Home Buyers Survey in Higham Wood

Should we choose a Full Structural Survey, Building Survey or HomeBuyer Report for a property in Higham Wood and which one is cheaper?

The Full Structural Survey is now called a Building Survey, however it is essentially the same comprehensive survey.

If the Higham Wood property is an apartment, or is 100 or more years old, or has been substantially modified, or is of non standard construction (i.e. not brick and tile), you should choose the cheaper HomeBuyer Report.

If you intend to do any significant alterations, RICS advise you select a Building Survey. This more detailed survey is less cheap however it does give a more detailed analysis of the Higham Wood property's condition and it includes advice on structural defects as well as maintenance options .

For more details why not obtain a Higham Wood Survey Quote or call us 0800 038 6667 to speak to our survey team.

Should I opt for a full structural survey before acquiring a defective thirties cottage in Higham Wood?

Full Structural Surveys are now known as Building Surveys. The HomeBuyer Report has enough detail if buying a mid century or later unmodified Higham Wood house built out of typical construction materials. If buying an unusual house, for example a period Higham Wood house, Building Survey is now the correct survey to choose to get a surveyor to do. Around 3 days following a thorough inspection of any accessible parts of the house, a report (set out in the surveyor's individual format) is forwarded to the prospective buyer summarising thorough and significant professional advice about the construction materials used on the property.

There will be a few limitations with a Building Survey as a surveyor is not in a position to force or open up the fabric of the Higham Wood property such as removing secured panels.

What should I be wary of when buying a flat near to a landfill site

Landfill Sites take many forms e.g. inert waste material disposal. Nobody ideally wants to live near one (4/5 people live within 1.5m of one!). Worries include chemicals like dioxins. Health issues for example birth defects have been linked to landfill sites .

Higham Wood surveyors will flag up structural problems connected with the landfill. Your conveyancer will carry out environmental searches of the British Geological database in addition to Pembrokeshire Local Authority and inform you of any issues and let you know if the searches fail .

What defects will the Chartered Surveyor look out for on a stipple rendered (stucco) home in Higham Wood.

Stucco (sometimes called pargetting) is actually a type of render. Commonly stucco render is applied to brick that dries to a smooth and attractive finish. The finish is highly attractive and is often found on Victorian houses. It is similar to plaster in its constituency. It used to have lime in it in addition to a plastic under mesh to stop cracks. Stucco is often problematic and Higham Wood Building Surveys commonly detail issues which might include trapped moisture leading to the render failing. Other issues may include when the application is taken down to ground level and bypasses the Damp Proof Course (DPC). Remedying problems may be dear as the skills are getting rarer.

I have been informed that clay soil can be an issue for property in Higham Wood. Will the Higham Wood HomeBuyer Report look into this?

Soil composition can have a great impact on a home. Issues range from soil compaction or compression to consolidation, or the change in volume of soil resulting from water loss, both of which can put a home's foundations under great strain. Buyers should be vigilant for signs of clay soil subsidence or heave. Some clay soils are prone to creep, if the top soil and property lie on a slope. Either as a result of erosion or extreme weather, in rare situations, the soil layer can shift without warning, as a landslide, resulting in the structural failure and collapse of the whole building! There is a real benefit in booking a Higham Wood surveyor to carry out your Home Buyers Survey, familiar with local soil composition, and who has witnessed the effects first-hand. If you are particularly concerned about a crack or other sign of movement, the surveyor can also report on whether it is recent, or an indication of much earlier subsidence.