We all appreciate that if you go back 100 years or more and compare our living standards to then, how vastly improved they have become particularly in the ‘developed’ world. We, as a society expect and demand certain standards and rightly so. However, what astounds me is that we only need to go back as …
I have recently surveyed a flat in a converted church close to Crystal Palace Park in South East London. The former New Church (Swedenborgian) was built in 1883. The church was listed as an example of an early and curious use of concrete for church building. Designed by W J E Henley of the Concrete …
We all have different specialities and come from a variety of different backgrounds here at Gold Crest Surveyors. I personally come from a Construction Management background working on both new build and restoration projects. After receiving a phone call from a colleague asking for clarity whether a timber spandrel panel visible to the gable ends …
In February 2021 I was flattered to be asked to participate in a new mentoring project, helping SAVA students to get a flavour of ‘real world’ residential surveying. It has been an interesting journey so far and I thought I’d make this blog about some of the experience we’ve had together. Surveying in the contemporary …
Whilst surveying properties daily, a common defect we come across is a Low or bridged DPC’s What is a DPC? A DPC is a layer of damp proofing material laid between bricks to help prevent moisture rising through porous elements of a buildings via capillary action. By The Public Health Act 1875 it is now …
In July 2021 pre thunderstorm witnessed by greater Manchester I was surveying a property with a very precellular addition to the garden. While walking around the garden boundaries and inspecting the rear exterior face of the property, I noticed a dilapidated outbuilding quite far into the garden. Afterwards I questioned the vendor which gave me some …
Last week I surveyed a 2-bedroom house converted from a workshop. The 1880s property is located in a sought-after area of East London next to Columbia Road Flower Market and stone’s throw from the vibrant array of boutique shops, galleries, parks and cafes of Shoreditch. From the outside the property did not look attractive, however, …
One of the many important reasons to get a Building Survey when buying an older property is identifying areas where there could potentially be Asbestos. Mortgage companies do a ‘survey’ however this is only a valuation and most of the time they don’t even check the loft space. Whilst out on a survey last week …
How should you remove hazardous materials from your house…..? Asbestos you can! Read More »
The client had provided a list of items that they had requested to make comment on during the inspection of the property I was surveying at. All the items that the client had requested feedback upon were provided within our report plus all other items were highlighted in line with the RICS Homebuyer Report (Valuation …
Never a normal day surveying, however, back in March 2021 it felt like a normal morning surveying a beautiful detached house. It was the first time meeting my mentee Guillaume who is a professional gardener on our step-up scheme to become a surveyor. The owner of the property left us to it and said she …
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