What Every Homeowner Should Know About Subsidence
You notice a hairline crack running across the wall. Then a door that used to close smoothly suddenly sticks. A few weeks later, the gap’s grown wider. At first, it feels like a small issue — maybe just an old house settling. But sometimes, those subtle shifts tell a bigger story. One that starts not […]
A Beginner’s Guide to Building Disputes
Unfortunately, one of the most common issues we see in the construction industry today is disputes over building work. Disagreements between the different parties involved in the project, from contractors and subcontractors, clients, architects and engineers. The disputes that come up during building work can be complex and can be about fairly important things. Delays, […]
What Are the Rules for Outbuildings in the UK?
Adding an outbuilding to your property can be a great way to add extra space, and get some extra functionality too. Especially when more people are working from home than ever before, and looking for better spaces to work in. As surveyors, we’ve seen some truly great outbuildings. We’ve also seen some not-so-great, and some […]
Building Regulations: Here’s What The Law Says You Can (And Can’t) Do
If you’re building a new property, renovating, or planning a home improvement, it’s important to know the legal elements. In the UK, building regulations ensure that structures are safe, sustainable, and suitable for the people who use them. They come from the Building Act 1984, and cover everything from fire safety to energy efficiency. If […]
Wall Tie Failure: What It Means for Your Property
If you have an older property with masonry walls, it’s likely that a surveyor will recommend a wall tie survey. They do this for a very good reason – wall tie failure is a common issue in older homes and can cause serious structural problems if left untreated. But it can be a bit confusing […]
Can Woodworm Damage Your Home?
In the UK we have a huge variety of native wildlife, from the biggest (which is a red deer) to the smallest insects. It’s part of what makes our country so beautiful. But some of the native species we aren’t too fond of are woodboring beetles – also known as woodworm. There are a number […]
An Update on Spray Foam Insulation
In the last few months there has been a lot of information, updates, and talk in the news about spray foam insulation. The government published reports, and this has sparked a lot of debate both in the public and in professional circles about materials and application, as well as spray foam methodology as a method […]
How to Spot and Stop Condensation in Your Home
As the milder weather of autumn fades and the cold snaps of winter make themselves at home, it’s pretty common to see more issues with mould and condensation inside homes and commercial properties. Condensation issues can affect properties of all ages and types – it’s not fussy – and the damage can be devastating. But […]
How do I Become a Chartered Surveyor?
If you have a passion for property, land and the built environment, then a career as a chartered building surveyor might be just for you! It’s a varied career option with lots to learn and a whole lot more to do, which has made it quite a popular option for those with an architectural interest. […]
Japanese Knotweed: Threat to Your Property Value!
When surveying a house, there are a lot of things you’re supposed to look for. Some of those things could be causing problems already or may cause problems in the future. For today’s blog we’re looking at a plant which you definitely don’t want to find on the property or near to it. Specifically, Japanese […]