Why you need a house survey

Builders

Building defects are often caused by human error. As time passes, buildings are seeing more defects built into them than ever before. This is due to a reduction in apprentices and skilled labourers. Less people with less training leads to sloppy work. As a result, defects are becoming more and more prevalent in modern homes.

Design is another cause of structural issues. Often Georgian, Victorian, and even semi-detached houses have design quirks. These characteristic aesthetics are sometimes prioritised over a building’s structural integrity. Defective design methods, if left uncorrected, have costly repercussions. This is why a house survey is important to protect your investment.

Roof overhang is one example of style combined with safe structural practices. The purpose of the overhang is to shield walls from getting completely wet, as damp walls emit heat. It also protects the lower part of the house in contact with the ground and prevents shading. Done correctly, this protects your home.

Older buildings tend to last longer due to the quality of materials and training. Modern properties, however, are constructed en-masse by developers. Monetary value wins out over quality constructed buildings. Unfortunately, buyers foot the bill with long-term structural issues.

Double Glazing

Double-glazing has a number of particular defects apart from the obvious which is mist in between panes. There is a lack of opening windows at first floor level. We are finding that up t0 30% of properties that we look at do not have an opening window which prevents access and egress in the event of a life threatening fire. There are still quite a few windows fitted in the early 1980s with a PVCu frame and single-glazing. These are often misconstrued as being double-glazing; something else to watch out for. The list of defects with double-glazing continues to be endless. Dampness Dampness is one of the primary problems in buildings. It can actually lead to dry rot and wet rot of timbers. In our opinion almost all dampness and dry rot is caused by human error. If the conditions for wet rot and dry rot are correct it can occur very quickly in only a matter of months.

Why Get a Survey?

WHAT IS A SCHEDULE OF CONDITION?

A Schedule of Condition is a detailed and factual record of the condition of a property. The Schedule of Condition is usually prepared for contractual reasons to establish the condition of the property at a set date in time. This is most frequently used during the beginning of a lease agreement or for party wall agreements. This can be carried out on residential and commercial premises.

A Schedule of Condition can be requested by a landlord, tennant, employer, contractor or neighbour.

Having a Schedule of Condition completed by an independent expert provides verification of the property's condition. This is important in the event any party raises a claim or negotiation.

A Schedule of Condition is different from a Condition Survey. The Schedule of Condition is a record of a building's condition accompanied by descriptive annotations and photographs, usually appended to a legal document. A Condition Survey, however, is a document prepared to identify the condition of the building with the purpose of determining what works are required, if any.