Home Buyers Survey in Belford

Should we select a HomeBuyer Report, Full Structural Survey or Building Survey for a property in Belford and which one would be cheaper?

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

If the Belford property is a flat or maisonette, or is over 100 years old, or has been structurally altered, or is built of unusual materials, RICS advise a cheaper HomeBuyer Report.

If you are thinking about whether to carry out major works, RICS recommend you carry out a Building Survey instead. The Building Survey is less cheap however it will offer comprehensive details of the Belford property's general condition along with information on defects and maintenance options .

For more detailed advice you can get a Belford House Survey Quote online or call us 0800 038 6667 to speak to one of our advisers.

I have put in an offer on a Belford house with a loft conversion - What aspects of the loft will be considered?

This is often asked by house purchasers who know that homes can, to the disappointment of their would-be owners, still suffer roofing woes, like wet rot. From tie beams to purlins, the whole roof should be investigated. The are also numerous flat-roofed properties in Belford, including many apartment blocks. In these cases, the building surveyors will look for a range of signs, including amateur repairs.

It may be inconvenient to employ scaffolding to perform repairs, especially in the busy parts of Belford, but it is a health and safety necessity. A builder from the area with positive reviews can provide a quote.

What kind of problems will the RICS Surveyor look for on a stucco coated Victorian home in Belford.

Stucco is actually a specific type of render. Normally it is applied to brick hardens to form an attractive smooth appearance that resembles stone. The coating is very attractive and is common on some Regency buildings. Stucco is often prone to defect and Surveyors in Belford sometimes highlight any number of problems for example, when it is exposed to on-going weathering and rain which becomes saturated and thus prone to frost damage

Another example of problems associated with stucco may result from the carrying of heavy weight or loads such as cracking under the roof joists. Fixing problems with stucco may be surprisingly expensive as renderers are getting more difficult to find.

The seller's agent said there may be a danger of asbestos wallpaper present in the flat. Which types of asbestos are a concern, is there a danger and will the home survey in Belford report on it?

Asbestos is a dangerous fibrous substance. The 3 main types are Blue, Brown and White and they were commonly used in building materials for example ceiling boards.

Asbestos was commonly used as it has characteristic resistance to chemical damage qualities and it may be found in boilers.

All forms (including white) are hazardous and may lead to lung cancer if inhaled over sustained periods.

Care should be taken if asbestos is discovered on no account to disturb asbestos and professional advice must be taken as soon as possible. Surveyors cannot verify the presence of asbestos on a survey. However they will mention potential asbestos risks and should inform you of the options.