How to Maintain a Listed Building
June 12, 2013If you come into possession of a listed building, you will be taking on a fair bit of responsibility. This type of construction is a part of our heritage, which means we have a duty to preserve it for future generations to enjoy. The work involved in maintaining a listed building does not need to be excessive, especially if you enlist the help of an expert company like Marches Conservation Services. Here are a few suggestions for how you can go about maintaining this type of property:
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.
New Study Reveals That Building Surveys Could Save You Thousands
May 29, 2013Last month, the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) revealed the results of their annual UK Housing Market survey, and it made for an interesting read. Continue reading →
Summers almost here!”
May 28, 2013Housing market has woken up somewhat with more survey enquiries from Shropshire. Current projects reaching completion are extensive improvements to a listed timber framed farmhouse at Moccas with very green credentials, solar PV and ground source heat pump energy sources and conversion work to former chapel in Yarpole. Tenders are out for extensive structural repairs to a Bircher property following a road traffic accident. Work is also well in advance for listed building and planning applications for two barn conversions and new housing in Little Dewchurch. Contact Marches Conservation by email for free informal advice and fee quotes .
Going Green: How Pre-Purchase Surveys Can Help You Create An Efficient Home
April 29, 2013With energy prices shooting up year on year, and more and more people looking to cut costs when it comes to renovating or maintaining their homes, there’s never been a more important time to opt for pre-purchase home surveys and building assessments.
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.
What Can Happen Without a Pre-Purchase Survey
April 26, 2013When looking for a property, added extras such as surveys can seem like a nuisance that you would rather not pay for. Sometimes our surveyors come away from a property with a sound knowledge that the building is safe and there are no issues that need attention. However, many properties can be deceiving and from first glance can seem up to standard when actually underneath the glossy exterior disastrous problems can be lurking. Continue reading →
Buying A House: The Importance Of Pre-Purchase Surveys
February 25, 2013Buying a home can be an incredibly exciting and stressful experience in equal measure. On the one hand it’s fantastic to be on the journey to create a new home, but on the other hand the logistics of making sure everything goes swimmingly can be incredibly daunting.
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.
Buying A Listed Property: What You Need To Know
January 31, 2013Buying a listed property can be a great way to buy a home that has character, is completely unique and full of charm. But, unlike buying a modern build, there are a number of things to be aware of, particularly those with legal implications, that you should look into and consider before buying what you think to be your dream home.
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.
Projects Coming Soon
October 22, 2012Stay tuned for some of our latest and greatest projects.
Welcome!
October 22, 2012Welcome to the new Marches Conservation Site – Please keep visiting for our recent news and details of recent projects which we have completed. Please feel free to contact us if you have any queries about any of the services which we can offer.