Posts Tagged ‘Chartered Surveyor’

Dampness is caused by many factors and it is oft quoted that Surveyors mis-diagnose the causes of dampness. Personally I do not believe this but what I am convinced is true is that a home owners tend to either ignore damp and mould, a strange and self-defeating stance, or become paranoid and seek to completely eliminate all traces of moisture (which is not always a wise thing to do).

Nothing could be worse than ignoring the problems because they usually get worse. Our second reaction is often to get a specialist Damp Proofing contractor involved. Although this can be correct and proper it is my experience such salespersons often sell a solution that is not needed, and which costs you a small fortune. That solution usually means chemicals will be injected into the house walls and in this eco-world this cannot always be correct. Fortunately there are some Damp Specialists who do give good advice – we know who they are are work with them for mutual gain and to your benefit.

It is all subject to scale and degree but the wisest course of action is usually to get your local Chartered Surveyor in to inspect and advise you. I can be accused of profiteering here but I reject I am biased. Dampness can be caused by so many differing factors that a true analysis is absolutely essential to ensure the solution is sustainable. Where does damp occur, why and does a repair need to be completed?

The best way of preventing damp is to design an adequate barrier and to install it effectively during construction of the building. Otherwise a retrofitted system must be considered and such systems are often disruptive and costly.

Also one must consider a further serious problem in the industry of damp diagnosis – often the cause of the dampness problem is mis-diagnosed and this can lead to much unnecessary expense or, even worse, duplicated costs over a period of years as a second solution is then tried.

Condensation is often the actual problem and this can be associated with a lifestyle problem rather than a building defect: indeed, it is my experience that the large majority of dampness that as been rectified by chemical injection systems (see below) are, in fact, a combination of inadequate insulation and a lifestyle issue revolving around your own actions and methods of living in that particular building.

On top of these issues is the danger that historically the observed dampness may have brought with it minerals from the ground. These can migrate up and into wall-base plaster in your lower rooms. This contaminated plaster usually needs to be removed (but not always) and the affected rooms then replastered at high cost and disruption. The dampness may have also started the process of joinery or floor decay that may not manifest until many months later and so it usually pays to expose and lift floorboards before any works are specified – hense my assertion that it usually pays to get an experienced Home Surveyor to check out the home before works are started.

The Dampness Diagnosis Industry is one that is driven by a Free Surveys by the Company competing for retrofit remedial work. Often conflicts of interest result in misdiagnosis and all for the sake of home buyers or owners saving a few pounds by not calling for paid opinion from a local, independent Chartered Surveyor.

So, what are the main types of remedial system if an actual rising damp issue has been correctly diagnosed? Here is a basic list —

Chemical retrofit injection systems: these place chemicals within a wall such that the micro-porous structure of the masonry cannot take in moisture and this solidity prevents capillary attraction and so damp cannot rise into your home. Small holes are drilled into wall bases (usually outside but an interior system can be designed in some cases) and a chemical solution is then systematically injected into masonry until saturation point is reached.

Electro-osmosis: if a small electrical current (equivalent to that used by a doorbell) is passed through a wall it affects the rate of potential capillary attraction that causes water to rise in a wall (like a tree sucking water out the ground). This system typically has a Control Unit (an adaptive power source), Anodes drilled and set into the outside wall-bases plus, finally, an Earth Rod. These are provided externally and are effective if the circuit(s) is not broken or the power supply interrupted.

Physical = the introduction of a new barrier such as bitumen felt, plastic (polypropylene, EPDM or re-cycled), dense (engineering grade) brick course & mortar, lead or natural slate. Any physical barrier will need to be linked to any flooring membrane and be at least 150mm above outside ground levels. The precise position of the barrier must also ensure that embedded, suspended floor joists ends are protected from damp and resultant decay.

Schrijver System: (a proprietary brand product used as an example to identify any such system – a specialist physical system) = this relies upon inserted special devices placed inside a wall (inserted from the outside by a drilling process) that create cold spots to which water is drawn. That moisture is then collected and drained away safely.

Palliative measures – in essence these work on the principal that the damp is not the problem; instead you tackle and neutralise the effects of dampness rather than prevent the source(s) of damp (provided no serious consequence results from such proposals) — 1. Create a new inner skin with damp-membrane and insulant but with a vented space between damp old and stud new inner walls. Possibly complete this work in tandem with outside land drainage works. 2. Changes in occupants’ lifestyle patterns. 3. Provide better insulation and/or improve heating and venting of the building environment (or simply improve the control of such factors).

Arguments exist for each type of theory of repair, or action to combat dampness and its effects (mould, decay, health problems….). Factors to decide the best solution for you may include:—

• The robustness of the correct diagnosis of damp. This factor cannot be overplayed in importance as the large majority of dampness cases are initially mis-diagnosed by Surveyors.

• Whether the degree of damp warrants any actions at all.

• How green you require your repair solution to be.

• The effectiveness and longevity of the various types of solution.

• The costs, direct and indirect, of your preferred repair solution.

• Whether guarantees are issued, and upon what terms (such as being Insurance backed?).

• Whether it is wise to repair damp at all – eg: Cob walled buildings must be damp to remain structurally safe: eg: flint walls cannot be injected: eg: usually slim wall forms of Period Buildings need to breath and this precludes most remedial work methods.

• The peripherals such as the degree of Repair Company expertise required, whether Building Control Approval is need, length of time needed to complete the repairs, what conditions are placed on each repair method, any adverse effect on saleability or mortgageability of each type of repair system, etc……

• Sometimes remedial works might effect an adjoining structure and so the cooperation (sometimes mandatory under the Party Wall Act) of the adjoining property owner is needed before anything can be done.

In seems that the Industry has lapsed into saying the solution is a chemical injection remedial treatment, now what is the problem? Until we can get a little more sophisticated we will continue to complete unnecessary works and/or use chemicals when often we shouldn’t.

The crux of the matter often revolves around two factors (1) whether wall plaster needs to be removed and replaced as this greatly increases costs and length of contract, plus (2) are you prepared to accept that the way you live within the dwelling has caused the damp and mould and you may have to make lifestyle changes: (the latter scenario is real and it is my experience occupiers often will not believe the problem is self-inflicted. This plays into the hands of the rogue specialist damp companies).

It really is quite simple – as every home and method of occupation are so variable no one-solution-fits-all exists and therefore you need good quality advice. So, will you take advice from an impartial Chartered Surveyor or rely upon Bob the Builder or a company salesperson from a Dampness Contractor? The choice is yours.

Independent thought and action rely upon professional integrity and a genuine belief that the “client should come first”.

I passionately believe this is true and it drives my thinking and how I conduct my life. Recently I have self produced a YouTube video so I express my thinking to a wider audience. I invite you to take a look and give me some feedback.

To access the video click this link — http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8n5Cj5yliRI

I emphasis that as a Chartered Surveyor I am heavily regulated and abide by a Ethical Code: it is not the words that are important here as it is my believe in such matters that counts – others seem, at times, to stand for a lesser code and these are the Surveyors who get into trouble and I find myself working against them in Court.

Typically I work for Buyers but increasingly Sellers are requesting surveys. the latter to flag the home has no serious faults OR to define exactly what is wrong and so begin to manage the damage to saleability and potential purchasers expectations. As stated above I also, increasingly, work against Surveyors and Valuers when cases of alleged negligence raise their ugly heads.

So- nothing is more important to anybody involved in housing than receipt of unbiased professional advice: your own surveyor or valuer should only receive a fee or commission from YOU and nobody else (often behind the scenes commissions are paid by Surveyors/Valuers for the initial introduction from an Estate Agent – an action that I strongly object to).

Remember – a loan valuation is not a survey and you are advised to separate out the private survey from the loan valuation: why would you think that a simultaneous survey and valuation could ever be in your best interests – THINK, you are telling the loan company what is wrong with your home and they may, as a result, not issue the finance you need.

The most popular form of UK survey product is the R.I.C.S. HOMEBUYER REPORT (and Valuation) but remember the stat – only 1-in-12 home buyers take any independent professional advice on purchases.

The choice is yours: buy with good advice behind you or take a serious gamble.

Take my advice – call me find out what are your survey options – the call will cost you next to nothing and you might just save yourself a lot of money or a giant headache.

Stuart Parrett +44 (0)1489 896 174 or 078 3636 3040.

What will happen to House Values?

What price professional integrity?

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These are the ramblings of a Chartered Surveyor Housing Expert in south Hampshire, England. They are published as we enter the run in to our General Election 2010.

Let me propose a few facts and then begin to think about how they may interact as we sail through this election and the current recessionary period.

1. The established Planning/PUSH estimate is the need for 80,000 new homes in south Hampshire by 2026.
2. The national and southern divorce rate is high, and increasing.
3. Repossessions remain a current property and social problem.
4. Despite several false dawns, property values are not booming or buoyant.
5. The majority of home buyers still DO NOT take any form of independent home condition or valuation advice.
6. The majority of Estate Agents and Buyers-in-general still pay lip service to Home Information Packs.
7. SAVA/Hometrack are introducing “Probable Value Range” opinions within Home Condition Surveys that can be generated by the newly created Home Inspectors for Home Information Pack purposes.
8. To stimulate savings the Bank of England must increase rates of interest, perhaps sooner than many wish or expect.
9. National and local housing starts are falling as we speak and I expect that rate of building to fall even further as disposable incomes fail to rise in the next couple of years.
10. Lenders continue to offer loans on terms unacceptable to most first time buyers (and others) – who has a 20% to 25% deposit nowadays?

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I have always found that as a cyclical market trough finds its way to us, for even a fully blown recession, the Economists and Housing Experts all say they did not see it coming but expect readers to believe them when they begin to predict what is to come. Well, I say NONSENSE.

Media hypes up published market data and paints a headline along the lines of “House Prices UP for the fourth month in a row” etc…. What they do not appreciate are underlying trends, imperfect consumer knowledge and uneducated actions plus the degree of conflict of interests within the loans/legal/valuation/survey markets. There is even great uncertainty within the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) who, along with the Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML) are issuing revised protocols and Practice Statements on how to value New Homes.

• Loan Valuers have been told that they must factor out of the deal any sales incentives: this means that most valuations are now falling short of the stated asking prices.
• Loan Valuers are being told that the security of a New Home is its second hand value and that therefore they should ignore any potential “new build premium”. Again this kills any chance of a Valuation being near to the agreed price.
• Loan Valuers often break professional standards and protocol but not inspecting homes to the required standard when a survey has NOT been requested: a cursory viewing but mandatory damp test plus “head and shoulders” loft inspections are ignored. I have personally been told this by many sellers when I have visited for buyer, private survey purposes.

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Moving on – A Chiswick home owner recently contacted me saying that several Estate Agents had stated her home was worth £875,000 over a year ago and that after full refurbishment she would get about £900,000 (in a falling market). She recently got her Mortgage Company to Value her home, the same gentleman who valued it at £875,000 last year, and the valuation was set at £650,000 (over 30% lower than last year). Now, it is possible local values have fallen by this margin but a cursory glance at general values in the district seems to not support such a proposition. Indeed, it seems the Valuer has simply been told to be cautious. This case has the hallmarks of professional negligence and/or conflicts of interest written all over it. This goes a long way to further harm the marketplace and to put back any fragile recovery that may exist “out there”.

Conversely, looking at the market from the stance of a buyer – why don’t buyers take truly independent advice?

The HIP can and and should be a valuable resource for information that can and will help buyers if they choose to look – it is my experience they do not even ask to look at HIPs.

To a Surveyor and independent Valuer the HIP is one of the first things I refer to – position of water and drainage lines – warranty and guarantee documents – planning history with dates – legal issues – a plan to see if boundary disputes may be current – the list goes on………

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Moving on further – South Hampshire is scheduled for a 7% increase in population up to 2026 but it is scheduled to have an 18% increase in housing. Certain areas will have a disproportionate burden to swallow on their doorsteps in that new housing can be expected to lower values in the post-recession marketplace by increasing housing supply. Conversely a high divorce rate will increase the demand for, say, two bedroom homes (and perhaps Flats). These factors, plus any interest rate rises, may create a very complex market in the post-recession marketplace and it is at this time that the near defunct Home Inspectors (trained to complete low grade home surveys to go into HIPs – a product that was removed from the HIP on political grounds) are being encouraged to produce reports that attempt to predict what a home “might be worth” by looking at historic statistics.

I find this very strange indeed. At a time when the function and services of an expert professional Valuer are, or shortly will be, at an all time high, the powers that be are allowing a novice form of Valuer to float onto the market a predictive value report product.

Words fail me….suffice to say that buyers are encouraged to break with established methods, staid thinking, and to commission the services of their local Chartered Surveyor Valuer – somebody who knows the local markets and can be sued if they get it wrong. Why would anyone wish to gambol in the current market conditions? Not taking basic precautionary professional advice will adversely affect your wealth. If you have learnt nothing from this recession – learn this, nobody will help you, you have to help yourself and this starts with your choice of adviser – go independent every time.

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My advice to L.R. in Chiswick? Start proceedings for Valuer negligence.

My advice to the political parties during this election? As I have seen nothing in any political manifesto to change any of what I have discussed above, I suggest you all return to HQ and rethink four subjects – (1) the meaning and definition of connected person within any property transaction, (2) how to get tough with errant Estate Agents on HIPs, (3) the need for housing projects to remains on schedule to create jobs, to create affordable housing in all UK districts and (4) to re-introduce Condition Reports within HIPs, as has been successfully introduced in Scotland (but with a change – to be completed by both Home Inspectors on modern units but experienced Chartered Surveyors if the home is over, say 30 years old).

NEED ADVICE?

Try the SEARCH Box facility (below, left), click on an Article Heading (below, left) or simply read on….

• BUILDING SURVEYS with or without VALUATION advice
• HOME VALUATIONS by an RICS Registered Valuer
  
• HOMEBUYER REPORTS or SELLER SURVEYS
• AUCTION or QUICK-WALK-THROUGH Appraisals
  
• Update your BUILDING INSURANCE SUM INSURED
• Is DAMP REALLY DAMP or actually CONDENSATION as a result of your lifestyle?
• Is that CRACK the beginnings of SUBSIDENCE?
• Divorce or Negligence Court-Compliant EXPERT WITNESS Reports/Valuations.

Hello, I’m Stuart Parrett. I am a truly independent, knowledgeable and experienced Chartered Surveyor and housing specialist. I am in the PEOPLE and HOMES Business where Information Discovery is all important.

I survey homes for faults and worth/value but it is not what I do but HOW that separates PROinspect from competitor surveyors.

THE HOUSE DOCTOR IS IN:

HOW CAN I HELP YOU?

SOMETHING of VALUE for you —-

1-  Do you have a SEPTIC TANK DRAINAGE system?

NEW Environmental Permitting Regulations cover even old septic tanks, which may previously have escaped regulation, but are now controlled and must be formally registered with the Environment Agency by 1^st January 2012. Failure to register is a criminal offense. Click this link PrivateDrainageChanges2012 for an Environment Agency Brochure that explains all.

2-  CONDENSATION SEASON IS UPON US – have you looked in the back of the wardrobe recently or in “that corner”?

Cold = drop in dew point = cold surfaces will attract condensate: Quick Fix – create airflows and reduce the amount of vapour in the air. Longer Term Fix = Raise the wall temperature by lining it with XXXX; properly kill off mould spores; introduce sensors that apply venting or temperature changes to the environment. Simple.

What often works is opening the window for as long as possible during and after sleeping/baths/showers/cooking (this removes water vapour that then cannot condense on your clothes and walls). You loose heat during this process and so you need to learn how to achieve these goals intelligently without icicles forming on your nose.

For more information on me, my CV etc… – click here and scroll down. Alternatively, look me in the eye by watching a short VIDEO – CLICK HERE. TheHouseSurveyor at YouTube will also deliver several important messages for those looking to purchase or those you wish to become Residential Surveyors and/or Valuers.

Those who have kindly provided testimonials for me say that I can be considered a safe pair of hands, somebody who is a real communicator and a provider of detailed and robust opinions.

Good reasons for using me in the central south coast area include that I take the time to listen to you and then help you make the right choice of survey product and have it completed at the right time. After this I genuinely communicate with you and don’t simply mail a report to you and that is it. No, I am always available for questions and meetings because you need to be re-assured your purchase is both a wise investment and you are not buying a problem.

I protect the biggest investment you’ll ever make in your life – your home – and I work with you every step of the way…..

I’ve brought together a lot of valuable information to help you organise property problems, alterations, private surveys and other services surrounding ownership, maintenance, sales, purchases and Expert Witness Reports.

CALL ME for a free chat and advice on 078 3636 3040 —

• THE GOLDEN RULES OF SELF-PROTECTION DURING HOME BUYING =

1. When your “offer” has been accepted make sure you already have a loan deal secured in principle
2. Make sure you DO NOT agree to a combined Loan Valuation and Private Survey
3. Actually speak to a Surveyor (PROinspect down south) – do not accept an Assistant or a Secretary
4. Find out your Survey Product options, fee costs and the manner in dealing with any special concerns you have
5. Do not fall for quick deals or “linked” services often packaged by costly middlemen Agencies.

STUART PARRETT

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Browse the site and when you’re ready to ask for advice give me a call or fill in the Form on the right. To get the best out of us you need to be briefed as to your options, survey costs and a lot more. As a starting point be as specific as you can as to what you need from us – use the CONTACT FORM (top right on your screen): EG: Detached house – perhaps 50 years old – £400,000 agreed – Building Survey with Valuation needed – being sold by XXX Estate Agents.

PROinspect are led by Stuart Parrett who has an unrivalled pedigree as a specialist Home Surveyor of over 35 years Hampshire experience.

If you wish to read even more of my views on a host of house and survey matters go to ezinearticles.com by clicking of the above icon. Or follow me at Twitter (@SurveyAuthority).

PROinspect have the focused philosophy to achieve an advanced level of property inspection and high quality of written reports. Our skills and experience are available for client re-assurance purposes to ensure you act on only the best advice and opinions.

About Stuart Parrett

Stuart Parrett is a rare breed – a specialist residential property Chartered Surveyor with over 35 years experience in Hampshire. His unique blend of qualifications, local knowledge, vast experience, professional pedigree and long menu of survey products marks his Practice out from the crowd. He trained in south Hampshire and has made it his duty to be been highly involved with the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, the Awarding Body of the Built Environment, Surveyors & Valuers Accreditation and other Industry “names” in multiple capacities, including  for training youngsters and less experienced individuals.

Stuart has completed many years of voluntary Surveying service with the CAB and has always been an effective communicator. Indeed, his reporting and forensic skills have been, and are used by the legal professional and the Courts in the guise of Expert Witness Reports in cases of errant Building Contractors or negligent Surveyors and Valuers.

The mainstream service that PROinspect pride themselves on is House Surveying. Whether this is for sellers, buyers, landlords, corporate clients or individuals make no difference: Stuart has a passion to deliver relevant, simple-to-read professional reports tailored to clients needs and budgets.

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Our aim?

TO GENUINELY HELP ANYONE INVOLVED WITH PROPERTY TRANSACTIONS or WHO HAS PROBLEMS.

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Why use PROinspect?

So what do we do that marks us out from our competitors?

1. We specialize in residential forms of property and always have done.
2. We complete ongoing training far above what is generally required in our profession.
3. We communicate with our clients: we need to know what drives any referral to us, what is worrying you, what you wish to achieve with/in the property, etc
4. We match the right survey product to the property type, known defects reported to us plus clients’ survey budget and expectations so our client receives the best option for their stated needs.
5. Before we inspect we complete a varied array of fact finding (internet and other database searches). This allows us to modify our On-Site Work-Sheets to include specific reference to potential adverse matters that may affect the home you are buying. By this method we can drill down to the nitty-gritty quicker and more accurately to our mutual advantage.
6. We use modern survey aids as and if required: we go beyond traditional cursory inspection means.
7. Where possible we always interview the sellers/occupiers and ask searching questions that may reveal latent defects and/or problems.
8. Back at the office we then complete any required further internet or other researches that our site inspection has shown us to be essential.
9. Finally the report is prepared with the specific client in mind – WE DO NOT SHOE-HORN DATA INTO A “ONE SIZE FITS ALL” REPORT.
10. After the client receives our report we don’t go to ground. If you need further advice and help we are available to you and at no extra charge.