Guides and advice

Home Surveys in West Devon and Dartmoor

We carry out RICS Home Surveys across West Devon and Dartmoor, from Okehampton to Tavistock and the Tamar valley. Buying in this area often means older, rural and unusual buildings, and our reports explain clearly what that means for you.

Where we survey

We cover Tavistock, Okehampton, Hatherleigh, North Tawton, Lifton, Gunnislake, Yelverton, Horrabridge, Princetown, Chagford, Moretonhampstead, Ashburton, Buckfastleigh and the Dartmoor villages.

Homes we see in West Devon and Dartmoor

Granite and stone cottages and longhouses on and around Dartmoor. Thick solid walls, exposed sites and high rainfall mean damp, roof wear and failing pointing are common. These homes need a Level 3 survey.
Cob and thatched homes in villages such as Chagford, Moretonhampstead and North Tawton, where breathable materials and proper maintenance matter.
Victorian town houses in Tavistock and Okehampton, many built during the area's mining era.
Barn conversions and rural properties with land, outbuildings, private drainage and private water supplies.
Modern estates in Okehampton and Tavistock. 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

West Devon and the Tamar valley sit within an old mining area, and parts fall within the Cornwall and West Devon Mining Landscape World Heritage Site. Your solicitor may need a mining search. Homes in Dartmoor National Park face stricter planning rules, so we flag alterations that may need checking. Radon levels are higher in parts of Dartmoor, and we recommend testing where appropriate.

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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