Our homes are our sanctuaries during the chilly winter months and the warmth and comfort that they provide become more important than ever. No one likes to think about any issues threatening this peaceful setup but if you have recently spotted an issue with your property then now is the time to have a specific defect survey done before the rainy days and freezing nights of winter worsen any existing problems.
What is a specific defect survey?
Home surveys are usually intended to give you an overview of an entire property, but unlike most of the surveys that we offer, this option focuses upon just one area of concern and conducts a full inspection of the issue. It is the best way to gain a clear understanding of any potential defects and is ideal for those situations where an issue is clearly present but is not serious enough to warrant a full RICS survey.
Our specific defect surveys are suitable for many possible problems, from minor cosmetic issues to serious structural concerns. No matter what the issue is, our RICS-accredited chartered surveyors will identify its most likely cause, assess its impact, and compile the findings into a detailed report that gives you the clarity you are searching for, without needing to commit to a full survey of the property.
When should I arrange this survey?
Like all the best services, this survey’s name speaks for itself; and since it assesses a specific defect, this inspection should be done as soon as an isolated issue is identified within a home.
Defects can occur for all sorts of reasons and not all of them are directly tied to the age or condition of the building. Whether you have just moved in, or have lived in the property for many years, you should arrange a specific defect survey if you are:
- Concerned about a new, or long-term, defect in your home.
- In the process of buying a new property and want to check a particular issue that was flagged by the homebuyers survey.
- A landlord who has been notified of an issue by a tenant and wants to know what remedial work is required.
- Planning a long-term maintenance plan for a property with a known defect.
- Arranging repairs, alternations, or renovations and want to make sure nothing is missed.
Whatever the reason for arranging a specific defect survey, our RICS-accredited chartered surveyors will help you to make informed decisions for your property, but remember – just because an issue does not look too severe does not mean that it should be left until spring.
Do I need a specific defect survey this winter?
Rain, snow, high speed winds and stormy conditions can all make any structural defects or existing issues present in your property much worse, so now is the time to address any problems in the run up to Christmas with a quick, focused inspection.
Some issues that appear surface-level may reveal themselves to be much more serious than expected, whilst some problems that appear severe may be contained to a small section of the property and might not even require further investigation. In either case, it is essential that you as the homeowner or landlord establish the full extent of the issue as soon as it is discovered, so get in touch with us if you notice any of the following this winter:
- Damp patches
- Leaks
- Extensive cracks
- Roof defects
- Structural issues, including movement
- Damaged brickwork
Even if you have a pretty good idea what the problem is – plumbing issues, roofing defects, and widespread damp are particularly visual defects – you should still arrange to have this survey carried out to assess its cause, severity, and related risks before the worst of the winter weather hits.
What are the next steps?
Our core aims when conducting this survey are:
- To identify the cause of the defect.
- To establish its impact.
- To identify any additional defects related to, or caused by, the main issue.
- To suggest appropriate remedial measures before the problem can worsen.
- And to give you actionable next steps – whether this involves scheduling repairs, arranging ongoing maintenance, or booking an additional survey.
If further measures are required, depending upon the scale and nature of the defect, then they will be clearly marked in the survey report, and we will always strive to provide you with a pricing estimate for these next steps. Our impartial evaluations and expert recommendations give you everything you need to tackle the findings of our survey, and we will always be just a phone call away to answer any queries and offer follow up support as you navigate these next steps.
Need a specific defect survey?
If all you want for Christmas is clarity regarding any defects in your property, then get in touch to book your specific defect survey in Birmingham or London today.