Home Buyers Survey in Kingsnorth

Is it best to opt for a Full Structural Survey, Building Survey or HomeBuyer Report on a home in Kingsnorth and which would be the cheapest?

The Full Structural Survey has changed its name to a Building Survey, however it is essentially the same.

If the Kingsnorth property is a flat, or is over 100 years old, or has been structurally altered, or is built of unusual materials (e.g. steel and glass), RICS advise the cheaper HomeBuyer Report.

If you are thinking about whether to carry out alterations, you should you go for a Building Survey. This option is less cheap, however it will give you comprehensive details of the Kingsnorth property's state of repair and it includes advice on structural defects , repairs as well as maintenance options .

If in doubt why not obtain an instant Kingsnorth Survey Quote online or call us 0800 038 6667 to speak to a member of our team.

Does a survey include a valuation and reinstatement cost estimate (including costs for site clearance) and how is it calculated?

The Homebuyer Report contains a valuation and will also include a reinstatement cost. To ascertain the property's value the surveyor will take into account awareness of the Kingsnorth property market and other considerations relating to the property e.g. style of architecture The RICS surveyor will also consider style of architecture and draw upon other assumptions e.g. there are no hazardous materials.

A Building Survey does not include a valuation as standard. However we can add a valuation for a small additional fee. Please call for information. Alternatively a Property Valuation Report (PVR) can be carried out.

Additional local Kingsnorth area conjectures, like connection to sewers, are made in addition to Kingsnorth environmental issues like Kingsnorth planning proposals (e.g flight path), which will also be factored in.

Will a RICS surveyor check the condition of the gas flues?

A RICS chartered surveyor will visually inspect the easily accessible parts of the system. A surveyor will want to inspect the routing of any gas pipes as part of the survey, as well as gas affiliated fixtures such as chimney breasts. The Kingsnorth qualified surveyor won't remove the gas fittings and surveyors are not qualified to carry out any tests whatsoever on the functionality of the gas system. Anything related to gas should be handled with care as it is potentially hazardous and if there are any concerns about gas, call an engineer.

We are buying in Kingsnorth and are looking for a residence constructed with Flemish bond walls. What recommendations will a property surveyor in Kingsnorth make?

Brick-constructed structures feature several advantages. However, they can also be subject to a number of issues, such as spalling. Your surveyor in Kingsnorth will mention these along with recommendations. One problem often found is thermal movement, caused by more extreme temperature variation, and resulting in vertical cracks. T K Rowe Ltd should be able to provide an estimate for repair work. Contact them at 138 Suffolk Sq, Norwich, NR2 2BW or 07801 610474.

For example, Dutch bond, which is similar to English bond. It may be appropriate to renegotiate the price of a property if a survey reveals even superficial brick wall problems.

What is subsidence? What subsidence issues will the house survey reveal?

Movement of a house on a structural level is called subsidence. The builder will likely return to a new house within a few months in order to repair settlement damage.

Collapsed drains, including mains drains, can cause subsidence by washing away or loosening subsoil. This is an example of groundwater subsidence. Organic material in the sub-soil can also create issues. Organic material such as peat is usually stable if kept moist by the water level, but if the soil dries, this organic matter will decompose. This will cause the soil beneath and around the foundations to collapse.

Identifying the cause of subsidence is the first step to its solution.This need not be expensive.Removing or even pruning any tree(s) causing subsidence may be enough to halt any further movement. Even with professional help, a definite diagnosis can take months.