Expert Tip: Check for Ground Instability and Subsidence
With a flagged risk for ground instability in West Norwood, such as shrink-swell clay, the property's foundations are more susceptible to seasonal movement and structural cracking.
Your RICS surveyor will thoroughly inspect the load-bearing walls for signs of subsidence, and this risk will be further detailed in your local environmental searches.
Chartered Surveyor, RICS Registered Valuer
Local Property Characteristics in West Norwood
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: | Properties in the area have a high-risk for having Japanese Knotweed. Your RICS surveyor should inspect your property and neighbouring property's grounds for any signs of the invasive plant. Read more: Buying a House with Japanese Knotweed. Source: Environment Agency & Environet UK Heatmap Data |
Listed Buildings: (Such as Grade I, Grade II*, and Grade II in West Norwood) | West Norwood has 115 listed buildings registered at Historic England. 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. Read more: Buying a Grade 2 Listed House. |
Ground Stability: Flags a risk for subsidence. | Properties in this location are flagged as having a high risk of ground instability (such as subsidence or shrink-swell clay). Your solicitor will recommend a comprehensive environmental and ground stability search, and you should obtain a RICS Home Survey to inspect the physical construction of the property. Read more: What is Subsidence? Source: The British Geological Survey (BGS) |
West Norwood Specific Property Info |
|
Local Building Surveyor in and around West Norwood
Our Building Surveyors specialise in the local area and have completed house surveys in Tulse Hill, Herne Hill, Dulwich, Upper Norwood, and Streatham. We also service the wider area of Greater London.
We work with specialist RICS Building Surveyors to undertake Home Buyers Surveys in West Norwood. 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 West Norwood, we'll be able to give you the detailed West Norwood HomeBuyers report that you will need to know and what defects there are with your property.
Why Choose SAM Conveyancing for your Home Survey?
In helping over 17,000 clients with their home surveys since 2014, we've learned a lot about surveys in West Norwood through our panel of over 100 Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) members. Your surveyor will have detailed local knowledge of properties in West Norwood, 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. Give us a call on 0207 112 5388, and we'll happily help you.
How to book your survey
My team makes it super easy to book a survey, all you need to do is:
- Speak to one of our survey specialists and we'll tell you the best type of survey for your specific property. You can do this by phone or email.
- You get an instant fixed fee quote, and if you like it, you just give us the go-ahead.
- We organise the access with the agent or vendor for the next available day.
- Survey takes place, and you get a call on the day and find out if there are any major issues.
- Your report is typed up and emailed to you within 5 working days.
Why don't you click below to check our panel's next availability in West Norwood?
CEO of SAM Conveyancing
Do I need a Level 2 Home Survey or a Level 3 Building Survey in West Norwood?
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. |
Read more: What Is The Difference Between Level 2 and Level 3 Survey?
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 West Norwood
- online checklists
- videos
- free downloads
- useful tips
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; or
- Standard construction houses
The majority of West Norwood'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 West Norwood. It is suitable for:
- complex buildings, for example, those that have been extensively extended and altered;
- unique or older historic properties such as a Georgian, Victorian, or Edwardian;
- properties in poor condition; or
- those where the client is planning to carry out extensive repair and refurbishment work.
