Top 5 Things Every Homeowner Should Know About Their Property
Owning a home comes with a ton of responsibility. That’s why it’s a good idea to familiarize yourself with everything on the property so that you can stay on top of essential maintenance and upkeep. When you own a home, it seems like there’s always some expense coming up. Whether it’s a required plumbing repair... Read More →
Help! What’s Covered Under Home Insurance?
The most expensive purchase you’ll likely ever make is buying a home. Home insurance gives you peace of mind that if something goes wrong, you’ll be able to fix or replace it. However, it’s essential to understand what your policy will and will not cover. There are two types of home insurance to consider: Buildings... Read More →
What Happens To A Property When The Owner Passes Away?
When someone passes away, their home is generally the most valuable item left in their Estate. What happens to the property depends on how the deceased owned it and what the Will states should happen (if there is a Will). Dealing with the deceased’s property can seem complicated and a little overwhelming, especially when dealing... Read More →
Subsidence: Why Insurance Claims Spike During the Summer
Several big-name insurers have reported subsidence incidents are up 20%, causing a spike in insurance claims. The reason for this was due to the hotter than typical summers we have been experiencing. Read on to find out how the subsidence damage claims are linked to our hot summer. As the UK’s building stock is mainly older buildings,... Read More →
What’s a Homebuyer’s Report?
An RICS HomeBuyer Report, or a homebuyer’s report, is a survey recommended for homebuyers in the UK. In March 2010, it replaced the Home Buyer Survey and Valuation. Why Do I Need A Homebuyer’s Report? A homebuyer’s report helps home buyers make an informed decision regarding their house search. The report will identify potential structural... Read More →
What Causes Moisture in Buildings?
One of the most common causes of moisture in buildings is penetrating dampness. It includes any damp which has penetrated the building; however, it also provides plumbing leaks. On one of our building surveys in Kingston, we saw the causes of penetrating dampness from a cavity wall (generally post the 1920s). Penetrating damp from outside... Read More →
11 Common Defects in Older Homes
A large portion of older buildings, such as Georgian and Victorian houses, were designed to be breathable. Lime mortar and clay bricks were very popular in the Georgian and Victorian periods. These materials are permeable by nature, meaning when the water hits the external envelope can be absorbed and evaporated. Combined with the use of... Read More →
Case Study: Edwardian Cottage Burst Pipe in Roof Space
One of our Surrey building surveyors carried out a building survey for an Edwardian cottage, in which there was an extensive amount of dampness. We tested for damp (which we do in all building surveys) assessed the repair property. There was also another significant defect in rotten timber windows in which there was evidence of... Read More →
Benefits of Building Inspections and Surveys for Homeowners
The responsibility of building your dream home does not end with the completion of its construction. Once you’ve moved into your house will need to be regularly maintained so that its life can be maximized. Being a layman, everything in the house might seem perfect, as it is difficult to gauge the damages deep inside.... Read More →