Home Buyers Survey in West Thurrock

Should I go for a HomeBuyer Report, Building Survey or Full Structural Survey on a property in West Thurrock and which one is cheaper?

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

If the West Thurrock property is a flat or maisonette, or is a period property, or has been structurally modified, or is of non standard construction, you should go for the cheaper HomeBuyer Report.

If you are thinking about whether to carry out an extension, RICS recommend you go for a Building Survey. This more detailed survey is less cheap but it does provide you with exhaustive analysis of the West Thurrock property's condition in addition to an opinion on defects and maintenance options .

For more information why not obtain an instant West Thurrock House Survey Quote on our website or call us 0800 038 6667 to speak to our survey team.

I have put in an offer on a West Thurrock home with a loft conversion. What does the West Thurrock surveyor keep an eye out for during the investigation?

This often causes anxiety for home buyers with a roofing 'horror story' from a previous home. Many residential properties could feature issues with the roof. All parts of the roof must be considered during the survey. This can include anything from collar beams to slates. Flat roofs are also known for the trouble they can cause, often the result of being literally flat, as opposed to on a small incline so that water can drain correctly.

Given the high cost of major roof repairs like repairing a bowing truss, some homeowners may defer maintenance indefinitely. This makes both the cause and the consequences harder and even more expensive to treat when repairs do take place. A West Thurrock builder with a good reference can provide a quote. Call Bestin Roofing Ltd of 11 Diamond Close/Chafford, Grays, RM16 6PU on 01375 414142 for an estimate.

What should I be wary of when purchasing a house near to a refuse landfill site

Landfill Sites take many forms including hazardous rubbish disposal. Of course nobody ideally wants to live near one (most people do live within 1.5m of one!). Worries might include chemicals like dioxins. Potential health concerns like abdominal wall problems have been linked to landfill sites .

Surveyors will find structural issues linked to the landfill. Your lawyer will carry out environmental searches of the British Geological database as well as Thurrock Local Authority and address any concerns you may have .

On the HomeBuyer Report, can you give some examples of a green light rating defects for factors covered in Section E?

The RICS HomeBuyer Report is designed to be user-friendly, unlike less prescriptive surveys. These may offer more complex detail, but they are also less useful for property buyers deciding whether or not to purchase a home. The report employs 'traffic light' ratings of red, amber and green the impact on the property individual defects may have. Elements of the home which the surveyor has determined to be in a good state of repair are awarded a condition rating of 1, but this does not mean that no future work is required. Seasonal checks may still be appropriate to prevent deterioration. In some cases, an element covered under Section E may be marked as NI, or 'Not inspected'. Where the surveyor is unable to gain access to some areas, e.g. the roof of a block of flats, these aspects of the report will not be completed.

One example issue could be sagging railings. Miscellaneous external elements are including here that do not sit comfortably elsewhere in section E. Contact your surveyor if you require more information.