Home Buyers Survey in West Dean

Should we have a RICS Level 2 Survey, RICS Level 3 Survey or Full Structural Survey on a home in West Dean and which is the cheapest?

The Full Structural Survey has changed its name to a RICS Level 3 Survey but is basically the same the same comprehensive survey.

If the West Dean property is a flat, or is a period property, or has been structurally modified, or is built of unusual materials (e.g. thatch roof), you should go for a cheaper RICS Level 2 Survey.

If you are planning to carry out substantial modifications, it would be better that you commission a RICS Level 3 Survey. The RICS Level 3 Survey is not as cheap as a RICS Level 2 Survey but it will offer exhaustive analysis of the West Dean property's state of repair as well as information on defects as well as maintenance options .

For further advice why not get an instant West Dean House Survey Quote online or call us 0800 022 4428 to speak to one of our advisers.

In a West Dean RICS Level 2 Survey, what are the usual an red light rating defects affecting rainwater pipes and gutters?

The RICS Level 2 Survey is designed to be user-friendly, unlike less prescriptive surveys. These may offer more complex detail, but they are also less useful for home buyers deciding whether or not to purchase a home. Your property surveyor will mark each aspect of the property included in Section E with either a green, orange or red rating, to indicate how serious the issues which the surveyor has discovered actually are. A condition rating of three is used to emphasise the most crucial repairs. 'Red' defects may also need further investigation by a qualified specialist before a full assessment can be made.

External areas covered by E3 are inspected visually, where access is possible. This section does not include combined system problems. Improperly sloped gutters is one example.

A local builder has mentioned subsidence is worth checking. What can be done to fix subsidence if it is identified?

Subsidence refers to the movement of a building and its foundations. Subsidence and settlement are often confused. Settlement will often occur in newer buildings, and is rarely a cause for concern. The building's weight can cause the ground beneath the foundations to compact, which will cease after a matter of months. Most homes in West Dean are constructed from a range of materials, each of which will contract at a varying rates.

Subsidence results from a range of factors. For example, water leaking from a collapsed drainage will wash away the earth protecting the building's foundations. This reduces the volume of the subsoil, allowing the weight of the property to distort the supporting ground. Organic material in the sub-soil can also create issues. Peat is normally stable when sat below the water table, but if the water level falls and the soil dries out, this organic matter will decompose. The weight of the foundations will then compress the sub soil.

Identifying what has caused the subsidence is a necessary first step. The removal of trees may make the problem worse, however, so professional advice should be sought. Existing trees must be well managed, and new trees should be planted at a safe distance from the exterior walls of the property. Maple, lime and horse chestnut trees should planted no closer than 20m to the property itself. You may need to monitor (and measure) the cracks for as much as a year before the picture becomes entirely clear.

We want to put in an offer on a place in West Dean. Is there any Monk bond upkeep suggestions we should be aware of?? Is age a factor?

West Dean brick-walled residences can be subject to several common problems. This could be anything from crumbling mortar to inadequate damp-proofing. The chartered surveyor can investigate these as part of their report along with recommendations. An especially severe issue is extensive damp where water has been drawn in through or between poorly fitted brickwork. Contact several local builders for quotes, including Evans G B of 2 Weatheroak Cl, Redditch, B97 5TF on 01527 544877.

One example is Flemish bond, featuring alternating long and short faces of bricks. Consider the advice of both the surveyor and a builder or other specialist if potential structural defects arise during the survey.

We are intend to be buying a house near. What things does the qualified surveyor take into account when calculating house prices in West Dean ?

There are many factors which could positively or negatively affect property values for instance whether any associated planning permissions come with the property or the likelihood of development occurring nearby. .

The only way for you to get a formal property valuation is with a RICS Level 2 Survey which includes a Property Valuation Report (PVR) as part of the service.

A qualified surveyor should go to the property as well as considering the wealth of location factors that have a bearing on the value of property.

Is wet weather an issue in West Dean, and does our house surveyor in West Dean mention it? Could damaged drainage lower the property value?

Both in West Dean, and throughout the county, rain is so common that buyers rarely think about it. Unfortunately this issue is often overlooked by home buyers. If you have only been to the house you are buying in on a sunny day, problems are unlikely to be visible. This can lead to collapsed drains or overflowing septic tank.

Whether buying in West Dean or elsewhere, difficult gutters does not necessarily mean that you need to pull out. Such matters are often simple to fix, and is also relatively inexpensive. Where this is poorly maintained, the damage becomes increasing costly to remedy.