Surveyors Guides

Woodworm is the generic term that applies to the wood-eating larva of many species of beetle. It is also the description given to the infestation ...
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Wet rot is the most commonly found type of rot in the home. Whilst easier to treat than its drier counterpart, it can still be ...
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A domestic lift provides homeowners with the means to effortlessly travel between floors and are an alternative to the traditional stair lift, over which it ...
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There are many reasons that you, Father Christmas or the Tooth Fairy might want to creep around your own home when everyone else has gone ...
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Dry rot is something of a misnomer and you may easily be mistaken in thinking that it will only thrive in dry conditions, but ironically ...
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Rising damp can be defined as the upwards flow of moisture through a permeable wall structure. Almost all building materials are, to a certain extent, ...
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The types of work carried out by Chartered Surveyors is varied. Residential Chartered Surveyors inspect properties that are in the process of being bought or ...
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The primary reason for building materials to deteriorate faster than they might otherwise is the influence of water. We look at water ingress - the ...
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An independent Chartered Surveyor will always be happy to discuss and explain which type of survey you need, and give you the advice and explanation ...
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One of the most common defects, found in almost every home in the country to a varying degree, is condensation. Condensation is the term for ...
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Inheritance tax was introduced in March 1986. It is the tax paid on a person's estate when they die, and comprises the property, possessions and ...
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Homeowners, management companies and managing agents of any type of property have the responsibility for ensuring that their property carries the correct level of insurance ...
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As the summer evenings turn slightly chilly and damp with the approach of autumn, it's comforting to imagine a nice relaxing evening in front of ...
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Suspended wooden floors are very often forgotten when it comes to insulating a house. People insulate the roof space, double glaze the windows but forget ...
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The heating bills resulting from another cold winter are a vivid reminder of just how much it costs to keep your home warm. Check our ...
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Most people will have a building survey carried out when buying older property and will be presented with a report detailing the defects within the ...
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Power cuts are a fact of life in many areas of the UK, particularly during periods of inclement weather and often due to circumstances beyond ...
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If your home has even one fuel-burning appliance or heater, or an attached garage or fireplace, you should have a carbon monoxide detector installed on ...
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Have you been seduced by a charming old property that oozes character and appeal, perhaps ripe for development into an exceptional home or investment property? ...
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As summer recedes and we begin to contemplate those long winter nights, it's worth taking a look at the way in which we heat the ...
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Keeping your home's gutters, rainwater downpipes and drains clear and in good condition is by far the best way of ensuring your home stays free ...
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A Chartered Surveyor acts for the buyer of a property and gives an honest professional opinion on the condition of the property. It is not ...
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A Chartered Surveyor may seem a financial extravagance when you are just about to spend a fortune on the biggest investment you have ever made ...
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The exceptionally dry, hot weather we experienced in the summer of 2018 may seem a long time ago now, but there are still signs of ...
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We all have a checklist of requirements when searching for our dream property, but there will also be a list of definite viewing turn-offs that ...
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Ammonia is commonly in use around our homes – but is it safe to use in the home? At a Carlsberg brewery in Northampton in ...
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In May 2018, routine water sample taken by Shropshire Council and Public Health England identified another instance of Legionella at The Feathers Hotel in Ludlow ...
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No amount of preparation in advance can prevent unexpected events during storms, but there are things you can do now that will make handling the ...
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As the Beast from the East arrived in the UK from Siberia, many of us experienced temperatures as low as -8C or even colder. It's ...
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Insurance companies use 'risk-based pricing' to determine how much you should pay for your home insurance premiums. It's worth learning what insurers look out for ...
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Mortgage lenders don't insist that you commission a survey before they will lend you many of thousands of pounds to purchase your new home. But ...
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For those of us lucky enough to own property, it can be easy to forget that the building you call home is also your largest ...
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Drainage faults are a common source of water ingress, so keeping your drainage systems in good order is essential to maintaining a dry house. Potential ...
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If you've noticed the appearance of a dark patch forming in the bathroom, around a window or on a wall, don't ignore it. Mould is ...
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A chocolate box cottage with a thatched roof is the quintessential English home. To make sure your thatch roof doesn't turn your dream house into ...
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Kent Fire and Rescue has published on its Twitter page another in its series of safety videos highlighting the importance of testing smoke alarms. The ...
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We use 70 per cent more water now than we did 40 years ago. On average, we each use 150 litres per day but, when ...
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House plants may be an attractive addition to the home and some have health benefits too, even having the ability to absorb chemicals released by ...
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If you spot any of the problems listed below, and cannot find a reason for them, get specialist help as soon as possible. If it ...
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It is estimated that there are now over 5.5 million properties in England and Wales at risk of flooding. Whether from rivers, the sea or ...
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Purchasing at auction can be a risky business but it is also a really good way of securing a competitive property investment.  But there’s more ...
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The Department for Communities and Local Government has produced the following advice on checking the safety of garden walls. To check whether repairs are necessary, ...
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Most car owners would ensure their vehicle was well-maintained and had an up-to-date MOT, but how many home owners routinely check their houses for maintenance ...
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Homeowners have a responsibility to ensure their home is in the best possible condition; this is especially true for Landlords of Buy-To-Let properties with tenants ...
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