Home Buyers Survey in St Athan

Should I choose a RICS Level 2 Survey, RICS Level 3 Survey or Full Structural Survey for a home in St Athan and which one would be the cheapest?

The Full Structural Survey has been renamed by RICS as a RICS Level 3 Survey, although it is essentially the same level of survey.

If the St Athan property is a flat or maisonette, or was built before 1900, or has been extended or modified, or is of non standard construction, RICS advise a cheaper RICS Level 2 Survey.

If you are planning to carry out an extension, you should you select a RICS Level 3 Survey. This survey is not as cheap as a RICS Level 2 Survey but it will offer comprehensive details of the St Athan property's state of repair as well as including information on defects as well as maintenance options .

For more information why not get an instant St Athan Survey Quote on our website or call us 0800 022 4428 to speak to a member of our team.

A builder suggested subsidence is a concern. What subsidence-related defects will my RICS Level 3 Survey consider?

Movement of a home on a structural level is called subsidence. However, there is a difference between settlement and subsidence. In the case of new builds, the builder should return to a new home after some months in order to make repairs.

Soil on ground which slopes downward is not as stable as that flat ground and could then become unsteady and slip down the incline. In some cases, the presence of organic material, which then rots or breaks down, can also destabilise parts of the property's foundations. This causes the subsoil to be compacted as its volume is reduced, by the sheer weight and pressure of the building above.

Finding the cause of any subsidence is key. 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 some more serious situations, underpinning may be necessary. Underpinning involves holes being dug 1 metre long and around 1.5 metres deep, along all affected sections of wall, and just beneath the present foundations. Reinforcement bars and concrete are then inserted into these pits to support the structure, as the rest of the foundations are dug out and similarly filled in with concrete. 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 will a RICS Surveyor look for on a stucco regency house in St Athan which we wish to buy.

Stucco is in fact a form of solid render. Usually it is applied to brick that sets to an attractive smooth appearance that resembles stone. It is highly aesthetic and is was often applied to Victorian and Georgian homes for example. it can be problematic and Surveyors in St Athan sometimes show any number of problems such as lateral visible cracking that follows the underlying mortar joints. Other potential problems may be when moisture under DPCs that results in detachment. Fixing Stucco problems may be expensive as the skills are getting more difficult to find.