Residential surveys tailored to your property needs
Whether you are buying, maintaining or investigating a property, Sterling Chase Surveys provides clear, practical advice to help you understand its condition and make informed decisions.
From RICS Home Surveys to focused roof and single defect inspections, each service is tailored to the property, your concerns and the level of detail required. Where safe, lawful, practical and permitted, high-level areas will also be inspected using a drone or 10m camera pole. Our reports provide clear explanations, practical recommendations and highlight matters that should be raised with your legal adviser before proceeding.
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.
Best for: Buyers who want a clear, practical overview of the condition of the property before purchase, without the extra level of detail provided by a Level 3 Survey.
What's included
- Visual inspection of the property and permanent outbuildings
- Roof-level inspection using a drone, or a 10m camera pole where restrictions prevent drone operation
- Assessment of the condition of the property and visible defects
- Identification of significant defects and urgent matters
- General advice on repairs, maintenance and further investigation
- Clear condition ratings for key building elements
- Relevant matters highlighted for your legal adviser to check before purchase
- Relevant desktop research and property-related checks
- Same-day post-survey call with your surveyor
- Clear written report supported by annotated photographs
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.
Best for: Older, period, listed, extended, altered, non-standard or more complex homes, and buyers wanting detailed advice on the condition of the property, repairs and likely higher-cost maintenance issues.
What's included
- Detailed inspection of accessible internal and external areas
- Roof-level inspection using a drone, or a 10m camera pole where restrictions prevent drone operation
- Thorough assessment of construction, condition and visible defects
- Identification of significant defects and urgent matters
- Comprehensive advice on likely causes, repairs and future maintenance
- Clear condition ratings for key building elements
- Estimated cost guidance for identified repairs expected to exceed £1,000
- Relevant matters highlighted for your legal adviser to check before purchase
- Commentary on energy efficiency and related matters
- Relevant desktop research and property-related checks
- Same-day post-survey call with your surveyor
- Clear, detailed written report supported by annotated photographs
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.
Best for: Homeowners and buyers with specific concerns about high-level roof-related elements.
What's included
- Roof-level inspection using a drone, or a 10m camera pole where restrictions are in place
- Inspection of accessible roof coverings and roof-level features
- Roof space inspection where safely accessible and relevant
- Practical advice on repairs, maintenance and next steps
- Same-day post-survey call with your surveyor
- Clear written report supported by annotated photographs
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.
Best for: Homeowners and buyers who have one specific concern and want clear, practical advice without commissioning a full property survey.
What's included
- Focused inspection of the agreed defect, issue or area
- Review of relevant surrounding or associated areas
- Assessment of the likely cause, extent and significance of the defect
- Practical advice on repairs, maintenance and next steps
- Same-day post-survey call with your surveyor
- Clear written report supported by annotated photographs
Ready to book your survey?
Get in touch for friendly, no-obligation advice or to request a quote for a survey or defect report.
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