Home Buyers Survey in Beckton

Should we go for a Full Structural Survey, Building Survey or HomeBuyer Report for a home in Beckton and which one is cheaper?

The Full Structural Survey has been renamed a Building Survey, however it is basically the same the same survey.

If the Beckton property is a flat or maisonette, or is over 100 years old, or has been structurally modified, or is of non standard construction, you should go for a cheaper HomeBuyer Report.

If you are thinking about whether to carry out any major works, RICS advise you go for a Building Survey. The Building Survey is not as cheap however it does offer exhaustive analysis of the Beckton property's state of repair as well as more detailed advice on defects , repairs as well as maintenance options .

For more details get a Beckton House Survey Quote on our website or call us 0800 038 6667 to speak to one of our advisers.

I am intending to put an offer in on a Beckton property built Ham Hill stone. Are there any related issues that need to be investigated, and what does the survey cover?

Buyers of a Grade I listed building should consider that upkeep respects the original fabric of the property. These restrictions are often rigorously enforced. The properties of a stone can affect wear as much as upkeep or construction. The two main forms of mortared stone wall construction found in Beckton are regular and irregular. Dry stone construction is used in garden walls and field boundaries, but is rarely employed for inhabited structures.

Regular courses of ashlar (cut stone) are often used as a finish to irregular stone walls, with a brick or rubble wall beneath.

Home Buyers Surveys will usually offer guidance on these matters. An example would be clearing of ivy-like plant life and weeds.

The sheer breadth of varying stone materials can make it difficult for purchasers to correctly identify the particular stone used in the building of a home. Quarries in Beckton should be able to supply local stone.

We saw that windows in the sitting room did not line up when we last viewed the house. What solutions are to available to fix this?

Movement of a structure on a structural level is called subsidence. Often, homes in Beckton are constructed from a range of materials, each of which will contract at a varying rates.

Cracks that appear without warning could indicate subsidence. A severe change in humidity or ambient temperature can also impact a house susceptible to further settlement, either because the structural integrity is already compromised, or due to the use of cheaper materials. Identifying the cause of subsidence is the first step to its solution. It has been estimated that around 70% subsidence cases are caused by tree roots drawing moisture from the soil. In serious cases, underpinning may be required. 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. Damaged but non-structural elements should be filled and re-weatherproofed. If the surveyor cannot give you a conclusive diagnosis, they will recommend that you engage the services of a structural engineer.

Is wet weather an issue in Beckton? Where there is necessary work, what should we do?

Despite England's reputation for wet weather the effect which rain has on Beckton homes is overlooked. If you have only seen the house you are buying in the Summer, obvious defects may be harder to find. Poor drainage can lead to penetrating damp.

That is not to say that drainage problems should cause you to reconsider a purchase. They are usually a simple matter to resolve. If disregarded, however, the damage will impact both the home's value, and the residents' enjoyment of the property.