Guides and advice

Home Surveys in Dorset

We carry out RICS Home Surveys across Dorset, from Lyme Regis and Bridport in the west to Poole, Bournemouth and Christchurch in the east. West Dorset is less than an hour from our base near Exeter.

Where we survey

We cover Lyme Regis, Charmouth, Bridport, Beaminster, Dorchester, Weymouth, Portland, Sherborne, Sturminster Newton, Gillingham, Shaftesbury, Blandford Forum, Wimborne Minster, Ferndown, Wareham, Swanage, Poole, Bournemouth and Christchurch, and the villages in between.

Homes we see in Dorset

Thatched cottages and listed buildings across rural Dorset, often built of local stone, flint or cob. These need a Level 3 survey.
Stone homes built of Purbeck stone around Swanage and Wareham, Portland stone around Weymouth and Portland, and Ham stone around Sherborne.
Coastal homes along the Jurassic Coast, where exposure is severe and, in places such as Lyme Regis and West Bay, land stability needs careful checking.
Flats and apartments in Poole and Bournemouth, where the lease, the service charge and the condition of shared parts matter as much as the flat itself.
Modern estates around Dorchester, including Poundbury, and around Weymouth and Gillingham. A traditionally built home under 50 years old that has not been extended usually needs a Level 2 survey.

Local points we look out for

Coastal erosion and landslip risk, flood risk along river valleys, and planning restrictions on listed and conservation area properties are common points. We flag anything your solicitor should look at before you exchange.

Which survey level is right?

We follow the RICS Home Survey Standard and recommend the level that fits the property, not the one that costs most.

Level 1 Condition Report: only for a new-build home that has not been altered.
Level 2 HomeBuyer Survey: for a traditionally built home under 50 years old that has not been extended. It rates the condition of each part of the property and gives advice on repairs and maintenance. A market valuation and rebuild cost can be added.
Level 3 Building Survey: for homes 50 years old or more, and for any home that has been extended or altered, is of non-traditional construction, or is listed, thatched or unusual. It describes construction and defects in full, with likely causes, options and outline repair costs.

Not sure? Use the helper on our RICS Home Surveys page, or call us on 01392 933392 and we will tell you honestly.

What you get

An inspection by a RICS regulated chartered surveyor from ClystCore, not a subcontracted panel surveyor.
A report written in plain English, with the important points first.
Drone and thermal imaging where they help, for roofs, chimneys and hidden damp.
A call from your surveyor once the report is ready, to talk it through and answer your questions.
Points for your solicitor to check, such as alterations, planning and building regulations.

Other areas we cover

Get a survey quote

Tell us the address, the type of property and when you need the report. Request a quote online, email info@clystcore.com or call us on 01392 933392.

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