Joshua Weston BSc (Hons) MRICS 
In 2025, space in UK homes is at a premium. With the average cost of moving skyrocketing due to Stamp Duty increases and a shortage of new builds, many homeowners are choosing to expand rather than relocate. According to recent figures, loft conversion enquiries have surged by 94% in 2024 compared to 2023. If you’re … Read more
Two-Storey Extension Costs & Planning: A 2025 Guide for UK Homeowners Why Consider a Two-Storey Extension? Two-storey extensions are a powerful way to increase your living space and property value without doubling your footprint. Whether you’re creating extra bedrooms, expanding your kitchen-diner, or crafting a modern open-plan layout, these extensions provide substantial space at better … Read more
Understanding the dilapidations timeline and process in UK commercial property is essential for landlords, tenants, and property professionals alike. Whether you are preparing for lease-end negotiations or managing ongoing property maintenance, knowing the costs, risks, and best practices can save you time, money, and legal headaches. This guide breaks down the dilapidations process, including costs … Read more
Altrincham is renowned for its charming period properties, Edwardian terraces, and Victorian villas, but purchasing an older home in this area comes with unique considerations. Whether you’re a first-time buyer or a seasoned investor, understanding how home surveys intersect with heritage homes is vital. This guide covers everything buyers need to know about home surveys … Read more
When you’re buying a property, especially for the first time, it’s easy to assume that your mortgage valuation will flag everything important. But that’s a dangerous, and potentially costly, assumption. Your lender’s mortgage valuation is not designed to protect you. It’s designed to protect them. If you’re relying solely on a mortgage valuation report, you … Read more
When it comes to building conservation, especially for heritage or listed buildings, one principle stands above the rest: minimum intervention. But what does this concept really mean, why is it so widely adopted in conservation work, and is it always the best approach? This article explores the cost implications, potential drawbacks, alternative conservation strategies, and … Read more
If you’re buying a home in Ascot, especially in 2025’s competitive market, you might be tempted to skip the survey and fast-track your purchase. But here’s the truth: buying without a proper house survey in Ascot is one of the riskiest decisions you can make especially with the high property values and unique housing stock … Read more
Chemical damp-proofing treatments are widely marketed as quick, affordable fixes for moisture problems in buildings—particularly rising damp. But in truth, they are frequently oversold, poorly applied, and often unnecessary, especially in older or traditionally built properties. In this article, we cut through the sales pitch to explore when chemical damp treatments are truly justified, how … Read more
“Rising damp” is one of the most misused and misunderstood terms in the world of property care and building pathology, especially when it comes to older buildings. Many homeowners, property buyers, and even some less experienced surveyors are led to believe it’s a common and inevitable defect. But is it really? As a Chartered Surveyor, … Read more
Buying a home is one of the most significant decisions you’ll ever make, and in a vibrant city like Manchester, with its blend of historic properties and rapid urban development, it’s more important than ever to make informed choices. As a Chartered Building Surveyor with over a decade of experience across Greater Manchester, I’ve inspected … Read more
TRADITIONAL BUILDING CONSULTANCY. REIMAGINED.
We help people truly understand the buildings they use, whether as an asset, a workplace or a home. Get in touch for your free consultation: reimagine@fourthwallbc.com - 0114 400 0254 - 0161 706 1131
© 2023 Fourth Wall Building Consultancy Limited. Designed by Wildcat Digital.