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

Free phone 0800 298 5424

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?

The history of non traditional building

 

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.

The contents of the web site 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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All rights are reserved the contents of the web site is not to be reproduced or transmitted in any form in whole or part without the express written permission of  www.1stAssociated.co.uk   

 

 

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House and Home Surveys and Useful Information

All you need to know about Building Surveys

Building Control, what do they do?

Designers and Architects will they save me money or will they cost me money

Enviroment, Your Building and Garden Gnomes

Estate Agents help sell houses and work for the vendors

Have a Structural Survey to protect you against structural problems

Home improvements, builder problems and ideas for you on how to solve them

How a Surveyor values a property, Chartered Surveyors and Regulated Valuers

How Chartered Engineers and Building Engineers can help you

Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas

NHBC National House Building Council

Structural Surveys and How We Can Help You

Traditional and Non-Traditional Houses and Mortgage Problems

Valuations and how much is the building worth?

Whats the difference between a Chartered Building Surveyor, Chartered Surveyor and an Independent Surveyor

Useful property problem articles by Chartered Surveyors explaining building issues to avoid

External - Helpful information on building problems on the outside of the property

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Cracking and Movement Problems and Surveying Solutions

Flat Roof Problems, how we can solve them

Foundations and Structures and Settlement and Subsidence and Underpinning

Pitched Roofs Problems and Solutions

Roof Problems

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Windows and Doors and Fascias and Soffits and Wet Rot and Dry Rot and other problems

Internal - House problems we have investigated inside

All you ever need to know about floors

Asbestos in your home, what you need to know

Ceiling Cracks and Structural Problems

Condensation, Damp and Black Mould Problems

Cracking and Movement Problems and Surveying Solutions

Windows and Doors and Fascias and Soffits and Wet Rot and Dry Rot and other problems

Woodworm is it a problem or not? Is it active or not?

Services - Building help and advice on costly services

Drainage, what's underground can affect what's above ground

Heating; I just can't get my house warm enough or alternatively I just can't get my house cool enough

You can't mess around with the electric, you need an expert

 

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Building Terms Explained and Directories

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Dilapidations Help and Advice What is a Dilapidations Notice?

A Beginner's Guide to Dilaps

Damp Mould and Condensation

Dampness Rising Damp Mould Black Mould Condensation

Dilapidations and Negotiations

Dilapidations Claim by a Landlord

Energy Saving what can I do?

Finance what is a Financial Adviser (We are not Financial Advisors)

Fire Risk and Help

Health and Safety Risks

Insurance how do I get the correct property insurance?

Landlords Surveying Advice

Property Investment how can I invest in property?

Property TV Reviews by an Independent Surveyor

Schedules of Condition Leasing a Commercial Property

Scotts Schedule and Section 18 Valuation

Tenants Surveying Advice

Weather how does weather affect my property?

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Reviews from clients on Commercial Building Surveys

Churches and Charities, helpful reviews from our clients

Industrial Buildings and Warehouses and what our clients say about us

Offices Large and Small, reviews and feedback from our clients

Pubs, Restaurants, Hotels and other Leisure facilities we have surveyed over the years

Shops and Retail, helpful reviews from our clients

 

First Time Buyers

Buying a Leasehold or Shared Freehold Home

Buying and Selling Houses for the experienced house and home purchaser

First Time Buyers how do I go about buying my first house and home?

Improve your property knowledge with our presentations on house, homes and commercial property

Building Surveys

Building Surveying Useful Information

Dilapidations

Dilapidations Presentations in Detail

Final Year Building Surveying Exams for University Students or those that would like to know more

How old is your Building? Which era was it built in?

Party Walls

Surveyors and Design Tools

Disputes and Party Walls

Boundary Disputes

Building and Property Disputes

Party Wall Book Reviews

Party Walls Your Rights and Responsibilities

1stAssociated Surveyors Review for Structural Surveys and Building Surveys

Building Surveys, reviews and feedback from satisfied customers

Buy to let property clients, what they say about our structural surveys

Buying at auction, review of the survey

Buying bungalows and retirement properties and how our surveyors can help

Both at work / busy couples, how we can help and some 1stAssociated client reviews

Families with a young person flying the nest, reviews and feedback

First Time Buyers, what they say about us

Listed buildings, structural surveys

Older buildings, a review of buying an older house

Families with children looking for a new home, feedback and reviews

Buying a Non-Traditional Property

Residential Surveys

House and Home Surveys

Commercial Building Surveys

Commercial Surveys

1st Associated Surveyors Are Also Available in the Following Areas:

East Anglia and East

South and South East

West Country and South West

Midlands

North and North East

 

London

London Markets

London Parks

 

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1stAssociated Independent Expert Property Surveyors

Specialists in Home Buyers Reports, Building Surveys and Structural Surveys and Schedules of Condition

All Surveyors are Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors qualified and RICS regulated

and are Members of the Independent Surveyors and Valuers Association

Putting the Client First

We do not accept service of documents by email or fax