Buying a modern property as your
first home? - A review.
Our Independent Building Surveyors can help you
When you are buying your first property it can be a daunting prospect. Our Building Surveyors at 1stAssociated.co.uk can provide you with help and advice to make sure you are aware of any problems in the property as we have carried out surveys on all types and eras of property over the years. These surveys have included building surveys, structural surveys, home buyers reports, independent valuations, property surveys, engineers reports, structural reports and defects reports so please call us on 0800 298 5424 for a friendly chat.
Modern properties
Does a modern property need a Building Survey carried out?
This mid terraced property built in the 1990's was the third property our client had considered buying. The client needed somewhere close to work and although the previous two properties also achieved this the Surveys carried out on them revealed problems and characteristics that our client was not happy to take on as a first time buyer.
This modern property had a
prefabricated roof
Problems that we found in the property
It was definitely third time lucky for our client as this property did not have any problems that we believed would make it a high risk property.
This does not mean that the property was totally problem free. For example, the timber windows, fascias and soffits all needed repair and redecoration.
Timber fascias and soffits needed
redecoration
We also identified some differential movement in the form of hairline cracking and also a drop in the level of the floorboard sheet floor; however we attributed this to initial settlement in the property. The hairline cracking was what we would expect to find in this age of property
Hairline cracks
Floorboard sheet construction to first floor
When we lifted the carpet we noted
a gap between the floor and the skirting
Characteristics of the property?
One of the characteristics of a modern property construction is dry lining, also known as false wall. This type of construction is now common and has been developed taking into account the improvements required by the Building Regulations with regard to thermal insulation meaning that the property will warm up fairly quickly.
Dry lining
Meeting the building surveyor at the property when possible
We always enjoy meeting our clients at the survey whenever possible as we are able to talk about any plans they may have to alter and amend the property and also to advise on how to solve any problems that we come across.
Humidity controlled extract fans needed in the property
We noted some popping to the plaster in the property. This is where the plaster over the nail head has come away and is often caused by high moisture levels in the property. We recommended to our client that they add humidity controlled extract fans to any rooms that have high moisture levels such as the bathroom, kitchen and any rooms used for laundry. This will help to reduce any condensation in the property.
Extract fans reduce humidity
What do the circles and ovals mean in our reports?
We always include many photos within our reports. Sometimes where there is a problem in the property that we wish to emphasize or highlight we will use circles or ovals to identify this, please see the photo below. If the report, along with our photos, does not explain the problem or characteristics of a property enough then we also have a vast range of sketches that we have had commissioned exclusively for us that we can use in our reports.
Trickle vents
Trickle vents allow air into the property
helping to reduce condensation
Here are some links to some of our surveying articles that we think may be of interest to you:-
Why you have never seen any Building Surveys or Structural Surveys like ours
Condensation and Cold Bridging in a non-traditional construction house
Do estate agents tell the truth or do they just want the house sale?
Happy endings
After receiving our report and discussing the survey with us the client decided to go ahead with purchasing this property as their first home. A few weeks later we received a lovely email from them thanking us for our help and to let us know that they had moved into their new home without any complications.
Compare our Building Surveys but don't compare Apples with Thursdays
If you require a Building Survey or a Structural Survey on a home, house or commercial property we believe as Building Surveyors we have a wealth of experience and expertise that we can utilise to help you.
We are more than happy to email you examples of our Survey reports that we have carried out on similar properties to the one that you are looking to buy although we do appreciate that all properties are unique.
We really believe that you should see what you are getting in the form of an example Survey report before you purchase a property. What's more we are so confident with our higher than average standards that we believe that there is no other comparable survey available in the UK property and surveying market.
We have many other surveying articles on our website
Please have a good look around our website to see how much detail we go into regarding property and its associated problems in our articles. We go into this much depth and detail within our reports as well.
We trust you found the article of use and if you have any experiences that you believe should be added to this article that would benefit others, or you feel that some of the information that we have put is wrong then please do not pause to contact us (we are only human). Your comments will be appreciated.
Always seek professional advice
The contents of the website are for general information only and are not intended to be relied upon for specific or general decisions. Appropriate independent professional advice should be taken before making such a decision.
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