Buying a period property as

your perfect family home!

A clients review

 

Independent Building Surveyors

 

Buying a family home can be a difficult process as the property has to suit the needs of a number of people. Things such as a good location and accessibility to suitable schools and shops can also be a factor. Other factors that need to be taken into consideration are whether the property is structurally sound or if there are problems within the property that will be expensive to resolve.

Street view of Georgian properties

As Independent Building Surveyors we can provide you with help and advice. We carry out structural surveys, home buyers reports, independent valuations, property surveys, engineers reports, structural reports, defects report so please call us on 0800 298 5424 for a friendly chat.

Free phone 0800 298 5424

How a Building Survey can help you find your ideal family home

We have recently carried out a survey for a young couple with a young child who were looking to buy a period property as a family home. They have been looking for the perfect family home for many years but it also needed to be a property that is large enough so that they can also work from home.

Older properties often have newer extensions added

 

Buying a property from the Georgian or Victorian era

The house that we surveyed was built during the end of the Georgian era and has the benefit of large rooms and large bay windows that let in a lot of natural light.

In this case it also had the slightly more pointed architecture associated more with a Victorian property. The property has been amended with a further living space to the rear in a very modern, cotemporary style that certainly gives the wow factor to the house.

Bay windows let in a lot of natural light

As mentioned earlier although the house will be enjoyed as a family home for many years to come it also needed to be a suitable place to work from.

More pointed architecture of a Victorian property

 

Movement and dampness in the property

As our clients were able to meet us at the property we were able to identify and show them the problems within the property. During our survey we noted some structural movement in the property and we were able to explain to the clients how to resolve this.
We also found some dampness in the property and although this dampness is a problem it was the impact that it could have on the suspended timber floor construction that was the main issue. A suspended timber floor needs airflow underneath it to prevent wet rot.

Movement causing cracks in the brickwork

 

Airflow below extended property

Suspended timber floor

 

The builders were not familiar with older, period properties

The dampness also showed how the builders were not familiar or experienced with working with older, period properties. It may be more accurate for us to say that some of the tradespeople that the builder used for various projects in the house were not used to dealing with older properties.
For example, we found the lead work to be of above average quality but the cement re-pointing that had taken place was completely inappropriate for a building of this age. The cement mortar used is simply too hard and a softer, less rigid mortar should have been used. Ideally this re-pointing should have been carried out in a lime mortar as older properties need to be allowed to breathe.

Cement pointing is too hard and will often fall out. A Lime mortar should have been used

 

Older or period properties need to be able to breathe

 

Here are some links to some surveying articles that may be of help to you.

 

Listed Buildings

Building surveys also known as Structural Surveys

Do you need a Damp Proof Course in an older property?

 

 

Flat, flat roofs!

We also found what we would consider to be the curse of modern extensions, a large flat, flat roof! We use this term to show that the flat roof is absolutely flat with no pitch meaning that water is unable to run off of it. We always prefer to see a pitch of at least fifteen degrees even on a flat roof. When water is unable to run off the roof ponding can occur and this can cause all sorts of damage.

Ponding on a flat roof

 

Cold flat roof

Warm flat roof

 

Ponding defined

This is where a pool or pond of water sits on a flat roof and the weight of it builds up and starts to depress the roof which then deteriorates the felt on it.

Caveat Emptor or buyer beware!

Caveat emptor means Buyer Beware and this is why, if you are considering buying a property, you need to have a building survey carried out to find out if there are any problems within the property that you need to be aware of such as leaking flat roofs. Often estate agents will not advise you of these problems.

Leaks can be caused by ponding on a flat roof

 

What do the circles and ovals mean in our reports?

We always include many photos within our reports. Sometimes where there is a problem in the property that we wish to emphasize or highlight we will use circles or ovals to identify this. If the report, along with our photos, does not explain the problem or characteristics of a property enough then we also have a vast range of sketches that we have had commissioned exclusively for us that we can use in our reports.

Air brick acting as gutter

Air brick acting as gutter causing dampness internally

 

Independent Building Surveyors

We are experienced independent building Surveyors who are knowledgeable in carrying out structural surveys on all types, styles and eras of buildings. If you are looking to buy a period property it makes sense to have a structural survey carried out by an Independent Surveyor. Phone us for a friendly chat on 0800 298 5424.

 

Compare our Building Surveys but don't compare Apples with Thursdays

 

If you require a Building Survey or a Structural Survey on a home, house or commercial property we believe as Building Surveyors we have a wealth of experience and expertise that we can utilise to help you.

We are more than happy to email you ex amples of our Surveys that we have carried out on similar properties to the one that you are looking to buy although we do appreciate that all properties are unique.

We really believe that you should see what you are getting in the form of an example Survey before you purchase a property. What's more we are so confident with our higher than average standards that we believe that there is no other comparable survey available in the UK property and surveying market.

 

We have many other articles on our website for you to read

Please have a good look around our website to see how much detail we go into regarding property and its associated problems in our articles. We go into this much depth and detail within our reports as well.

We trust you found the article of use and if you have any experiences that you believe should be added to this article that would benefit others, or you feel that some of the information that we have put is wrong then please do not pause to contact us (we are only human). Your comments will be appreciated.

The contents of the web site are for general information only and are not intended to be relied upon for specific or general decisions. Appropriate independent professional advice should be taken before making such a decision.

 

All rights reserved by 1stAssociated.co.uk

All rights are reserved the contents of the web site is not to be reproduced or transmitted in any form in whole or part without the express written permission of  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