Expert residential survey and defect advice
RICS Accredited Residential SurveysProfessional, detailed and reliable residential surveys and defect advice. Serving areas across South East London, Surrey, West Kent and surrounding locations. Whether you are buying a property, maintaining your home or concerned about a specific defect, we provide clear, practical guidance to help you understand the issues, consider the risks and decide on the next steps with confidence.
Detailed inspections, practical advice and clear next steps
Our inspections are carried out carefully and thoroughly, focusing on the condition of the property and any particular concerns identified as part of the instruction. We explain our findings in plain English, highlight significant issues and provide practical recommendations, helping you make informed decisions with confidence. Where relevant, clear advice and timely communication can also support a smoother property transaction.
Detailed, methodical inspections
Careful inspections of accessible areas, focused on identifying significant defects, maintenance issues and matters that may require further investigation or specialist advice.
Same-day surveyor call
Every service includes a same-day post-inspection phone call with your surveyor, giving you the opportunity to discuss the main findings, ask questions and understand the next steps clearly.
Clear reports with practical guidance
Plain-English reporting with clear condition ratings, practical recommendations and no unnecessary jargon. Level 3 Surveys also include estimated cost guidance for identified repairs over £1,000.
Surveys for every situation
Level 2 Survey
A clear, mid-level RICS Home Survey for conventional houses, flats and bungalows of standard construction, in reasonable condition and without significant alterations. It is generally best suited to more modern properties and provides buyers with professional advice before purchase. The report assesses the overall condition of the property, highlights significant defects and uses clear condition ratings to show where repairs, replacement, further investigation or ongoing maintenance may be required. Where relevant, it also identifies matters that should be referred to your legal adviser before purchase.
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Level 3 Survey
This is the most detailed type of RICS home survey and is often still referred to as a Building Survey. It is suitable for older, larger, altered, extended or poorly maintained properties, or where significant works are planned. This detailed inspection and report provides professional advice on the condition of the property, significant defects, likely causes, repairs, future maintenance, potential risks and matters that should be referred to your legal adviser before purchase. The report will also include estimated cost guidance for identified repairs over £1,000, helping you make informed decisions before proceeding or when planning repairs, maintenance or improvements.
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Roof Survey
A stand-alone visual inspection of accessible roof coverings, chimneys, flashings, parapets, roof lights, rainwater goods and associated high-level elements, where visible and safely accessible. This focused report provides professional advice on the general condition of the roof, identifies significant visible defects, and advises whether repair, maintenance, further investigation or specialist advice is required.
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Single Defect Report
A focused inspection and report on one specific defect, issue or area of concern, such as damp staining, cracking, a roof leak, defective rainwater goods, timber decay, condensation, mould or localised external defects. The report comments on the apparent nature, likely significance and possible cause of the issue, and advises whether repair, maintenance, further investigation or specialist advice is required.
More about the Single Defect ReportSurvey advice with practical insight
Sterling Chase Surveys is operated by Stuart Pinchin DipRSV AssocRICS, an experienced residential surveyor with an extensive hands-on background in construction and building pathology. This practical experience provides additional insight into how buildings are constructed, altered, maintained and repaired, helping with the identification of defects, an understanding of how they may have developed and a clear explanation of their likely significance. This broader knowledge also supports practical advice on repairs, future maintenance and any further steps that may be required.
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