Fast turnaround
The reports are a fast turnaround while still being accurate, so you'll have everything you need in no time.
RICS qualified
You can trust our reports as they are all regulated by RICS, assuring standards and professional guidance.
Traffic-light ratings
Each report comes with a handy traffic-light system to illustrate all aspects of the property clearly.
Cornwall's property market
Cornwall's housing stock ranges from granite cottages and Georgian townhouses in Truro to Victorian terraces in St Austell and the mining towns of Camborne and Redruth, with coastal cottages throughout the fishing villages and rural farmhouses across the wider county.
Which survey do you need in Cornwall?
Property surveys in Cornwall - what to look out for
Mundic block in concrete properties built between 1900 and 1960
Mundic is a Cornwall and west Devon term for concrete blocks made using waste rock from former mining and quarrying activity, widely used in construction between 1900 and 1960. The chemical content of this waste aggregate reacts with the concrete over time, weakening and in severe cases breaking down its structural integrity, and most mortgage lenders will require a Mundic test, properly known as a Concrete Screening Assessment, before lending on a property of this age and construction type. A Level 3 survey is the appropriate choice for any concrete-built property from this period, and the surveyor will advise whether a specialist Mundic test is also recommended.
Tin mining searches and ground subsidence
Cornwall is the most extensively mined county in the UK for metal deposits, with centuries of tin, copper and other metal ore extraction leaving workings beneath large parts of the county. A tin mining search through your solicitor checks available historical records for workings that could affect ground stability at a specific address, since current and former mine workings can pose a subsidence risk that a visual inspection alone cannot detect. Structural cracks or uneven floors in any property in a former mining area should prompt a Level 3 survey for further assessment.
China clay industry legacy around St Austell
The area around St Austell has been shaped by more than two centuries of china clay extraction, leaving distinctive white spoil heaps often referred to locally as the Cornish Alps, along with worked-out pits and processing sites throughout the surrounding villages. Properties on or near former clay works can be affected by ground conditions linked to historic extraction, and buyers should ask their solicitor about any environmental search findings relevant to the site's industrial history. A Level 3 survey is advisable for any property close to former clay working land.
Radon risk in granite areas
Granite bedrock underlies large parts of Cornwall, particularly around the high ground of Bodmin Moor and the granite uplands further west, and these areas have an elevated radon gas risk compared to much of the rest of England. Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that can accumulate in poorly ventilated ground floor spaces, and the UK Health Security Agency publishes maps identifying higher-risk areas. A radon test is a straightforward and inexpensive way to check a specific property if it falls within a known higher-risk zone.
Coastal erosion and cliff stability
Cornwall's extensive Atlantic coastline includes long stretches of cliff that have a documented history of erosion and occasional slips, particularly along the more exposed north coast. Properties on or near clifftop locations should be checked against Cornwall Council's coastal erosion mapping, and a surveyor will note any visible signs of ground movement near the property boundary. This risk is distinct from the inland subsidence linked to former mining activity.
Granite construction and traditional cottages
Many of Cornwall's older cottages and farmhouses are built from local granite, a hard and durable material that nonetheless requires specific repair techniques when repointing or addressing damp. Modern cement-based repairs applied to granite walls can trap damp rather than allowing the wall to breathe, and incompatible repairs are a common finding in older Cornish properties. A Level 3 survey will assess whether previous repair work used appropriate materials for the wall construction.
Quick and thorough
Of the companies we contacted this one gave us the earliest date for completion of the Level2 House Survey we wanted. We had the report on the following day by email. It was clear and comprehensive giving us a good idea of what we would be dealing with should we continue with the buying process. Our Estate Agent was also impressed with the survey.
Arrange your Cornwall survey with Surveyor Local
Get an online quote or call now on to talk to our friendly team.
Frequently asked questions about property surveys in Cornwall
Is a survey a legal requirement?
No. There is no legal requirement in England or Wales for a buyer to commission a survey before purchasing a property. However, it is strongly recommended. A mortgage valuation arranged by your lender only confirms the property is worth what you are borrowing. It does not assess the building's condition. Without an independent survey, structural problems, damp, roof defects and other costly issues can go undetected until after completion.
What is the difference between a mortgage valuation and a survey?
A mortgage valuation is arranged by your lender to confirm the property is suitable security for the loan. It is not a structural inspection and will not flag defects. An independent RICS survey, whether Level 2 or Level 3, is commissioned by you as the buyer and assesses the actual condition of the building, giving you the information you need before committing to the purchase.
Can I use survey findings to negotiate the price?
Yes, and it is common practice. If a survey reveals significant defects such as roof repairs, damp, structural movement or outdated services, you can use the estimated cost of remedial works to renegotiate the agreed price with the seller. In some cases buyers also request that the seller carries out repairs before exchange. A survey report from a RICS qualified surveyor carries weight in these negotiations.
Do I need a survey if I am a cash buyer?
Yes. Without a mortgage lender commissioning their own valuation, there is no independent check on the property's condition at all. A survey protects your investment regardless of how you are funding the purchase, and cash buyers in particular have no fallback if serious defects emerge after completion.
How long does a property survey take?
A Level 2 survey typically takes two to three hours on site. A Level 3 survey on a larger or more complex property can take a full day. Reports are usually returned within five working days of the inspection.
What is Mundic and how does it affect buying a property in Cornwall?
Mundic refers to concrete blocks made using waste mining and quarrying material, widely used in Cornish construction between 1900 and 1960. Over time, the chemical content of this aggregate can react with the concrete and weaken it, and most mortgage lenders require a Mundic test, also known as a Concrete Screening Assessment, before lending on an affected property. If you are buying a concrete-built property from this period, your surveyor will advise whether a specialist Mundic test is recommended alongside your main survey.
Is a tin mining search necessary when buying in Cornwall?
Yes, it is advisable for most of the county given how extensively Cornwall has been mined for metal ores over the centuries. A tin mining search through your solicitor checks available historical records for workings that could affect ground stability at a specific address. This search is separate from your property survey, though a Level 3 survey is also recommended for any property showing signs of ground movement.
Is a Level 2 survey suitable for a granite cottage in Cornwall?
For most traditional granite cottages in Cornwall, a Level 3 building survey is the stronger choice. Granite requires specific repair techniques, and incompatible modern repairs using cement-based products are a common and costly issue in older Cornish properties. A Level 3 will assess whether previous repair work used appropriate materials and give a clearer picture of any remedial costs before you commit.