Upsizing to a large family home

 

Have an independent building survey when you are buying a new home

As building surveys we know how important it is to have a full structural survey of a property, whether it be residential or commercial and whether you are buying or leasing. It would indeed be folly to go ahead with such an important transaction without having a full and independent survey report carried out as if there prove to be problems with the property once you have completed upon the purchase then it could turn out to be a money pit.

As building surveys we know how important it is to have an independent building survey (often referred to as a structural survey) on a property.

 

A house is probably one of the largest, if not the largest, purchases you will ever make and it would be folly to go ahead with such an important transaction without having a full and independent survey report carried out as if there prove to be problems with the property once you have completed upon the purchase then it could turn out to be a money pit. You wouldn't buy a car without test driving it first, so why would you buy a house without having a building survey?

Free phone 0800 298 5424

More space wanted

Our clients were keen to move up the property ladder and purchase a larger family home as they were finding that as their children were growing older they needed more space and their current home had become just too small.

 

Well presented property, but did it have hidden problems?

On first inspection, the property looked well presented, both internally and externally. However on closer inspection we quickly unearthed some problems which we identified in full in our building survey report.

 

Vertical cracks in the render

We found that there were many vertical cracks to the render predominantly to the front but also to the right side and rear. As the property was old this is due to differential movement.

 

Differential movement defined

This is where materials move at different rates.

Vertical crack under window

Further vertical crack under window

Hairline vertical crack to render

 

The property sits on a sloping site which may be causing some movement to the right gable.

 
Sloping site

Mix of old and new construction

The property dates back to the 1920's but has had a newer extension added. A mix of old and new construction and we had concerns that current day insulation standards were being met.

There were areas of the property which we felt may have cold bridging.

 

Testing for cold bridging

Cold Bridging Defined

Cold bridging is caused by a colder element in the structure allowing coldness to pass through the structure much quicker when warm moist air is present in the property, often caused by things like having a shower or a bath, cooking or washing, particularly if you are drying washing on the radiators. This is also caused by the general climate which results in condensation on the element.

 

Cold bridging / thermal bridging

 

Surveying equipment is vital when carrying out a survey

We used a moisture meter to check for cold bridging/ condensation in the property.

As chartered building surveyors we also use other surveying equipment, such as:

1.  Damp meters to find any always use rising or lateral / penetrating dampness.

2.  Thermal imaging cameras to show any heat loss from the building

3.  Ladders, both for viewing things such as low level flat roofs and for viewing the loft space internally if there is no fixed loft ladder.

4.  A torch to view the loft space if there is no electric light.

Checking for dampness with a damp meter

The red areas show heat loss through the roof

 

Our building survey put the client's mind at rest

Our clients were very happy with our full and comprehensive survey report and the issues raised, together with suggested actions required and anticipated costs of works, and they decided to go ahead with the purchase.

 

Freephone our building surveyors on 0800 298 5424

You can get a free survey quote by going to our website www.1stAssociated.co.uk or free phone us on 0800 298 5424 to speak to one of our surveyors.

 

All rights reserved to 1stAssociated

All rights to this article are reserved to www.1stAssociated.co.uk

 

 

 

building engineers

Home Buyers Reports Property Surveys - why we're the best. Engineers Reports
© Copyright 1stassociated.co.uk

1stassociated-logo-for-footer IVSA-badge IVSA-putting-client-first call-us-for-footer

We have thousands of free property articles to help you - or call us freephone on 0800 298 5424

We have been working in the property industry for many years and have been
providing free property articles for over ten years. All for free and to help you with buying your next property.

House and Home Surveys and Useful Information

All you need to know about Building Surveys

Building Control, what do they do?

Designers and Architects will they save me money or will they cost me money

Enviroment, Your Building and Garden Gnomes

Estate Agents help sell houses and work for the vendors

Have a Structural Survey to protect you against structural problems

Home improvements, builder problems and ideas for you on how to solve them

How a Surveyor values a property, Chartered Surveyors and Regulated Valuers

How Chartered Engineers and Building Engineers can help you

Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas

NHBC National House Building Council

Structural Surveys and How We Can Help You

Traditional and Non-Traditional Houses and Mortgage Problems

Valuations and how much is the building worth?

Whats the difference between a Chartered Building Surveyor, Chartered Surveyor and an Independent Surveyor

Useful property problem articles by Chartered Surveyors explaining building issues to avoid

External - Helpful information on building problems on the outside of the property

Chimney issues and problems

Cracking and Movement Problems and Surveying Solutions

Flat Roof Problems, how we can solve them

Foundations and Structures and Settlement and Subsidence and Underpinning

Pitched Roofs Problems and Solutions

Roof Problems

Wall Problems

Windows and Doors and Fascias and Soffits and Wet Rot and Dry Rot and other problems

Internal - House problems we have investigated inside

All you ever need to know about floors

Asbestos in your home, what you need to know

Ceiling Cracks and Structural Problems

Condensation, Damp and Black Mould Problems

Cracking and Movement Problems and Surveying Solutions

Windows and Doors and Fascias and Soffits and Wet Rot and Dry Rot and other problems

Woodworm is it a problem or not? Is it active or not?

Services - Building help and advice on costly services

Drainage, what's underground can affect what's above ground

Heating; I just can't get my house warm enough or alternatively I just can't get my house cool enough

You can't mess around with the electric, you need an expert

 

Commercial Property Services

Building Terms Explained and Directories

Commercial Property Surveys

Commercial Structural Surveys

Leisure Facilites

Offices Large and Small

Shops and Retail

Warehouse and Industrial Buildings

Dilapidations Help and Advice What is a Dilapidations Notice?

A Beginner's Guide to Dilaps

Damp Mould and Condensation

Dampness Rising Damp Mould Black Mould Condensation

Dilapidations and Negotiations

Dilapidations Claim by a Landlord

Energy Saving what can I do?

Finance what is a Financial Adviser (We are not Financial Advisors)

Fire Risk and Help

Health and Safety Risks

Insurance how do I get the correct property insurance?

Landlords Surveying Advice

Property Investment how can I invest in property?

Property TV Reviews by an Independent Surveyor

Schedules of Condition Leasing a Commercial Property

Scotts Schedule and Section 18 Valuation

Tenants Surveying Advice

Weather how does weather affect my property?

Flooding

Rain

Snow and Ice

Strong Winds

Reviews from clients on Commercial Building Surveys

Churches and Charities, helpful reviews from our clients

Industrial Buildings and Warehouses and what our clients say about us

Offices Large and Small, reviews and feedback from our clients

Pubs, Restaurants, Hotels and other Leisure facilities we have surveyed over the years

Shops and Retail, helpful reviews from our clients

 

First Time Buyers

Buying a Leasehold or Shared Freehold Home

Buying and Selling Houses for the experienced house and home purchaser

First Time Buyers how do I go about buying my first house and home?

Improve your property knowledge with our presentations on house, homes and commercial property

Building Surveys

Building Surveying Useful Information

Dilapidations

Dilapidations Presentations in Detail

Final Year Building Surveying Exams for University Students or those that would like to know more

How old is your Building? Which era was it built in?

Party Walls

Surveyors and Design Tools

Disputes and Party Walls

Boundary Disputes

Building and Property Disputes

Party Wall Book Reviews

Party Walls Your Rights and Responsibilities

1stAssociated Surveyors Review for Structural Surveys and Building Surveys

Building Surveys, reviews and feedback from satisfied customers

Buy to let property clients, what they say about our structural surveys

Buying at auction, review of the survey

Buying bungalows and retirement properties and how our surveyors can help

Both at work / busy couples, how we can help and some 1stAssociated client reviews

Families with a young person flying the nest, reviews and feedback

First Time Buyers, what they say about us

Listed buildings, structural surveys

Older buildings, a review of buying an older house

Families with children looking for a new home, feedback and reviews

Buying a Non-Traditional Property

Residential Surveys

House and Home Surveys

Commercial Building Surveys

Commercial Surveys

1st Associated Surveyors Are Also Available in the Following Areas:

East Anglia and East

South and South East

West Country and South West

Midlands

North and North East

 

London

London Markets

London Parks

 

Wales

Areas of Britain

1stAssociated Independent Expert Property Surveyors

Specialists in Home Buyers Reports, Building Surveys and Structural Surveys and Schedules of Condition

All Surveyors are Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors qualified and RICS regulated

and are Members of the Independent Surveyors and Valuers Association

Putting the Client First

We do not accept service of documents by email or fax