Whether you’re a fan of traditional architecture and design or you want to buy a fixer-upper to put it back on the market, old homes bring numerous challenges that you should be aware of. Not only can specific problems cost you a fortune to fix, but they can also endanger your health and safety. Therefore, …
What to Look Out For if You’re Buying an Old House Read More »
Pitched roofs are the most common types of roofs found on buildings. They are most often used because they effectively shed water, whereas the other type of roofs, such as a flat roof, aren’t. A pitched roof is most likely to be found on the main buildings on most domestic properties. Â Types of Pitched …
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, …
Subsidence: Why Insurance Claims Spike During the Summer Read More »
Most of the time, mortgage lenders will request a Building Survey report for insurance purposes; this is mainly to ascertain significant defects that would not be covered in their insurance policy for the property.  Moving into a new home can be an extremely stressful period in a person’s life. With current values in the property market, …
RICS Building Survey: Why It’s Essential for Home Buyers Read More »
An 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. Â 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 …
If you live in a semi-detached or terrace house, then you share a wall (or walls) with your neighbour. That wall is known as a party wall. Party walls usually separate buildings belonging to different owners but could include garden walls built astride a boundary – known as party fence walls. Where a wall separates …
Top 5 Things About Your Party Wall Agreements You Need to Know Before Renovating Read More »
A house survey is a professional inspection of a property’s condition and identifies any potential buyer issues. It’s completed by a surveyor who visits the property, carries out an assessment, and prepares a report outlining any problems they’ve found. It’s an excellent way to avoid unexpected repair costs. Getting a survey for a house or …
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 …
Exceptional rental properties are a dime a dozen nowadays, and the industry is quickly becoming oversaturated and highly competitive. Nowadays, prospective tenants have plenty of options to choose from, so making your rental property stand out in functionality and aesthetic can be quite a challenge; that’s why renovating the interior and the exterior is one of the …
Property Renovations That Add Value and Attract Tenants Read More »
What are Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs)? An EPC is a certificate that rates how energy efficient a house or building is. By law, all sold, rented, or leased facilities must have an EPC, which will last for 10 years before it has to be renewed. Â It will tell you roughly how expensive property will …
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