Building Surveying FAQ's

1. What is Building Surveying?
2. What is planned maintenance?
3. What is a Building Survey?
4. What is Subsidence?
5. What is Settlement?
6. I have recently noticed a large crack in my wall. What should I do?
7. What is Rising Damp?
8. What is the Party Wall etc. Act 1996?

• What is Building Surveying?
• Put simply, Chartered Building Surveyors are trained professionals who are able to offer property, land and construction technical advice to commercial companies, the public sector and private individuals.

• What is planned maintenance?
• A Chartered Building Surveyor can help put together a maintenance programme for a property which will identify in advance both day to day repair items as well as items of work which will need attention in the longer term. The budgets for this work can also be set in advance. This is planned maintenance.

• What is a Building Survey?
• A Building Survey is a bespoke report concerning structure and fabric which is usually provided for clients who intend to buy or take a lease of a property. The report is presented in elemental format so that comments on individual components of the building are grouped together. The report will also point out areas of concern where further investigation may be necessary.

• What is Subsidence?
• Subsidence occurs as a result of ground movement below foundations of a property causing downward movement of the structure. Subsidence usually occurs due to; mining activity in the past close to the property, trees and defective drains. Certain types of soil below a property can also cause subsidence.

• What is Settlement?
• Settlement is different to subsidence in that it is caused by the load of the building causing downward movement of the ground below it. The difference between settlement and subsidence is important as most insurance policies will not cover settlement whereas it is more common for subsidence to be covered under property defects.

• I have recently noticed a large crack in my wall. What should I do?
• The first thing to do is notify your insurer of the problem. Many insurers will recommend that you seek specialist advice on property defects. Our team of Chartered Building Surveyors can assess the cause of the problem and recommend a repair strategy. We are used to dealing with insurance companies and loss adjusters and can manage claims on your behalf.

• What is Rising Damp?
• Rising damp is caused by ground water moving up a wall by capillary action. An effective damp proof course in a wall will prevent this from occurring. Rising damp is often confused with other forms of dampness. If mis-diagnosed, repairs can at best be ineffective and at worst, damaging to the building, creating additional property defects.
   

• What is the Party Wall etc. Act 1996?
• The Party Wall etc. Act 1996 is a piece of legislation borne out of the London Building Acts which provides a framework for preventing and resolving  boundary disputes  in relation to party walls, boundary walls and excavations near neighbouring buildings.  If it is intended to carry out work which is covered by the Party Wall Act must serve a notice telling their neighbour of their intentions.
• A Party Wall Surveyor can advise on the application of the Party Wall Act and can serve the correct notices on behalf of the party who wants to do the work.  Equally, a Party Wall Surveyor can advise the neighbouring owner on their options once they are in receipt of a notice.  Should a dispute then arise, the surveyors will resolve the matter on behalf of the parties.