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 hundreds of properties and seen first-hand the costly mistakes buyers often regret after the deal is done.
Here are the top five things Manchester home buyers frequently regret not checking and why it pays to get a proper survey before signing on the dotted line.
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1. Hidden Damp in Victorian Terraces and Converted Properties
What most buyers miss:
Manchester is full of beautiful Victorian terraces and converted mills. While these buildings offer charm and character, they are also prime suspects for hidden damp, particularly the what’s referred to rising damp as well as, penetrating damp from ageing brickwork, or condensation issues in poorly ventilated basements.
Surveyor’s insight:
A fresh coat of paint or recent renovation can mask tell-tale signs of damp. Many buyers rely on a mortgage valuation (which isn’t a survey) and only discover problems later when walls start bubbling or musty smells emerge. I always advise a Level 2 or 3 Home Survey especially in older housing stock common in areas like Chorlton, Levenshulme, and Didsbury.
House viewing Tip:
Check the skirting boards for recent replacements or uneven paint finishes; these are often subtle signs of previous damp remediation efforts.
2. Inadequate or Non-Compliant Loft Conversions
What most buyers miss:
Manchester’s property boom has led many homeowners to convert lofts to gain extra living space. However, not all of these conversions are Building Regulations compliant even if they look professionally done.
Surveyor’s insight:
I frequently come across loft rooms being marketed as “bedrooms” that don’t meet fire safety, structural, or head-height regulations. Buyers end up with unusable space, or worsecostly remedial work to bring it up to code.
Homebuyer Tip:
Ask for a Completion Certificate and architect’s drawings. If none exist, a full structural survey is essential. Pay attention to the staircase design spiral or steep staircases may indicate non-compliance.
3. Shared Walls and “Hidden” Structural Alterations
What most buyers miss:
In many Manchester terraced and semi-detached homes, internal walls have been removed to create open-plan living spaces. But these modifications are often carried out without proper structural support or party wall agreements.
Surveyor’s insight:
Even if there’s no visible cracking, that doesn’t mean structural integrity hasn’t been compromised. Improper removal of load-bearing walls or chimneys can lead to long-term settlement issues, often only spotted years later.
Buyers Tip:
Always ask whether a structural engineer was involved in any major renovations. Lack of documentation should raise a red flag. In some cases, post-purchase indemnity insurance won’t cover defects—only legal claims.
4. Localised Ground Movement and Mining Legacy
What most buyers miss:
Manchester and its surrounding areas, particularly to the north and east (like Oldham, Rochdale, and parts of Salford), have a legacy of historic coal mining. This can cause minor ground movement or even subsidence.
Surveyor’s insight:
This isn’t something you’ll usually see with the naked eye during a viewing. A mining report and local authority searches, combined with an expert surveyor’s assessment, are the only way to identify potential future risks.
Home buyers Tip:
Even if your property isn’t in a known coalfield area, clay-rich soils (common in Greater Manchester) can lead to seasonal movement. Look for cracks radiating from window corners or doors that stick—both are early warning signs.
5. Outdated or Unsafe Electrical Systems
What most buyers miss:
Older homes in Manchester may still have their original wiring—particularly those built pre-1970. Visuals can be deceiving; a modern-looking fuse board doesn’t guarantee the rest of the system is up to modern safety standards.
Surveyor’s insight:
Rewiring a house can cost £3,000 to £8,000 and is highly disruptive. Buyers often assume an electrician will “check it later,” but the time to uncover issues is before exchange of contracts.
House buyer Tip:
If you’re not commissioning a full electrical inspection, look at socket plates and light fittings: yellowing plastic or old bakelite fittings are a red flag. Look for surface-mounted trunking or mismatched wiring types in the fuse box.
Final Thoughts: Why a Proper Survey is Your Best Investment
Many of these issues don’t show up in a mortgage valuation or a standard viewing. That’s why I always recommend commissioning an RICS Home Survey Level 2 or Level 3 Building Survey, depending on the age and complexity of the property.
In a competitive market like Manchester, it’s tempting to rush through the buying process. But skipping a professional survey often leads to far higher costs—both financially and emotionally—down the road.
As a Chartered Building Surveyor, my role isn’t just to find faults—it’s to help you buy with confidence, knowing exactly what you’re getting into.
