Do I need a Level 2 Home Survey or a Level 3 Building Survey in Lancaster?
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 Lancaster
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 Lancaster) | 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) |
Lancaster Specific Property Info |
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Expert Tip: Review Unapproved Extensions and Alterations
Many homes in Lancaster 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 Lancaster
Our Building Surveyors specialise in the local area and have completed house surveys in Camforth, Hornby, Bailrigg, Heysham, Tarnbrook, Morecambe and Garstang.
We work with specialist RICS Building Surveyors to undertake Home Buyers Surveys in Lancaster. 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 Lancaster we'll be able to give you the detailed Lancaster HomeBuyers report that you will need to know and what defects there are with your property.
Defects flagged in a Lancaster Home Buyers Survey
Local Tip: Subsidence
If you're considering buying a property in Lancaster's locale, getting an Environmental Search Report, one of the main property conveyancing searches, is an important way to find out if there are environmental issues which might affect your enjoyment of the dwelling.
A recent such report, bought for a property in Green Close, Hornby, Lancaster LA2 8JN revealed the following, among other matters:
- A surface water flooding risk within 25 metres;
- Existing or proposed wind farms or wind turbines within 4km; and
- A coal mining affected area within 25 metres
Flooding risks often translate into larger insurance premiums (as well as the risk of real upheaval from an actual flooding event); coal mining areas often have issues regarding ground stability and wind farms can detract from the enjoyment of a property because of their visual impact and potential for noise pollution.
Local Tip: Damp
Some properties in and around Lancaster might be affected by previous coal mining works because this mining activity used to be widespread in the area.
If you're looking to buy a property in the area using a mortgage, your lender might make it a condition of any loan that you purchase a Coal Mining Search to help establish whether the dwelling is likely to be affected by such historic mining activity.
Local Tip: Asbestos
According to the UK Health Security Agency, Lancaster is in a raised Radon area, with properties built there having a higher probability than average of experiencing ground radon emissions.
Properties built in streets such as Blades Street and Lindow Square are built on ground which has a maximum radon potential of 5 - 10%, which means that they have a higher than normal chance of being affected by radon emissions.
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 Lancaster using our panel of over 100 Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS). Your Lancaster 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 Lancaster
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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 Lancaster'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 Lancaster. 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 .
