Home Buyers Survey in Polesworth

Is it best to go for a HomeBuyer Report, Full Structural Survey or Building Survey for a home in Polesworth and which one is cheaper?

The Full Structural Survey has been renamed by RICS as a Building Survey, although it is essentially the same.

If the Polesworth property is a flat, or is an older property, or has been extended, or is built of unusual materials, RICS advise the cheaper HomeBuyer Report.

If you intend to carry out alterations, it would be better that you carry out a Building Survey instead. This more detailed survey is not as cheap as a HomeBuyer Report but it does give you an in-depth analysis of the Polesworth property's general condition in addition to advice on defects , general repairs and maintenance options .

For more information get an instant Polesworth Survey Quote on our website or call us 0800 038 6667 to speak to a member of our team.

A local builder mentioned subsidence could be a concern impacting the home. What subsidence-related matters will the Property Surveyor reveal?

Subsidence is movement in a home's foundations. In the majority of cases, subsidence can be repaired. Heave is less common, and may result from the removal of a tree or shrub.

Subsidence-related cracks are generally wider at the top than at the bottom. In some cases, the presence of buried organic material, which begins to rot, can also destabilise parts of the property's foundations. The weight of the foundations will then compress the sub soil.

Restoration work cannot begin until the original source of the movement is found. The removal of trees may make the problem worse, however, so professional advice should be sought. Even with professional help, a definite diagnosis can take months.

We are buying a Polesworth property built in the mid 70s, but it has clay foundations. Can we expect the Polesworth House Survey to mention this? Does the chartered surveyor give maintenance advice?

Surveyors handle more questions relating to subsidence than any other topic, and clay soil is a major contributing factor to the problem, with subsidence being a common example. The composition of clay soil varies greatly, with some areas being more susceptible to clay soil subsidence than others, but the effects can be very similar. Signs like sticking doors can be an early warning, suggesting severe underlying structural deficiencies. During the HomeBuyer Report or Building Survey, the effect that the soil make up could have on the home will be considered. The building foundations may need extra support in some cases. A surveyor can confirm if this is necessary, as it can be a lengthy process.

Do stone-walled properties cause issues for the buyer? Are there any related issues that need to be investigated, and what does the survey cover?

Britain's varied geology has encouraged the use of many varieties of stone, from Golconda Dolomitic Limestone to Totternhoe Limestone. Defects affecting stone-built homes can vary, deteriorating mortar being relatively common. Bear in mind that some defects will affect regular or irregularly cut stone equally, whereas others will not, and may require a local surveyors expertise to identify. Different stone types will also decay a different rates based on environmental conditions.

For example, limestones such as Bath stone or Kentish Rag will deteriorate when exposed to the elements. Property surveys should give some repair guidance, like.