Upsizing to a large family home

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

As building surveyors 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 proves 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 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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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Free Phone 0800 298 5424