Surveyor in Richmond: Professional Building Inspections All Over Richmond

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A fresh coat of paint on the walls of a house can hide all sorts of problems – minor cracks can be disguised with filler, old stains wiped out with new paint and crumbling timber look presentable again. This is one of the reasons why some people choose to employ a surveyor in Richmond Futures before deciding on a house purchase – appearance does not necessarily mean condition. The types of homes available throughout the Richmond area vary and you’ll find elegant terraced houses next to converted flats, 1960’s homes and even modern properties.

Each of which have different strengths and weaknesses.

A new apartment may not appear to have too many faults, however an old house that has remained standing for over 100 years can develop a number of “wrinkles” with time. Building inspections should not be an exercise of finding reasons not to buy – the goal is to understand exactly what you are buying behind the front door – any damp, signs of roof wear and tear, movement of walls, lack of insulation or old drains – these will all be a consideration when future expenditure arises. Some may need immediate repairs, others can simply be factored into your ongoing maintenance plan. I have frequently heard clients express the notion that they had a “good feeling” about the house that they were viewing – but houses have been known to be dishonest and what seems level may actually turn out to be slightly so or, on the reverse, an opening window that seems smooth enough in the summer months may actually stick once the winter arrives!

Property has a tendency to be slow to reveal its true character.

The competent surveyor in Richmond knows what to look for in relation to loose roof tiles, damage to guttering and blocked downpipes and how to evaluate for signs of rot in the roof, timbers and stonework. Most of the cosmetic issues identified during a normal house viewing will either have gone unnoticed by prospective buyers or may appear to them insignificant in view of other issues of great interest to them. Some problems such as damage to chimneys or roof construction are obvious during a house viewing however there is a myriad of others which go undetected.

It is common practice for extensions and conservatories to be carried out on properties within the Richmond area and if not done properly can give rise to a host of issues. Identifying signs of movement between old and new structures will alert buyers to potential problems. Small things such as condensations around a skylight, can alert a surveyor in Richmond to a lack of insulation or if there are cracks around a window – these can be down to seasonal movement of the building or may be something more significant.

Building inspections are not solely the domain of the potential purchaser, either, however.

There are many owners in Richmond who have been encouraged by the results of an inspection to invest in pre-emptive repairs to their property, thereby preventing costly future problems down the line. My reports tend not to be alarmist – they tell you what I have found and advise you whether it’s something that requires urgent attention or a minor maintenance job for you to address as and when you see fit. Most properties have something not quite right with them so a degree of balance is always necessary. Having local experience of construction, soil conditions and the general types of houses in the area is a significant benefit when it comes to surveying.

It allows for the identification of trends and patterns and common problems that occur in certain types of properties throughout the borough of Richmond.

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