Whether your home is new or it was built many years ago, getting a building survey can help you find any building defects in the home. It can save the homeowner a lot of money by finding these defects early before they start to cause problems. It’s also useful to know what to expect if you’re about to buy a property.
If the defects are already causing problems, a building survey can help find the cause and determine how extensive the issue is. Building surveys help you understand exactly where you stand with any problems that could arise in the future so that you can fix them quickly and efficiently.
Why Survey a New Home?
Many people believe that a new building shouldn’t need a building survey because it is brand new and shouldn’t have any problems. Often that is not the case.
It takes a lot of different types of craftsmen to build a home and if one of them doesn’t read the plans correctly or if the plans are not correct, it can cause major problems down the road. A seemingly simple mistake can have a domino effect. Getting a building survey when the build is finished means that you can get on top of any of those issues before they become expensive to repair.
What Kind of Defects Can be Found?
A proper survey can find a wide range of types of defects. One of the most common is when dampness or water is found in the walls or ceiling of a building. This can be caused by a few different things including leaking pipes or a gap in the roofing. Another cause of dampness is condensation from a space where there is no airflow. If the foundation is not properly sealed, damp may creep upwards from the soil, as well.
Any defects that include moisture can result in a lot of damage if they are not caught quickly. They may cause mould and rot that will spread and any contaminated materials need to be fully replaced to get rid of it. In the time that it takes to find mould, it could begin to cause health issues for the people who are living in that space. Leaks and condensation from lack of airflow need to be remedied as quickly as possible. Other defects that can be found are distortion or bulging walls. This can be caused by things like dampness or improperly attached materials. If it is improper installation, the solution can be quite simple and inexpensive. Bulging walls caused by water can uncover a lot of other bigger problems though. If you notice any oddities in your walls walls, it’s important to get a building survey as soon as possible to find out the cause of the issue.
A building survey can also uncover structural movement, heave or cracking. Anything that causes cracks and heaves can put the entire building in danger of being structurally unsound. If you notice heaving or cracking you should get it checked out, even if it is slight. A professional surveyor will be able to tell you if the issue is one that can easily be fixed and if it puts your family at risk at all. Another defect that a proper building survey can find is sound penetration. There should be at least a certain amount of soundproofing when it comes to a home. This is particularly important if the building has multiple units.
A building surveyor will be able to determine if there is too much sound penetration. If it does, they may make recommendations on what should be done to dampen the sound.
When Should You Get a Building Survey?
There are a few times when you should think about getting a professional to come in and survey your home. If you buy a home, it is important to bring in a
building surveyor immediately to assess any defects. This is best done before the purchase of the property goes through so you can have all the information you need to consider if this is the right home for you. This survey should be done no matter the age of the home.
Another reason you might want to bring in a building surveyor is if you are planning on doing any renovations to your home. Knowing what defects might affect your renovation will be helpful to know ahead of time so that you can build that into your budget and timeline.
Another time you might consider having your home surveyed is if you find any moisture, mould, bulging or cracking. Anything that looks out of place can be a reaction to a defect. Building surveyors will be able to help you find out if the issue is one that you need to worry about.
What to Look for in a Building Surveyor
When you are looking at getting a professional surveyor to come in and survey your home, there are a few things to consider. You will need to find a company that has a good reputation for being thorough in their surveys.
A good surveying company will not only tell you the issues and the necessary remedy. They should also provide you with a detailed report that will give you all of the options available to you in order to fix the issues. They should also provide you with an idea of how urgent each repair is and give you a range of options that can fit your budget.
The building survey company will also have good relationships with contractors who do the sorts of work that you need to be done. They can recommend a trusted contractor. They also should be happy to answer any questions that you may have after you are able to read through the report. When you are looking for a good building surveyor, it is important to do some research to find one you feel comfortable with.
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