable for:
- complex buildings, for example those that have been extensively extended and altered
- unique or older historic properties
- properties in poor condition; or
- those where the client is planning to carry out extensive repair and refurbishment work.
Speak to one of our team on 0161 850 7159 to find out if your property suits a RICS Building Survey, or read our article Which Home Buyers Survey suits your property .
