Tag: rics survey

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Other Residential Advice

Why work with us

why solicitors work with us

We’ve just made building surveys easier.

The property transaction process in England and Wales can be protracted to put it lightly, tedious in some cases, to be frank. This is true not just for buyers, but solicitors, agents and financial advisors.

Issues in the process often come down to a lack of communication between all those involved causing delays at best case and costing money in a worst case.

At Fourth Wall Building Consultancy, we’ve created a new way of working and bespoke reporting format to solve this problem. We’re a team of dynamic RICS Chartered Surveyors that’s seeking to remove the antiquated ways of the progression and create innovative surveys that work for all those involved in the property buying process.

We call this ‘The Fourth Wall Standard’. In short, our standard makes understanding property more straightforward, jargon free, and accessible to property buyers, thier solicitors, conveyancers, estate agents and mortgage advisors.

We’ve designed our Executive Summaries within our Bespoke RICS bench marked Reports specifically to help solicitors, property buyers and mortgage brokers save countless valuable working hours, reduce the risk of errors, and improve their services.

The report contains information ranging from property descriptions and urgent defects to regulatory compliance issues and legal matters we have noted. All clearly outlined with any recommended further investigations based on the findings of our inspection.

All accessible at the front of the report, so within a few minutes you know exactly what you need to be focusing on.

What’s included in a Bespoke Fourth Wall Building Survey?

Our Executive Summary’s prevent you from having to search through every detail of the survey report just to find the information that’s relevant to you. Our reports are detailed yet concise, easy to understand yet actionable. In short, our Home Survey and Building Survey Reports are broken down into four main categories:

Introduction

We’ll summarise all the key details you need to know about your client’s property, including its age, size, outdoor areas, and number of rooms.

Overall Summary of Building Fabric & Services

We highlight all urgent defects and safety risks to occupants in our reports so that you can take fast action for the sake of your clients.

Regulatory Compliance

We outline our overall comments of Planning Requirements for development, including whether the property is Grade Listed or located in a Conservation Area; National Park, or Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

We also provide comment on works to the property which would require Building Regulations approval, whether any documentation was already available to us, or where further investigations are required.

We also outline any work to the property which would fall within the Party Wall Etc. Act 1996, whether any documentation was already available to us, or where further investigations are required.

Lastly, we’ll comment on any other relevant legislation which may require further documentation, depending on the type or use of the property, for example Flats or House of Multiple Occupation (HMO).

Legal Matters

We clearly outline legal issues noted as part of our inspection including potential boundary discrepancies, recommended warranties, guarantees, leasehold considerations, right of way and easement queries specific to the property.

Further Investigations

We clearly outline further investigations relating to defects identified within the main body of the report, so you can immediately see what should be actioned next.

More solicitors, mortgage advisors and agents are using our surveying services

Save Time and Money

Our RICS Level 2 & 3 Surveys are tailored to each property, providing clear and jargon free advice on a range of issues from the everyday to the complex. Our surveyors are trained to present issues in context to ensure our clients and their advisors gain a thorough understanding and issues aren’t blown out of proportion.

The Fourth Wall Standard Executive Summaries are designed to give direct access to the key issues, without having to spend hours reading through very long and detailed reports to find the parts relevant to you.

Clear, Straightforward Communication

We’ll work directly with you to provide a copy of the report and answer any questions directly to ensure matters are dealt with efficiently to avoid delays or miscommunication. All documentation relating to a survey is available from anywhere with our client portal.

Better outcomes and more completed transactions

We believe we’re here to enable people to buy property, not slow things down, create stress or scare people. Pragmatic, measured advice accessible to all is what’s needed to keep the many wheels of a transaction turning. Our bespoke reporting and post survey support ensures information is easy to find when its needed, giving buyers reassurance when they need it.

Learn more and see how we can work together

If you’re tired of seeing long, convoluted and often boring building surveys; slowing things down, difficult to understand without clear direction. Give our team of expert, independent surveyors a call today, or drop us an email to see how we can bring property surveys into the 21st century.

Get in touch ➡️
contact us via reimagine@fourthwallbc.com / 0161 706 1131 / 0114 400 0254.
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Beginners Guide Residential Advice Tips

Common Issues: an essential guide for homebuyers

common house defects

We all know buying a house can be stressful, and it’s the biggest purchase we’ll make in our lives, so you need to know your time and money is being put into a sound investment. Whilst some buyers may be tempted to forego a building survey in the hope of saving some money, gaining a full understanding of your property and being made aware of any issues from a Chartered Surveyor is so important, and likely to save you a lot more money in the long run with research finding that 20% of buyers who don’t have a building survey pay £6,000 in unexpected repairs.

Damp

This is a common one and something we see in a lot of properties, but it’s not to be feared. There are a number of different types and causes of damp, but there are also plenty of remedial options.

Rising damp is often found in walls at ground floor level whilst penetrating damp can be located anywhere on a property, usually in an exposed location on the elevation or in close proximity to a rainwater pipe or other water source.

We’ll conduct moisture tests as we investigate the cause of the damp and will always explain your options. If damp is severe and we can’t gain access to enclosed parts of the construction which we suspect are at risk of decay, we may advise a further intrusive survey is undertaken by a specialist damp and timber surveyor.

Rot

You may have heard of some rot horror stories, but we believe there’s always a solution. Dry rot is able to form anywhere where you have timber, high moisture levels and air, and if untreated can develop into a costly issue. It’s one of the most feared types of rot for home owners as it has the ability to spread and develop across materials such as brick and in its final stages spores become airborne to other areas of the house not previously affected. Wet rot is usually confined to the timber where high moisture levels are present, typically rafter feet, joist ends and poorly maintained external joinery such as fascia’s or soffits. Building Surveys are non-intrusive so if we believe the issue needs a further intrusive investigation, we’ll recommend this within your report.

Our reports will highlight any rot issues we find, guiding you through your options and providing budget costs so you understand how much the issue may set you back. However, with any big  hidden issues found, it may be time to negotiate with your vendor on the costs of repair.

Failed pointing & spalling brickwork

We’ve seen this one in a lot of properties. When external walls comprising a traditional brick or stone are repointed using a modern cement mortar rather than an original lime mortar, moisture trapped in the walls has to escape via the bricks themselves as cement does not provide the porosity and flexibility needed. This can result in deterioration of the mortar and damaged or spalling brickwork. It’s not one to worry about too much, provided its dealt with in a timely manner to prevent further damage to the masonry, but it’s really important to use the right materials and budget for this in future repair works.

Structural integrity

Small cracks are often nothing to worry about and usually just a sign of historic movement or deferential settlement, and many localised settlement issues can be related to other defects we’ll identify, however your surveyor will highlight and explain any potential signs of more significant structural movement or subsidence.

The vast majority of structural cracks can be identified and diagnosed by our surveyors within our initial report without further investigation. However, If we do identify anything potentially more serious, we’ll recommend an investigation be undertaken to assess the severity of any issues on the structural integrity of the property.

Roof condition

A roof is designed to last for a number of years, and when repairs are needed, some key elements can likely be retained. We’ll highlight any visible issues with the roof, from slipped or damaged tiles and vegetation build up, to leaking joints and repairs needed to the underlay, and outline how much repairs are likely to cost. Your roof might not be leaking now, but it might be nearing the end of its useful life and soon become a headache, our surveyors provide advice around the approximate age of the covering and a guide on its expected longevity, so you know what you might have to deal with in the long term.

Trees & invasive species

We don’t just look at the building, we also take a look at external areas such as the garden, boundary walls and fences, gates, patios and outbuildings. We’ll include any issues and remedial works needed to these areas within our reports, and will also make comment on potential for issues caused by large trees in close proximity to the building where the roots could cause damage, and if we spot invasive plant species such as Japanese Knotweed or Giant Hogweed. These can be difficult and costly to get rid of, and can cause damage to buildings and gardens if not dealt with, so are important to be aware of before purchasing the property.

Asbestos & deleterious materials

Some issues just can’t be seen to the untrained eye, and especially not on a 15 minute house viewing, but our surveys will highlight materials that can be dangerous to health if not dealt with correctly, such as asbestos, lead pipework and horsehair plaster reinforcement. Although these materials haven’t been used in homes for many years, they are still in place in many older properties and it’s important to understand how they should be dealt with. Managing or removing deleterious materials can be costly and detrimental to the enjoyment of your new home.

Vermin & insect damage

It’s not a nice one to think about but at some point a property may have had a few visitors, be that rats and mice, bees and wasps, or wood boring beetle. We’ll highlight any areas where vermin and insects may have made a home, and if there’s an active infestation we’ll provide the advice you need to get it sorted

Radon risk

The bubble bath we hear you ask. No, that’s Radox. Radon isn’t an issue a lot of homebuyers think of but areas of high radon can be harmful to health and increase the risk of lung cancer. We’ll include the radon risk for your property within your report, and highlight any testing needed and your next steps if there’s a high concentration noted.

What to do if these are highlighted in your survey?

Don’t worry, it’s good to have these issues uncovered now and we’ll be here every step of the way. If we find any issues during your survey, we’ll explain the cause of this in full and thoroughly guide you through the remedial options, providing costings and detailing your next steps.

The Fourth Wall standard

Fourth Wall Building Survey reports are bespoke, developed with you in mind and designed to ensure you fully understand your property and can move forward with your purchase with confidence. We’re passionate about cutting the jargon and making property accessible, so you’ll be met with an honest personal service throughout your property journey.

Our reports provide a unique insight into your property which other types of report don’t, including mobile and broadband speeds, noise and disturbance data, and budget costs as standard, and we provide it in a format which is easy to understand with photographs throughout.

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Residential Advice

The Fourth Wall Standard

the best homebuyers reports

Of course when purchasing a property, you need a building survey, but we also always advise our potential clients to request an example report. We don’t work from a standard template at Fourth Wall, our reports are bespoke, developed with you in mind. We believe this is what sets us apart.

Our aim is to reimagine surveying, ensuring you gain the clarity needed to move forward with your property with confidence, and providing you with a personal service from start to finish. We’ll issue you a report you can understand and get the most from, because we get that not everyone finds buildings as interesting as we do. You need the facts, you need a clear explanation, and you need the costs. Our reports give you that.

So what makes a Fourth Wall Report really stand out?

Bespoke Reporting

Industry leading detail presented in a language and format we all understand. We’ve cut the jargon and created a bespoke report with our clients’ needs at the forefront.

Executive summary

You won’t find this in most other reports, but Fourth Wall’s bespoke Building Survey and Homebuyers reports begin with an executive summary so you can see our key recommendations and next steps at a glance – you can also send this straight to your solicitor.

Review of mobile and broadband connectivity

We know that staying connected is more important than ever and believe it is a key consideration when buying a property. That’s why we include this review within our bespoke reports as standard.

Noise and disturbance advice

No-one wants to be kept up at night. Uninterrupted sleep and work schedules is going to be essential for you to enjoy living in your new home. Unique to our bespoke report, we provide a review of traffic and noise data for the area and advice regarding noise transference potential based on the age and construction of the property.

Action points & traffic light ratings

Our recommendations come with a traffic light risk rating to easily understand the severity of the defect and when action should be taken, along with action points so you know who needs to take the next steps, be that you, your solicitor or the vendor.

Photographs throughout

Our reports provide a detailed description of the property with photographs provided within the report so you can easily understand what defect we are talking about, when we’re talking about it.

Budget costs

Our Full Building Survey reports provide budget costs as standard, so you can see how much issues will cost and even negotiate the purchase price. Our clients love this, they want to know what the issue is and how to fix it, but also how much it’s going to cost them. In the current climate getting contractors to quote for jobs isn’t easy, especially if you don’t even own the property yet, so budget costs from us really help.

5-day turnaround

Our reports are issued within 5 working days of inspection so you can continue with your property purchase with confidence. A call with the surveyor is also available within 48 hours of the survey taking place to talk through any immediate concerns.

One-to-one professional advice from Surveyors with local knowledge

Our surveyors are all members and associates of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, with all the necessary experience, training and expertise to provide an accurate assessment of your property. We don’t just issue your report and disappear, our surveyors are always here to answer questions and provide guidance.

We have reginal offices in Manchester, Sheffield and Newcastle providing bases for our surveyors across the North of England so we’re always on hand to help you through the property buying process.

To get in touch for a free quote and sample report, drop us a message, give us a call or send us an email: 0161 706 1131 // reimagine@fourthwallbc.com

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Beginners Guide Residential Advice Tips

The House Buying Process

house buying process

After weeks spent scrolling Rightmove and Saturdays spent on house viewings, you’ve finally found a property you LOVE so it’s time to get that offer accepted and move forward with your purchase.

If this is your first home or it’s just been a while since you last sold, we’ve put together a guide to the process of buying a new home to make things a little clearer for you and take some stress away.

  • Search for your new home

Before you begin searching, make sure you’ve saved enough for your deposit, have checked how big a mortgage you can borrow from the bank, and are sure you’ll be able to afford the repayments.

Speaking to a mortgage advisor can really help you understand how much you can borrow, and aid you arranging an agreement in principle from a suitable bank so you understand what price range you can view and how much you can offer.

  • Make your offer and have the house taken off the market

Give as much detail as possible when making your offer. The estate agent will want to know you can definitely afford the offer you’re making, and other factors may be of interest to the seller such as if you’re a first time buyer or if you’re in a chain.

Some agents will do it automatically but others may not so make sure to ask to have the house taken off the market as a condition of your offer. If not, you could end up ‘gazumped’, where another buyer offers more money than you and the seller backs out of your deal.

  • Instruct a conveyancer (solicitor)

Once your offer has been accepted it’s time to instruct a conveyancer and really get the purchase moving. A purchase is typically advised to take 8 weeks but there may be holdups along the way that can make the process longer by a fair few months. We’d advise keeping in regular contact with your solicitor to make sure you know what’s happening and when.

  • Apply for your mortgage

You should already have your mortgage in principle but it’s now time to apply for the real thing. If you’re using a mortgage advisor, they’ll prepare you and ask for the relevant documentation, but if not, ask the bank you’re applying with what you’ll need such as bank statements, pay slips (or accounts if you’re self-employed), identification and proof of deposit.

The bank will very likely carry out a valuation survey at this point, but remember this is not a building survey and will not highlight issues beyond high level observations which might affect the value. The valuation surveyor here is working on behalf of the bank so to get a thorough overview of the property from someone impartial, make sure to instruct a Chartered Building Surveyor.

  • Instruct a building surveyor

Make sure this one is on your list early on. It’s so important to really understand the property you’re buying, this is probably the biggest purchase you’ll ever make. Instruct a Chartered Building Surveyor accredited by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) to conduct a homebuyers report or a full building survey. We have a full guide to which survey is best for you here but do get in touch with any questions.

A Chartered Surveyor will be working for you and only you to ensure you fully understand the property you’re buying and any issues it may have. They’ll spend time at the property conducting a visual inspection of all internal and external areas so they can explain any issues and advise on remedial works. We want to support you as much as we can, so we’ll always offer follow up calls to talk any questions through and advise on your next steps.

Our report may also raise additional queries for your solicitor, or may help them when setting out their enquiries for the seller, so it could be beneficial to instruct your surveyor when you’ve instructed your solicitor. Unlike other reports, Fourth Wall’s bespoke building survey reports include an Executive Summary that can be sent straight to your solicitor so they can see the key findings quickly and raise any necessary enquiries.

  • Discuss the findings of your survey and searches with your solicitor and make necessary enquiries to the seller

Your surveyor may suggest some further enquiries for your solicitor to make, such as boundary walls, historical party wall disputes and planning permission. Our bespoke building survey comes with an executive summary that can be sent straight to your solicitor so they can see issues, remedial works and necessary enquiries quickly and clearly.

  • Hire a removal company

It’s time to get packing! With your survey and searches done, start prepping for exchange and completion by contacting some removals companies. The property market is extremely busy so don’t leave this until the last minute!

  • Pay your deposit, exchange contracts and arrange completion

Once you’ve exchanged, you’re legally bound to the purchase so make sure you’re happy with the enquiries and your understanding of the property before you say yes at this point. This is also a good time to look at buildings insurance as you’ll now have responsibility for the property.

  • Complete on your property, pay your solicitor and stamp duty if necessary, and collect your keys

When you exchange contracts all parties will agree a completion day. This is the most exciting part as you count down the days to the move into your brand new home. The less exciting bit is seeing all that money leave your account, but it’s all worth it!

  • Give yourself time to settle in, and then instruct a surveyor or architect if you’re looking to make changes to your new home

You’ve moved in and started unpacking, but now your mind is racing with all the exciting updates you can make to your new home. Give yourself some time to settle in your home and understand what you’d like from the space, and then get in touch so we can help you design your dream home!

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Beginners Guide Featured Residential Advice

Which survey do I need?

Which RICS Home Survey do I Need?
Our definitive guide to the types of house survey available and which one is right for you.

Intro //

When buying a home, you should be advised by your estate agent and solicitor to get a home or building survey. We’re hoping you already have and that’s why you’re here! All our surveyors are members of the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) so are qualified and experienced to conduct a thorough survey for you.

RICS has done research that found home buyers are often confused by the products on offer and many are not aware of what survey they’ve paid for and what it should include. They’re introducing a new home buyers survey standard to simplify the process and language used in surveys and standardise their format to ensure they are all clear, honest, upfront about costs, and provide definitive value to clients. We’re proud to already adhere to these standards with our Level 2 and Level 3 surveys.

Choosing which survey is right for you and your property can depend on many things, such as if you need detail on costs, the age of your property and its general condition. It’s essentially a health MOT for your house.

Get an instant quote for your property survey here.

What is a Level 2 Homebuyers Survey //

Level 2 surveys, also known as a homebuyers survey, involve an inspection of easily accessible areas of the property and will highlight serious issues relating to the building fabric and services such as gas and electric. This level of survey highlights defects identified but will not provide a detailed analysis, explanation of potential remedial options, or predicted costs.

In our Level 2 surveys, we provide an overview of the condition of the property, what repairs are needed, and guidance on further issues your solicitor should investigate. If your house is a fairly new build, a Level 2 survey should be sufficient as there are unlikely to be significant or historic defects, but in older properties we always recommend a level 3.

What is a Level 3 Full Building Survey //

If you’re looking for something more in-depth with full cost guidance, if the property was built pre-war, or is in a general poor state of repair, we’d suggest getting a Level 3 survey, also known as a full building survey. This survey is much more thorough, will access all areas of the property if possible, and will identify significant repairs and defects outside of routine maintenance. A Level 3 survey will give full details of what the issue is, why it’s an issue, why it’s occurring, what will happen in future if it’s not dealt with, timescales for work to be done, and costs of the work to repair, so you will have full peace of mind of the condition of the property you’re buying.

We think our full building surveys are free, because we’ll provide you with a comprehensive survey from a RICS chartered building surveyor, with clear advice on the property’s condition and costs associated with any defects, so you can negotiate with your vendor on the price of the property, or even help you decide whether to go ahead with the purchase. Have a look at an example of our Level 3 full building survey here.

Why use Fourth Wall //

We guide you through the process, not just provide you with a one-off report. Our small team of knowledgeable surveyors are always at the other end of the phone so you can discuss the findings directly with your surveyor.

Our bespoke reports provide risk ratings and a traffic light system so you can immediately understand what you need to worry about. We remove the jargon and talk to you in a language that everyone understands, and provide photos throughout your report so you can easily reference any issues without any hassle.

Get an instant quote for your property survey here.

Get in touch via our instant quote, or arrange a call with our expert team➡️
contact us via reimagine@fourthwallbc.com / 0161 706 1131 / 0114 400 0254.

Check out our full list of services here or get in touch for a chat.