Home Buyers Survey in Boreham

Is it best to go for a HomeBuyer Report, Full Structural Survey or Building Survey on a property in Boreham and which would be the cheapest?

The Full Structural Survey has been renamed by RICS as a Building Survey and is basically the same the same level of survey.

If the Boreham property is a flat, or is a period property, or has been structurally modified, or is built of unusual materials (e.g. thatch roof), RICS recommend the cheaper HomeBuyer Report.

If you are thinking about whether to do any significant alterations on the property, you should you book a Building Survey. The Building Survey is not as cheap however it does offer comprehensive details of the Boreham property's state of repair as well as including advice on structural defects and maintenance options .

If in doubt get an instant Boreham Home Survey Quote on our website or call 0800 038 6667 to speak to a member of our team.

We are planning to buy a home and the vendor has confirmed that it has been built with Kentish Rag stone. What should we be particularly aware of?

Stone walls are often ignored by home buyers due to their apparent strength and solidity. Issues which impact the lifespan of stone-built elements are as diverse as the stone varieties themselves.

Regular stone walls are built with prepared or cut stone, called ashlar, and are often easier to maintain than irregularly built walls as stones are less likely to come loose or the mortar to decay. Choice of stone will impact the lifespan of a structure, for example, exposure to the elements (especially in areas of higher pollution) will cause many limestones to rapidly degrade. A survey will include a range of suggestions or requirements for maintenance, such as use of traditional methods to maintain older walls.

Ask your surveyor for clarification if you are in doubt as to likely maintenance, particularly if the house in question is listed or located in a conservation area.

We are buying in Boreham and are looking for houses built with brick walls. What input does a Boreham surveyor give?

Boreham converted property with brick walls can be affected by both minor and serious issues, such as horizontal cracking. One defect surveyors of brick property frequently address is diagonal cracks which widen as they move upwards. These may result from ground movement, or where a timber element of the wall has rotted away. Chris Burden may be able to give a quote for any maintenance work. Contact them at 01722 330812 or 8 St. Francis Cr, Salisbury, SP1 3QT.

One example is common bond, which is made up of stretchers (long faced bricks) with headers (the short face of the brick) every 6 courses or rows.

Consider the advice of both the surveyor and a builder or other specialist if potential structural defects arise during the survey.

We are buying a property but are worried about pests - Will a surveyor look into this?

Boreham home buyers should be aware that there is no legal obligation for a seller to report on an infestation. An affected house may not always be easy to identify.

For example, carpet beetle larvae, or 'woolly bears' may be recognised by distinctive round bite marks along seams of clothing. Able to survive months without food, there may initially be no obvious evidence of their presence. Remedies to bug or other pest issues can include use of insecticides.RICS guidelines on the issue of vermin are something of a 'grey-area', so specific fears should be mentioned to your RICS surveyor.