Why having a structural survey is a good idea,

even in a modern property!

 

When buying a property it makes sense to be aware of any potential problems. This can be true even in a new, modern style property and is why we would recommend that you have an Independent Building survey carried out. Also known as a structural survey this will identify any faults or design issues that could cost you a substantial amount of money to rectify.

Modern style of property

Our Building Surveyors at 1stAssociated.co.uk have a vast knowledge of all styles and eras of property and have carried out all kinds of surveys over the years including, 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.

Free phone 0800 298 5424

Modernist style property with major problems

We visited a modernist ‘Grand Designs' type of building recently to carry out a survey. This property was only a few years old and still within its NHBC warranty although not the initial first two year period of the warranty.

For more information on dealing with the NHBC please see our article on our website.

We believe this property has a metal or concrete frame

 

NHBC - National House Building Council

 

In fact works had already been carried out by the NHBC to part of the terraced area. However, we discovered there are major problems with the building that we will broadly define into three categories.

1.  Design defects

2.  Material defects

3.  Standard of workmanship

 

The Design of the property

Unfortunately no matter how good the quality of the materials or how high the standard of workmanship the design defects in this property will always be a problem. This does give a warning to others not to buy a modern construction property without a structural survey.

Modern design – this property had problems as well

 

Bad advice

Interestingly our client is an ex mortgage consultant who, after a friend and colleague advised that there was no need for a structural survey, purchased the property without a survey. We get the impression he will never purchase a property again without having a structural survey carried out!

 

The problems in more details

We have divided the problems into specific areas.

 

The Roof

Design

The main design problem of the flat roof is that it simply does not have any fall at all which means that water will sit on the roof, known as ponding. Present building regulations and good building practice presently requires a minimum fall of 12 degrees on a flat roof.

The clearing of the box gutters will also be awkward as one of them is literally about 1.5m down the side of the roof meaning it will be very difficult to reach without accessing the neighbouring property.

Flat roof

 

Box gutter (right) and small outlet circled

Box gutter

 

Materials

The material used for the roof is an older style felt, we would today expect to see a high performance felt used or as this is a flat roof we would much prefer to have seen an Asphalt used.

We would have preferred to see an asphalt roof as in this photo

 

Workmanship

The detailing around the outlets was such that the normal 100mm outlet was hidden by the felt.

Small outlet on main roof

The Walls

Detailing

The problems with the walls start with the roof and the cladding panels, both of which allow water to discharge down the side of the walls. This has meant that the walls have absorbed the dampness and now moss, mould and pattern staining is covering some of the brickwork. We can also see some cracking in the brickwork that we believe is related to this.

Cracking in brickwork

 

Materials

All the materials are of a satisfactory standard but they have not been used well.

 

Workmanship

We find it hard to understand how any good tradesperson would have carried out this work as it can quite easily be seen and anyone who understands their trade would realise the consequences of this.

 

Tanking and dampness coming up from the ground

Unfortunately it looks like the tanking which is a way of sealing the basement/ lower ground floor has not been successful. There are three basic ways of carrying out tanking please see our article below

Resolving dampness in your basement?

 

Many other problems in the property

There are also numerous other problems in the property. We were given a sheet with fifty plus problems on it from our clients. We feel we must add that there is nothing worse than owning a problem property as you are actually living in the problem itself.

 

What to do next?

Our client was at their wits end in this case and although they may indeed have a claim via the NHBC or via their solicitor with regards to the architect and the builders all they simply want to do is resolve the issues in their house. In terms of cost it is going to be in the six figure bracket to resolve problems in a property that is only a few years old.

 

Independent Building Surveyors

We are experienced Independent Building Surveyors who are knowledgeable in carrying out structural surveys on all types, styles and eras of buildings. If you are looking to buy a property it makes sense to have a structural survey carried out to make sure you do not come across any unexpected problems. Please phone us for a friendly chat on 0800 298 5424.

 

All rights reserved by 1stAssociated.co.uk

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 

 

building engineers

Home Buyers Reports Property Surveys - why we're the best. Engineers Reports
© Copyright 1stassociated.co.uk

1stassociated-logo-for-footer IVSA-badge IVSA-putting-client-first call-us-for-footer

We have thousands of free property articles to help you - or call us freephone on 0800 298 5424

We have been working in the property industry for many years and have been
providing free property articles for over ten years. All for free and to help you with buying your next property.

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

Chimney issues and problems

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

Wall Problems

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

 

Commercial Property Services

Building Terms Explained and Directories

Commercial Property Surveys

Commercial Structural Surveys

Leisure Facilites

Offices Large and Small

Shops and Retail

Warehouse and Industrial Buildings

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?

Flooding

Rain

Snow and Ice

Strong Winds

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

 

Wales

Areas of Britain

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