House-Buying Dilemma – Should You Buy a Period Property or Choose a New Build Instead?
It’s a question that is easy or hard to answer depending on your preference. Period properties range from chocolate box images of thatched cottages to imposing Victorian townhouses. At the other end of the scale, one could argue that new build properties can sometimes look like glorified Lego houses with no character. It really does…
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Loft conversions – a bonus when they’re done properly
When space is a premium and extending the footprint of a property can be difficult or impossible due to planning restrictions, utilising your loft area can be the perfect solution if you need an extra bedroom or want to create additional space in which to work, work out or relax. However, a loft space suitable…
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So new build doesn’t guarantee a property with a clean bill of health
Back in June, we picked up on the news about housing firm Persimmon and highly dissatisfied owners. At the time, one couple were feeling angry that their property had 30 faults in every room. Another couple identified 700 defects!
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What’s happening in the housing market (or, in Boris’ words, let’s get Brexit done!)
What’s happening in the housing market (or, in Boris’ words, let’s get Brexit done!) Are we all feeling optimistic yet?! Brexit continues to hang over the heads of UK industries and impacts on everyone’s lives, be it fears of job security or feeling that plans needs to be put on hold until we know what…
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The Impact of Climate Change on the Housing Sector
As much as Brexit has been dominating the headlines for what seems like far too long, there is another, far graver, topic that is fighting for the world’s attention. It is, of course, climate change. David Attenborough rocked up at Glastonbury to make an impassioned plea to clean up our collective act, teenager Greta Thunberg…
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Help, I’m Worried That My Neighbour’s Building Plans Will Affect My Property!
Disputes between neighbours over building works are incredibly common. Online forums are full of anger, desperation and murderous intent as individuals rant about laws being flouted, lack of communication and downright bloody-mindedness. Of course, it doesn’t have to be that way and the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 was introduced to protect the interests of…
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Buying a new build property? Why it might be worth getting a building survey
The UK is facing a continual and rising demand for housing and councils all over the country have local plans in place to address housing need. Despite 222,000 properties being built in 2017-2018, it’s estimated that the government’s target of delivering 300,000 new homes every year by the mid-2020s will be impossible to achieve, largely…
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Guildford Property Surveyors – Why Local Knowledge Counts
Guildford has a rich heritage and a wonderful array of historic buildings. From the 14th century Guildhall and the Royal Grammar School, which was built in 1509, to Abbot’s Hospital, a set of 17th century alms houses, and the remains of Guildford Castle. The completion of the Wey Navigation in 1653 saw Guildford grow as…
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What to look for in a Building Survey Quote
In one of our recent articles, ‘How much does a building survey cost?’, we looked at condition reports, homebuyer reports and full structural surveys and how they compare. The reports of these surveys vary in depth and detail and so do the costs vary. It can make choosing a surveyor a bit of a…
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Another Year Over! Surveying Trends in 2018
As we reach the end of 2018, thoughts are naturally turning to what’s ahead of us in 2019. Brexit, obviously, casts a shadow over everything, but it’s not all doom and gloom, thankfully, and our industry does have a few things to look forward to. We look at the most important surveying trends of 2018. …
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