Gawthorpe & Co Surveyors LTD

16/10/2026

🏡 What you see on a viewing vs. what a surveyor sees…

Fresh paint, nice furniture and a good tidy-up can make any house look great. But here's a look at some of the things I've found on recent surveys that buyers had no idea about 👇

📸 Swipe through the photos

From roofs and chimneys (thanks to the drone 🚁) to damp, timber issues and hidden defects, every survey tells a story.

Knowing about these BEFORE you exchange contracts gives you the chance to renegotiate, budget for repairs or walk away if you need to.

Buying soon? Give me a call for a free, no-obligation quote.

📞 0800 002 9968
🌐 gawthorpeandco.co.uk

14/10/2026

🏡 What we do at Gawthorpe & Co Surveyors

Buying a property is probably the biggest purchase you'll ever make. My job is to make sure you know exactly what you're buying before you commit.

I'm Michael, an independent, RICS Regulated surveyor based in Clitheroe, covering the Ribble Valley, Lancashire and West Yorkshire. Here's what I offer:

🏠 Level 2 HomeBuyer Reports:for conventional properties in reasonable condition
🏛️ Level 3 Building Surveys: a more in-depth inspection for older, larger or altered properties
🔍 Specific Defect Surveys: a closer look at a particular worry, like cracking, damp or roof problems
🏗️ Snagging Surveys: for new builds, because brand-new homes still have defects
🚁 Drone Surveys:a close inspection of roofs and chimney stacks that can't be seen safely from the ground

What you can expect:

✅ Every survey carried out personally by me

✅ Over 13 years' experience in property surveying

✅ Clear, plain-English reports that actually help you make an informed decision

✅ A follow-up call to talk through the findings

Not sure which survey you need? Just ask. I'm always happy to advise, with no obligation.

👇 Buying soon? Tag someone who's house-hunting, or drop a question below and I'll answer it.

📞 0800 002 9968
✉️ [email protected]
🌐 gawthorpeandco.co.uk

12/10/2026

🚁 What drones see that we can't

From the ground, a roof can look perfectly fine. Up close, it's often a different story.

A ladder only gets you so far, and scaffolding just to check a roof isn't realistic on a survey. That's where a drone comes in. It lets me get a true close inspection of the roof and chimney stack, without anyone climbing up there.

Here's what it can show that you'd never spot from the ground:

🔍 Slipped, cracked or missing slates and tiles
🔍 Failed pointing and loose flaunching on chimney stacks
🔍 Damaged or lifted flashing around chimneys and valleys
🔍 Moss build-up, blocked valleys and debris in gutters
🔍 Ridge tile problems and early signs of water getting in

Every image is high resolution, so you can see exactly what I'm seeing, and the findings go straight into your report with photographic evidence.

Why it matters: the roof and chimney are some of the most expensive parts of a home to repair. A drone survey gives you the full picture before you commit, so you can make a properly informed decision rather than finding out after the keys are in your hand.

Drone surveys are available as an additional service with a Level 2 HomeBuyer Report, a Level 3 Building Survey or a Specific Defect Survey.

👇 Have you ever had a roof problem turn up after buying? Tell me in the comments.

Gawthorpe & Co Surveyors are an independent RICS Regulated practice covering the Ribble Valley, Lancashire and West Yorkshire. Get in touch for a free, no-obligation quote.

📞 0800 002 9968
✉️ [email protected]
🌐 gawthorpeandco.co.uk

10/10/2026

⚽ What a morning! ⚽

We headed down to watch the team we sponsor, Fulledge Colts Whites Under 12s, and what a performance it was. A cracking 9-0 win!👏

The lads presented us with a training shirt and a match shirt, and we're really pleased with how the Gawthorpe & Co logo looks on the new kits. 🙌

Supporting local grassroots football means a lot to us, and we're proud to be backing such a talented young team. Well done to the players, coaches and parents for all their hard work. Here's to plenty more wins this season! 💪

Stephen Lane

09/10/2026

Should you get a survey? The deciding factors 🏡

Buying a home is likely the biggest purchase you'll make, yet many buyers aren't sure whether a survey is worth it. Here's what should guide the decision:

Age of the property. Older homes, especially pre-1950s stone and terraced properties common across the Ribble Valley and West Yorkshire, are more likely to hide issues with damp, roofs, timbers and drainage.

Construction type. Non-standard construction, timber frame, or listed buildings need a closer look than a typical modern brick home.

Visible concerns. Cracks, damp patches, sagging rooflines or recent redecoration in odd places are all reasons to look deeper.

Extensions and alterations. Has work been done? Was it done properly, and are there the right approvals?

Your plans. If you're thinking of renovating, a survey tells you what you're really taking on before you commit.

The mortgage valuation isn't a survey. It protects the lender, not you. It won't tell you about defects.

Negotiating power. Survey findings often lead to a price reduction that more than covers the survey cost.

Not sure which level you need? A Level 2 HomeBuyer Report suits most conventional homes in reasonable condition, while a Level 3 Building Survey is best for older, larger or altered properties.

Gawthorpe & Co Surveyors, independent, RICS Regulated, based in Clitheroe covering the Ribble Valley, Lancashire and West Yorkshire.

Helping you to make informed decisions prior to your commitment to purchase.

Purchasing a property? Call or email us below.

Call - 0800 002 9968
Email - [email protected]
Web - gawthorpeandco.co.uk

05/10/2026

🏡 Buying a property in the Ribble Valley, Lancashire or West Yorkshire?

Don't forget that a survey can highlight things you won't spot on your viewings, which could save you £1000s.

On a viewing you see the kitchen, the garden and the view. You don't see:

🔍 What's going on in the loft
🔍 Damp hiding behind fresh paint
🔍 A chimney stack or roof in need of repair
🔍 Cracks, timber defects and problems with the drainage

Your survey makes sure you do, before you've committed. Once you've exchanged contracts, any repair bill is yours.

✅ Independent and RICS regulated
✅ Every survey carried out personally by me
✅ Clear, plain-English reports
✅ Drone surveys available for hard-to-reach roofs

I'm Michael, Director of Gawthorpe & Co Surveyors Ltd. Get in touch for a free, no-obligation quote.

👇 Tag someone who's house-hunting right now

📞 0800 002 9968
✉️ [email protected]
🌐 gawthorpeandco.co.uk

02/10/2026

Another 5-star review! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Feedback like this is exactly why we do what we do:

“Michael helped us very recently with a survey for a potential house purchase - his knowledge was invaluable and helped us to avoid some costly mistakes. Would highly recommend!!"

Buying a home is one of the biggest financial decisions you'll ever make. A good survey isn't just a box to tick. It's about giving you the full picture before you commit to purchase, so there are no nasty surprises after you've got the keys.

A huge thank you to our clients for taking the time to leave such kind words. We wish you all the best with your next steps! 🏡

Thinking of buying in the Ribble Valley, Lancashire or West Yorkshire? We offer RICS Level 2 HomeBuyer Reports, Level 3 Building Surveys and more.

📞 0800 002 9968
📧 [email protected]
🌐 gawthorpeandco.co.uk

RICS surveyor Ribble Valley, Lancashire & West Yorkshire. Gawthorpe & Co Surveyors offer Level 2 Homebuyers Reports, Level 3 Building Surveys, Snagging and Specific Defect Surveys. Free no obligation quotes.

30/09/2026

What is an RICS Level 2 HomeBuyer Report? 🏡

Buying a home is likely the biggest purchase you'll ever make, so it pays to know exactly what you're getting before you commit.

A Level 2 HomeBuyer Report is ideal for conventional houses and flats that are in reasonable condition. It gives you a clear, easy-to-read picture of the property's condition, highlighting anything that needs attention before you exchange contracts.

What we look at:
🔍 Roofs, chimneys, gutters and walls
🔍 Signs of damp, movement or timber defects
🔍 Windows, doors and internal condition
🔍 Services such as heating, electrics and drainage (visual inspection)
🔍 Anything that could affect your safety, the value, or future repair costs

Everything is rated using a simple traffic-light system 🟢🟠🔴 so you can see at a glance what's fine, what needs monitoring, and what needs urgent attention.

A mortgage valuation is for the lender, not for you. A HomeBuyer Report is for *you*. It can help you renegotiate the price, budget for repairs, or walk away from a costly mistake.

Here are a few things we've picked up on recent Level 2 surveys across the Ribble Valley, Lancashire and West Yorkshire. None of these would show up on a mortgage valuation.

As an independent, RICS Regulated firm based in Clitheroe, we give every client a personal, thorough service, and we're always happy to talk you through the report once it's done.

📞 0800 002 9968
📧 [email protected]
🌐 gawthorpeandco.co.uk

23/09/2026

Seeing the whole picture, from the ground up 🚁

Every survey report comes with limitations. When a surveyor can't safely see a roof, chimney stack or high-level gutter, the report has to say so, and that often means a recommendation for "further investigation" before you've even exchanged.

That's where our drone comes in.

At Gawthorpe & Co, we offer drone photography as an extra to help get a clear, close-up view of the areas that are normally out of reach. The photos below were all taken during recent inspections.

What this means for you:

✅ Fewer limitations in your report, so you get a truer reflection of the property's condition
✅ Roof coverings, chimneys, flashings, valleys and rainwater goods inspected properly, not just glimpsed from the pavement with binoculars
✅ No need for ladders, scaffolding or access equipment
✅ Less chance of being sent off to arrange (and pay for) a roofer or other contractor to take a look before you can make a decision
✅ Photographic evidence you can keep and refer back to

Buying a home is one of the biggest decisions you'll make. Our aim is to give you answers, not more questions.

Covering Clitheroe, the Ribble Valley, Lancashire and West Yorkshire.

📞 0800 002 9968
📧 [email protected]
🌐 gawthorpeandco.co.uk