A Day in the Life of a Chartered Surveyor
In the last 25 years we think we’ve seen every type of property in most areas of London and the Home counties, from 15th century cottages to modern kit houses. Large or small we examine every property from top to bottom and – depending on the type of survey we’re doing – create comprehensive reports on every aspect of the building from the chimney to the cellar.
You want to know if the property is sound. We are the people to tell you. Here are a few examples of the level of detail we could go into:-
- Roof tiles and lead flashing: Properly installed and under normal conditions they should last a lifetime. Our structural survey checks for any damage or poorly installed fixtures. We also check for things like moss build-up as this could cause damp
- Front elevation: If the property has gables or bay windows, we look for any deterioration in the fabric or construction (especially if these have been added after the initial construction)
- Windows: We check that the windows open and close properly with no gaps, and that wooden window frames are not rotting
- Cracks in the walls: These may be caused by subsidence if it’s a major crack, or just shrinkage in the plasterboard joints if it’s a hairline crack. We’ll tell you which
- Asbestos: The presence of asbestos is a serious health risk. We will detect any asbestos and tell you how it needs to be dealt with. This is particularly important if you’re planning to extend the property
- Dry rot: Left untreated, dry rot can seriously destabilise a building. If we detect it we will tell you and advise you how to deal with it
- Damp: We carry two types of damp testing equipment and this is a specialist area for us. We will detect any signs of damp and suggest the right remedial actions
- Roof space: Lofts, attics and crawl spaces can hide a multitude of problems. We will climb up there and find them
- Basement: Like roof spaces basements can usually give tell-tale signs of things like damp movement and sometimes asbestos.
- Woodworm: These can infest wooden timbers and floors and cause serious damage. We will look for the signs and tell you what treatment is needed
But it’s not always bad news! We’ll talk you through our written reports and take as much time as you need to understand the terminology. This means you’ll get a very clear view of the condition of the property, the current state of any defects and, if appropriate, their relevance to the overall valuation.
If you’re not sure which type is suitable for your circumstances, then please contact us and we’ll be happy to chat through the options with you.
