Getting a property anywhere in the world is not that easy because you really have to dig deeper and find out major issues to make sure you are not investing in the wrong place. You have to really check with professionals before you invest your money into anything because if you do not do that the right way it is going to cost you more than just money. Different areas have different issues with properties that one must know about if they want to make a safe choice.

Today in the article below, we are going to talk about some of the most common building defects that people get to come across when purchasing London properties. We will mention all these issues that every owner must watch out for so that their money is not spent in the wrong property.

If you go through the article in detail, you will get to know what some things are that you should be conscious of before making the purchase. So without any further delay, let’s dive right into the details so you can know everything thoroughly.

Damp Issues

One of the first issues that we have to talk about is damping because the properties in London commonly have this problem. It happens because the weather in London is like this and also the buildings have been built really long time ago and it becomes a problem in that way also. In some cases, the water seeps through the building, and it caused dumping and moulding issues, which is really troublesome because it directly affects the integrity of the structure.

Another reason why it happens is that the London properties do not have proper ventilation and it becomes a reason why moisture gets stuck within the properties. If you do not get these things checked on time, it can become a headache for you later on.

Structural Cracks

The next problem that everyone needs to get checked when they are purchasing a property in London is the structural cracks. It is something that you may not get to see directly and upfront because it may not be obvious but once you call a professional, you will get to see these things in detail. 

It can be because of different reasons like subsidence heave etc. The place well that is used in London is the main culprit due to which this problem occurs and you should always get it checked. It is definitely going to be the right step towards any purchase that you are going to make in London relevant to properties.

Roof Defects 

A roof defect is something that you cannot take for granted because if it becomes serious, it can damage the whole property and it can even become hazardous for you. If you feel there are any missing or cracked tiles, make sure to get them checked right away because if it is because of a problem in the roof, it can cause damage right away.

It often happens because the properties are really old and they were built years and years ago and that is exactly why you need to get everything checked in detail. It can also cause water damage if not treated on time.

Timber Decay

It is important to know that the older properties in London have timber structures which means that there are more chances for timber decay and it can again become a serious problem for you. There are fungal cases that are present when the overall conditions are damp. 

You have to check for it in specific areas like lofts and basements because these are the places where the ventilation is almost zero and it is the best place for fungus to grow. If you do not get it checked or you do not check it yourself, it can literally eat the whole property and you will not be able to do anything about it.

Outdated Plumbing and Electrics

One of the most common problems that people often face when they purchase properties in London is that the plumbing and electrics are extremely outdated. This means that they will stop working in the middle of the day just because you were careless when you were planning on purchasing the property. Make sure you get each thing checked when it comes to electrics which means everything that works on electricity should be thoroughly assessed.

Apart from that just as we have mentioned above there are also common problems relevant to plumbing in London properties and you should never take them for granted. If you get these things surveyed in the beginning, they are going to definitely save you a lot of money.

Defective Downpipes

If there is one thing that people do not want in their properties, then it has to be defective downpipes also known as clogged gutters. These can literally become a problem in your life because they are extremely dirty and they make the whole proper smell really bad. Not only that if the water gets into the foundation of the property, it can damage the whole property.

Before you own any property, make sure that you check the downpipes thoroughly to make sure there is no clogging and that it is also safe to be used in the future.  If you cannot check these things on your own, then it is better to call a professional to do that for you.

Usage of Asbestos

We all know that in earlier times, there was a common use of asbestos in properties because people did not know that it could be dangerous to their lives. The same happened in the properties built in London because there was the use of asbestos in the materials and people were not aware that it can become hazardous to their lives.

You have to make sure that you get it thoroughly assessed by a professional to know that there is no usage of asbestos in the property because it can become damaging for you. Especially if you have any sort of allergies or any lung problems then it is important for you to get these things assessed.

How To Identify These Issues?

All of this leads to the next question, which is how you identify these issues and what will help you know all these crucial details. We will help you with everything below so you can get these things assessed.

Visit the Property

One of the most common mistakes that people often make is that they do not visit the property on their own, rather their life fully in pictures. If you do this then you will have nobody to blame if there is something wrong with the property because you did not take a step forward and get everything checked. Always make sure to visit the properties that you think or plan on buying because that is what can bring you the perfect property. Do not ever neglect when it comes to checking the property yourself because it is going to save you from a lot of problems for sure.

Call For Professional

The next thing that we would like to suggest to everybody is that even though you’re saying that you do not need to call professionals well you definitely do. When it comes to purchasing London properties the way they can be assessed by the surveys you can never really do that.

They are well-informed about all the issues that occur commonly in these properties and they are going to check for everything to make sure you’re making the right purchases. You will have to spend a little money but know that it is definitely going to save you a lot of money in the future so you should not think twice before taking a survey.

Check all the Documents

The last thing that may not be very relevant to these defects but still very important is to check all the documents that are related to that property. When you go through these documents you will get to know about everything before the purchase and it is definitely going to come in handy and will be useful for you for sure. Ask the owners to provide you with all sorts of documents before you make the final purchase just to be clear and safe.

Why Choose Surveying People? 

When you have to get a survey done for your London property, you are often looking for different companies that are going to provide you with a thorough report. Well, you do not have to look any further because we at Surveying People do exactly that.

You can connect with us and you must choose us because we have a team of Professionals who know the job they are going to perform on the property. Not only that, but they will also provide you with an in-depth report about everything relevant to the property so you are well aware of every single aspect.

The best thing about hiring our services is that we offer surveys at extremely affordable prices which means you will not have to spend an excessive amount of money just to know things about the property. We are also going to give you a detailed report at the end of the survey that will have every single thing mentioned within so you know whether you want to make that particular purchase or not. There are also different levels of surveys that we offer that you can choose from depending on how in-depth you want to go when it comes to your purchase.

Bottom Line

Whenever you put your mind to purchasing any property, it is important to know that it is not an easy decision and you really have to spend a lot of time thinking. Once you are sure you want to buy any property, it becomes definite for you to get it assessed in detail because if you do not do so it can become a lifelong regret for you. If you think you can assess everything on your own, then go ahead with that but if you think you need to get professional help then do not think twice before getting it.

On that note, if you’re really looking forward to getting Professional assistance to get the details relevant to the property, then you must get in touch with us at Surveying People. We are going to make sure the property is thoroughly surveyed and we will provide you with every single detail so you know what you need to do.

FAQs

Do I Really Need a Survey If Purchasing a New Property?

Yes, even if you’re purchasing a new property, you need to get a survey done because it can have defects that may be hidden. A surveyor will provide you with all the essential details, even if the property is brand-new.

How Much Does It Cost To Get Surveys?

The cost varies depending on different factors like the location of the property and the surveyor you choose. It can go anywhere between £300-£1500.

What Are the Levels For Surveys?

There are different levels of surveys, including the level two and level three surveys. You can opt for the one that you think you need and will be suitable for you.

How To Know Which Survey I Need?

There are two surveys, the level two and the level three surveys. Level two surveys are not that in-depth and you will only get to know about the superficial details. On the other hand, the level three survey covers every single detail so if you want to know everything then getting this survey will be a wise choice.

Does Surveying People Provide All Types Of Surveys?

Yes, we at Surveying People make sure that we provide both level two and level three surveys so people can get the one they think is going to be suitable for them. You can choose the one that you think will provide you with all the relevant details in accordance with the property.