Home Buyers Survey in Redcar and Cleveland

Should we book a Full Structural Survey, RICS Level 3 Survey or RICS Level 2 Survey on a house in Redcar and Cleveland and which one would be the cheapest?

The Full Structural Survey is now called a RICS Level 3 Survey, however it is basically the same the same survey.

If the Redcar and Cleveland property is a flat, or is 100 or more years old, or has been extended or modified, or is of non standard construction (i.e. not made of bricks), RICS advise a cheaper RICS Level 2 Survey.

If you are planning to do any an extension, it would be better that you choose a RICS Level 3 Survey. The RICS Level 3 Survey is not as cheap as a RICS Level 2 Survey but it does give you comprehensive details of the Redcar and Cleveland property's general condition as well as advice on defects and maintenance options .

For more details you can get an instant Redcar and Cleveland Homebuyers Survey Quote on our website or call us 0800 022 4428 to speak to our survey team.

I know that Redcar and Cleveland subsidence could be a problem. Is this a severe risk, and what can be done to resolve subsidence if subsidence is found during the house survey?

Movement of a home on a structural level is called subsidence. However, there is a difference between settlement and subsidence. Where the home is of very recent construction, the builder will usually return to a new home within a few months to make good any settlement cracks.

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. A high water table will ensure that organic materials in the soil, such as peat, do not decompose but if the soil dries out, this organic matter will decompose. This causes the subsoil to be compacted as its volume is reduced, by the sheer weight and pressure of the building above.

The root cause of any subsidence must be found before repairs can commence. Repairing leaking drains, water mains or broken downpipes which are the cause of the subsidence, should be all that is needed to stabilise the home, with no underpinning required. In serious cases, underpinning may be required. Underpinning the foundations will usually stop the foundations from further movement. It is, however, a time-consuming and costly process. Structural brickwork may need to be dismantled and rebuilt, or more cosmetic areas can effectively be repaired with resin filling in the cracks. This can also be time-consuming, and inconvenient. A surveyor will be able to tell you if there is subsidence in your home or not, and what is causing it.

What should we be fearful of if buying a flat close to Carlin Howe Farm near Redcar Road and landfill sites generally

Landfill Sites are used for a variety of waste including industrial waste. There are thousands of sites affect hundreds of thousands of people throughout the UK including Redcar and Cleveland. Risks might include complex organic chemicals. Potential health problems like birth defects have been associated to landfill sites .

Surveyors will consider structural problems linked to the site. Your conveyancer will commission environmental searches of the British Geological data sets in addition to Local Authority and address any concerns you may have .

I have put in an offer on a Redcar and Cleveland building with a loft conversion - What should we do about roof repairs?

Questions like this are often asked of surveyors in Redcar and Cleveland by home buyers who are aware that property can be blighted by damage to the roof. All aspects of the roof should be reviewed, from the slates to the collar beams. Difficulties can often arise in the case of flat roofs, caused by amateur repairs.

The expense of loft insulation, or other major roof work, means that some owners put it off for as long as possible. This is a false economy, as such issues can lead to more severe general structural problems. A quote (or several) for any necessary work should be acquired as soon as possible. Call Peak Roofing Contractors of 10 Forth Rd, Redcar, TS10 1PN on 01642 775577 for details.