Regularly Inspect the Building

It is usually the case that the sooner you spot a problem, the better the outcome. If you catch something early enough, it will often mean that you can avoid paying for costly repairs later on. Probably the best way to go about your inspections is to create a checklist as this will not only make it easier to remember what needs to be done, but it can also save time.

If you are a fan of modern technology, you will find that there are many checklist apps available for a variety of devices. It is also important to ensure you make a schedule for your inspections and try to stick to this.

Seek Professional Help and Guidance

A listed building can be seriously damaged if maintenance or repair tasks are carried out by people who do not know what they are doing. It is important that you seek professional help and guidance, which is where we at Marches Conservation Services come in as we are able to offer the specialised care and attention that will be required when dealing with this type of property. Our team members have both the knowledge and experience to suggest traditional repair options that will fit in with the character of the building perfectly.

Learn as Much as You Can About Your Property

Most of us lead busy lives, but it is important that you learn as much as you can about your property, and there are resources, such as the English Heritage website, which offer plenty of useful information. It is also recommended that you find out as much as you can about the building’s history – this is likely to motivate you to do all you can to preserve it. You should be able to find out more about the history of your listed building by visiting the local library or examining the records held at the National Archive.

If you have any concerns about how you to go about preserving a listed building, please contact us here at Marches Conservation Services.We offer listed building surveys in Ludlow and the surrounding areas and  we will be happy to go over your options with you and answer any questions.

The survey showed that those who are foregoing a property survey when buying a house are winding up with an average repair bill of around £5,750 as problems with the property as revealed later in the process. And that figure does not take into account any interior maintenance – it is solely structural work required to ensure the house is liveable.

RICS surveyed over 1000 house hunters across the UK, and while 94% agreed that getting a survey done before buying a property is important, one in three of the participants admitted to not having one. A fifth of those said that they had bought a house which they later regretted due to unforeseen faults and issues with the property.

Moving house is an expensive business, and people may be forgiven for trying to save funds in the current economic climate by skimping on a building survey. However, it is just not worth the risk; looking at the figures made public by RICS, failing to have a property survey carried out could cost you dearly in the long run. In fact, RICS say that the current financial state makes it even more vital to to invest in a building survey, to avoid entering into a large transaction without being fully aware of exactly what you are purchasing.

Here at Marches Conservation, I offer pre-purchase building surveys throughout Shropshire and the surrounding areas. As an accredited member of RICS, when you come to Marches Conservation for your building survey in Hereford, you can rest assured that I will fully assess your property and ensure that you are making a worthy investment. To find out more, call 01568 780761 or contact me online.

By choosing our professional and impartial services here at Marches Conservation, we’re able to advise you on any safety or structural concerns and what risks they pose including any issues that might pose problems with energy efficiency. As well as providing an assessment, we can also offer advice on the most appropriate ways the problem should be rectified – before you buy.

Ensuring Listed Buildings Are Up To Code

We’ve already talked before about the importance of pre-purchase surveys and what you need to know when buying a listed property, but this is particularly important if you want to ensure an energy efficient home that doesn’t drain away your income with higher-than-necessary utility bills.

The importance of having a pre-purchase home survey carried out for listed buildings is that the current owner of the property is legally responsible for ensuring that proper maintenance work is carried out.

For example, double glazing is (in virtually all cases) not allowed in listed buildings, despite the energy efficiency benefits it would bring. Instead, secondary glazing would need to replace this to ensure that the building meets the code for listed buildings before you made the purchase.

Additionally, our pre-purchase surveys can help spot any structural issues or causes for concern and offer advice on the most appropriate way to solve these problems while abiding by listed building regulations.

Identifying Issues Before You Buy

While they are our specialty, our home survey services are not strictly limited to the assessment of listed buildings. Whether the home you’re looking to buy is listed, recently converted or a fairly modern build, we can investigate the building to look for any areas of concern – whether they’re structural, or affecting your home-to-be’s energy efficiency.

For example, something simple like the improper installation of new windows could leave gaps or structural faults that could see your heating bills be sky high as you attempt to heat a room that has issues with proper sealing and insulation. By having an assessment carried out before buying, you’d be able to request that it be corrected or negotiate a lower price for the property to counter the cost of repair.

If you’re looking to buy a property in Hereford, Leominster, Ludlow or any other surrounding areas, and require a professional and accurate pre-purchase home survey then look no further than our services at Marches Conservation can help.

By providing a general assessment or an in-depth full structural survey, whichever is required, you’re able to make an informed decision about the property you’re considering to buy and how best to improve any issues it may have. To arrange a consultation, or your home survey, call us today on 01568 780761, or contact us instantly via our website.

Down the Drain

There are many ways in which a buildings drainage system can become a huge problem for new buyers. Over time, systems can develop problems due to design faults or simply wear away with the years. Cracks and loose joints can cause leaks which can be potentially lethal and damage can quickly spread throughout the house. Roots from large trees can also cause significant blockages within a draining system and cost thousands of pounds to treat. The majority of these problems can be sought out by a surveyor saving a huge amount of money and stress.

Don’t be shocked!

Electrical wiring is one of the most common areas in which surveyors find problems. The more electrical gadgets you own, the more you want to trust that your wiring is up to scratch in your home. Fires can quickly appear if bad wiring is an issue and even with a fully powered smoke alarm and quick reactions, this can still cause a huge amount of damage and can be potentially fatal.

Up in the Clouds

When viewing a house for the first time or even for second or third viewings one thing you may have trouble seeing is the roof and any damage that could be hidden from view. Even the smallest of problems could end up losing you a large amount of money as heat can escape rapidly causing significantly higher heating bills. Larger issues can cause leaks, insect or animal infestations and even structural problems. The roof is a part of a survey that is high on the list of our priorities and with a trained eye we can offer you reassurance and advice.

If you would like to enquire about a building survey in Hereford, Ludlow or Leominster then call Marches Conservation on 01568 780761 or contact us via the website.

One nightmare scenario is that you buy your dream house and structural issues or poor renovation work cause major issues for you – leaving you to organise repair work and pick up the potentially hefty bill. That’s why here at Marches Conservation we stress the importance of having a building survey carried out before you buy a property, as it can avoid potential headaches later down the line.

Avoid Hidden Structural Issues

Both modern and older buildings alike can have structural or safety issues, whether it’s due to poor renovations and construction or simply a state of disrepair, and it is vital that you’re aware of these problems before you buy a property. Assuming that a modern or recently converted property will have no faults is a fatal mistake, as issues may have cropped up since construction and renovation work may have been carried out to poor standards or with low-quality materials.

Even something simple such as badly installed windows can cause problems with insulation, water penetration and security. Having a pre-purchase survey carried out will make you aware of these issues before committing to buy, and ensuring that the current owners address the problem either with repair work or a reduction in price.

Essential For Older Buildings

Due to the age of some buildings, as well as their often non-standard constructions, a full building survey is absolutely vital to ensure that you know what you’re buying. In the case of listed buildings, you inherit the legal responsibility for maintaining the building’s structural integrity. You will also become responsible for correcting inappropriate repair or alteration which had no formal consent.

Once you own the building, its liabilities become your own and it will be up to you to organise repair work – and pay for it, too. That’s why a professional survey is absolutely imperative before you buy an older or listed property; it is the responsibility of the current owner to bring the building up to scratch. By having a building survey conducted on an older or listed property before you buy, the current owners can be required to have any necessary repairs carried out, or allow an appropriate sum off the price to cover it. Where alterations to a listed building are identified, the Vendors can be asked to provide confirmation from the local authority conservation department that the work is formally approved by listed building consent or by letter from the conservation officer. In this way you can be assured that you’re not going inherit any major problems with your ‘new’ old property.

If you’re looking to buy a property, new or old, in the Shropshire, Herefordshire, Powys or West Worcestershire areas then give us here at Marches Conservation a call. Our building surveyors in Leominster are able to carry out professional surveys to make you aware of any potential problems, big or small, with your prospective new home. Call us today on 01568 780761 to discuss how we can help you.

You should always be aware that the listing of the building covers the inside and out of the property, as well as the area around the building – this is applicable to all listing Grades, so be sure you consult a surveyor and your local council’s Conservation Officer.

Look Out For Unauthorised Work

Before you buy a listed building it’s always vital that you ensure any work done on the property is in line with changes approved by your Conservation Officer. It’s important to note that you inherit any liabilities to bring existing work up to scratch as soon as you buy the property – before you buy, it is the current owner’s responsibility, so stress that they bring any work up to code, even if it wasn’t carried out by them.

Employ A Professional Surveyor

Having an experienced listed building surveyor carry out an assessment of the property that you’re looking to buy is vital to ensuring a smooth, stress free transition. An independent survey will help consider the condition of the building to ensure it’s in line with the requirements of the Conservation Officer and safe enough for you to move in.

By choosing us here at Marches Conservation, we are able to help identify any number of areas of concern, and help ensure that the building is both structurally sound and, as well as identifying any unauthorised work that need altering. We can also advise on possible repair and maintenance costs, as well as helping choose materials to suit your budget while complying with the requirements of the local council.

If you’re looking to buy a listed property and need advice on repairs or insurance, or need a comprehensive survey, then we can help. Call us today on 01568 780761 for professional advice and quotes for all our listed building services.