Chartered Surveyors in Lewisham
Lewisham’s housing tells the story of London’s growth and rebuilding. Long streets of Victorian and Edwardian terraces make up much of the borough; extensive post-war and former local-authority estates — some of non-traditional or system-built construction — reflect the rebuilding after wartime damage; and major town-centre regeneration has added a wave of modern flats and new-build. Knowing which era and construction a home belongs to is central to buying well here.
As chartered surveyors in Lewisham, we start by establishing what a home is actually built of. The Victorian and Edwardian terraces bring solid brick walls, ageing slate roofs, sash windows, and the damp, pointing and timber issues that come with age, often with extensions and flat conversions to check. Among the post-war and ex-local-authority stock, some homes are of non-traditional construction, which can be perfectly sound but can also affect mortgageability and insurance, so we identify the type early. The newer flats around the town centre call for attention to build quality, cladding, common parts and service charges.
For a modern flat or home in good order, a Level 2 (RICS Home Survey) is usually proportionate. For any home built in the 1930s or earlier — Lewisham’s Victorian and Edwardian terraces — anything non-traditional or ex-local-authority, or a property that has been altered or converted, a Level 3 (Building Survey) gives you the deeper inspection and the plain-English advice on repairs and mortgageability this mixed stock so often needs. If you’re buying to a mortgage or need a figure for probate, matrimonial or Help to Buy purposes, our RICS Registered Valuer can provide a Red Book valuation.
Beyond survey and valuation work, we also prepare Schedules of Condition for landlords and tenants agreeing a property or commercial unit’s condition before a lease begins, advise on dilapidations at lease end, and act as expert witness, with reports prepared in accordance with CPR Part 35 for civil proceedings and the Family Procedure Rules where a matter falls within the family courts. Our Red Book valuations also cover Help to Buy and shared ownership staircasing and capital gains tax, in addition to the purchase, probate, matrimonial and lease extension work mentioned above — services relevant across Lewisham and the surrounding area, including Catford, Brockley, Hither Green and Blackheath.
We cover Lewisham and the surrounding area, including Catford, Brockley, Hither Green and Blackheath, with independent, RICS-regulated advice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a Level 2 or Level 3 survey for a Victorian terrace in Lewisham?
For any Lewisham home built in the 1930s or earlier — its Victorian and Edwardian terraces especially — we’d recommend a Level 3 Building Survey. Solid-walled, often-altered period homes reward the deeper inspection and its costed advice. A Level 2 Home Survey suits only a genuinely modern home in good order.
How do I know if a Lewisham house or flat is non-standard construction?
Some post-war and ex-local-authority homes are of non-traditional or system-built construction, which isn’t always obvious from the street. A Level 3 Building Survey identifies the likely construction type and explains what it means for repairs, mortgageability and insurance.
I’m buying a flat in a converted house — what should the survey cover?
We check the quality of the conversion, fire separation, damp, and the condition of the whole building and roof — not just your flat — and on leasehold we flag the lease, service-charge and major-works questions for your solicitor.
Do you cover Catford, Brockley and Hither Green too?
Yes. We survey across Lewisham and the surrounding area, including Catford, Brockley, Hither Green and Blackheath, matching the inspection to each property.
Buying in Lewisham, Catford, Brockley or Hither Green? Get an independent RICS surveyor’s view before you commit. Contact Gibsons Surveyors for advice on the right survey level and a fast, no-obligation quote.