Home Buyers Survey in Alnwick

Should we go for a Full Structural Survey, Building Survey or HomeBuyer Report for a house in Alnwick and which would be the cheapest?

The Full Structural Survey has a new name called a Building Survey but is effectively the same comprehensive survey.

If the Alnwick property is a flat, or is over 100 years old, or has been substantially modified, or is of non standard construction (i.e. not brick and tile), RICS advise the cheaper HomeBuyer Report.

If you are thinking about whether to make substantial modifications, RICS recommend you go for a Building Survey. This option is not as cheap however it will offer exhaustive analysis of the Alnwick property's state of repair and it includes an opinion on defects and maintenance options .

For more information why not obtain an instant Alnwick House Survey Quote via our website or call us 0800 038 6667 to speak to one of our advisers.

The vendor has suggested subsidence may be a concern impacting the apartment. How could this affect the property, and what can be done to remedy subsidence if it is identified?

Movement of the foundations of a home is called subsidence. In addition, some homes in Alnwick are built with a variety of materials, and these will have varying rates of shrinkage.

Cracks to a lounge floor surface are an obvious suggestion of subsidence. These could, fortunately, be merely superficial. In extreme weather, movement can worsen, leading to subsidence.

Identifying the cause of subsidence is the first step to its solution. The removal of trees may make the problem worse, however, so professional advice should be sought. Underpinning could be the only option in some cases, unfortunately. As an alternative to underpinning, piling, or mini-piling, uses concrete or steel poles that are driven down into more stable soil, to stop further movement. A surveyor will be able to tell you if there is subsidence in your home or not, and what is causing it.

How will we know what effect does rain have on our new building? Will the Alnwick home buyers survey report on this?

As a frequent surveyor of houses in the area, I find it strange that the effect which rain has on a residence is rarely paid due attention by buyers. If you have visited the property on a clear day, obvious defects may be harder to find. Signs that rainwater goods are blocked include water pooling below gutters.

Whether buying in Alnwick or elsewhere, difficult rainwater goods does not necessarily mean that you need to pull out. Such matters are often simple to resolve.

Would our property surveyor check for possible water damage, or whether flooding has affected nearby homes?

Contrary to popular opinion, the distance a Alnwick home in Alnwick is from the nearest river or coast is not the only measure of flood risk, and owning a home in Alnwick in or near a high-risk area can mean higher insurance premiums. Your RICS surveyor may use several methods to determine if the home in Alnwick in question is in danger.

Flood water can enter a home through a number of routes, including air bricks, poorly fitted doors and windows, and seepage through external walls. An awareness of characteristics of the Alnwick area likely to affect the home also enables the chartered surveyor to advise flooding may be a risk. Flooding issues will only be raised in Section J of a Home Buyers Survey if the chartered surveyor observes or has reason to suspect that the home is at risk.