Our Service
We pride ourselves on the thoroughness of our reports and the attention to detail and information that they include. It has taken us many years and a lot of research to get to the stage where we feel that we have the best report around.
The Introduction and Executive Summary
This section of the report starts off explaining how the report works so that clients can get the best from it and then moves on to an overview of the whole property. It gives information on the type of property, a summary of it's construction, the area it is situated and when it was built. It also gives a number of photos from all angles of the exterior and the interior of the property. The Executive Summary in this section includes 'The Good, The Bad and The Ugly'. This outlines any advantagous features and any problematic items that need to stand out. These items are then covered in the detailed section later on, but it shows the client the bits that they need to look out for and concentrate on. These items could be the ones that help the client decide if the property is worth buying or not!
The Detailed Part of the Report
The External Section
This is the area where we go into detail about all external areas of the building and things that may affect it. It includes:
CHIMNEY STACKS - We advise on each chimney individually and on flashings and flaunchings, etc.
ROOF COVERINGS AND UNDERFELTS - We advise as to whether they have slate tiles, etc and to what condition the roof is in
ROOF STRUCTURE AND ROOF VOIDS - We advise as to what type of roof they have and any problems occurring/to expect
RAINWATER GOODS - We advise as to what the gutters, etc are made of and any problems occurring/to expect
WALLS - we advise as to what they are built of and in what style, i.e. Cavity Wall Bond, and any problems occurring/to expect
FOUNDATIONS - we check the soil type and any movement, etc
TREES - and what effect their roots might have
DAMP PROOF COURSE/AIRBRICKS
EXTERNAL JOINERY - i.e. fascias and soffits, doors, windows, etc.
EXTERNAL DECORATIONS - as above, but also any painting, etc to brickwork or pebbledashing, etc.
The Internal Section
This is the area where we go into detail about all internal areas of the building. It includes:
CEILINGS, WALLS, PARTITIONS AND FINISHES - We do tap tests, etc and advise on construction and problems
CHIMNEY BREASTS, FLUES AND FIREPLACES - We check on their soundness and, if possible, their usage
FLOORS - we inform on their construction and, where possible, open them up to check for faults.
DAMPNESS - we check for condensation, also rising and lateral or penetrating damp using moisture meters.
INTERNAL JOINERY - i.e. doors, skirtings, windows, etc.
TIMBER DEFECTS - This is where we check for dry and wet rot and woodworm, including in the loft space.
INTERNAL DECORATIONS - We advise on what we feel needs improving or what may be being used to cover up problems.
THERMAL EFFICIENCY - Here we check on insulation and glazing, etc.
OTHER MATTERS - This covers things such as security, smoke alarms, asbestos, etc.
The Services Section
This covers all services, including:
ELECTRICITY
GAS
OIL
PLUMBING AND HEATING
SANITARY FITTINGS
MAIN DRAINS
Outside Areas
Here we cover things such as:
GARAGES AND OUTBUILDINGS
EXTERNAL AREAS, i.e. gardens
Points for Legal Advisers
This is advice on things that your legal advisors may need to check before you purchase the property, such as whether you are in a conservation area or your building is listed, etc.
Appendices
LIMITATIONS - Our limitations on performing the report, i.e. the weather
General Information on the Property Market
As it states, this is a small amount of information on the property market and websites that you can look at for further advice.
As you can see, all of the above will provide a very detailed report for the client. You may think that such a detailed report would take a very long time to type up, but you would be wrong. With our new innovative software this report can be typed up in seconds.