Irlam and Cadishead sit between the Manchester Ship Canal, the Mersey and the peat of Chat Moss. Their homes grew around the steelworks and soap works, with terraces, interwar semis and newer estates. A RICS survey explains how your chosen house is standing up.
Irlam changed from a farming village once the Ship Canal opened and industry followed, including a large steelworks and the CWS soap works. Rows of brick terraces were built for workers, then interwar and post-war semis and council homes, and more recent estates on former industrial land. The ground is flat and low, with the Mersey and the canal to the south and the soft peat of Chat Moss to the north.
Low, soft ground can mean more settlement in some homes, and nearby watercourses make it sensible to check the government long term flood risk service for your address. The surveyor looks for signs of movement and damp, considers how drives, paths and outbuildings have settled, and notes where newer estates were built on reclaimed land so that your solicitor can check the relevant searches and warranties.
Near the edges of Chat Moss, homes can settle more than on firmer ground. The surveyor looks for sloping floors, cracked plaster and distorted door frames, and explains whether any movement appears long-standing.
On flat, low-lying land, the surveyor pays close attention to the base of walls, airbricks, garden levels and timber floors, as high ground levels or blocked ventilation can lead to damp and decay.
Workers’ terraces close to the old steelworks often have small rear yards, replaced roofs and later kitchen extensions. The surveyor checks roof lines, rear additions and any signs of poorly finished alterations.
Terraces, semis and modern homes in Irlam and Cadishead that look to be in fair condition generally need no more than a Level 2 Homebuyer Report. Where a house shows noticeable settlement, damp problems or major alterations, step up to a Level 3 Building Survey, which goes further into the structure. RICS Red Book valuations help with probate, separation and shared ownership staircasing. Compare every survey we offer.
Clear prices, plain-English digital reports and a call afterwards to talk through anything that matters. If a simpler survey will do the job, we’ll tell you.
The right choice for most buyers: homes built in roughly the last 50 years and in reasonable condition. Condition ratings throughout, advice on defects and repairs, and an optional valuation.
About the Level 2 →For older, larger or unusual properties, listed buildings, conservation areas, or where you plan to extend or convert. Detailed analysis of defects, their likely causes and what to do next.
About the Level 3 →Independent RICS Red Book valuations for sale and purchase, probate and inheritance, matrimonial and asset splitting, shared ownership and Help to Buy loan redemption.
About valuations →Also available: Level 1 condition reports, EPCs from £90 (which we can produce on the same visit as your survey) and stock condition surveys for landlords.
No jargon and no waiting around, just a clear timeline from booking to your digital report landing in your inbox.
Tell us about the property and we’ll advise which survey is right for you and give you a clear quote, usually within the hour.
A RICS Registered Surveyor visits the property and carries out a thorough assessment, inside and out.
Your digital report arrives promptly, written in plain English, with photographs and condition ratings throughout.
Questions about a finding? Call or email us directly. We’ll talk you through it until you feel confident to proceed.
“We thankfully avoided proceeding with a house purchase after Sean spotted major red flags with his keen eye for detail in the initial survey. We now have a new house to move into after a second survey from Sean and thoroughly trust his judgement!”
“Couldn’t recommend Trust Surveyors enough. Kept me up to date, easily available to chat … ultimately the survey spotted something that could have caused me a lot of issues further down the line. Massive thank you to Trust Surveyors.”
“Very prompt initial response from my first enquiry and level 3 survey undertaken a few days later. Really thorough report received and a follow-up telephone call to go through the main issues, put them in to context and answer questions. Excellent, clear & prompt communication throughout. Highly recommend.”
We’re based in Liverpool and survey homes right across the North West. These are the areas closest to Irlam.
Peat and soft ground near the moss can lead to more settlement in some properties. The surveyor looks for signs of movement and explains whether it appears historic and stable or would benefit from further investigation by a structural engineer.
Start with the government long term flood risk service, which lets you look up the specific address and see the assessed risk from rivers, the sea and surface water. During the inspection the surveyor notes any visible signs of past water ingress, and your solicitor and insurer can then confirm whether flood cover or searches raise anything for that home.
For a newer home in clearly good condition, a Level 1 Condition Report may be all you need, as it rates the main parts of the house and flags anything urgent. If you would like more explanation of any defects, plus advice on repairs and maintenance, a Level 2 Homebuyer Report goes further and can include a valuation.
Just the address, the agent’s details and roughly when you need the report. We’ll suggest the right level of survey, confirm the price and sort out access with the agent or vendor.
Call or send the address and we’ll recommend the right survey and give you a clear quote.