Top tips for a Essex Home Buyers Survey
Essex is a home county to the east of London and it includes places as diverse as Southend-on-Sea, Harlow, Epping, Basildon and Colchester (which is Britain's oldest recorded town, dating back to its days as Roman Camulodunum.
The pattern of settlement in the county is diverse. The Metropolitan Green Belt has effectively prevented the further sprawl of London into the county, although it contains the new towns of Basildon and Harlow, originally developed to resettle Londoners following the destruction of London housing in World War II, since which significantly developed and expanded. Epping Forest also acts as a protected barrier to the further spread of London. Because of its proximity to London and the economic magnetism which that city exerts, many of Essex's settlements, particularly those on or within short driving distance of railway stations, function as dormitory towns or villages where London workers raise their families.
Part of the southeast of the county, already containing the major population centres of Basildon, Southend and Thurrock, is within the Thames Gateway and designated for further development. Parts of the southwest of the county such as Buckhurst Hill and Chigwell are contiguous with Greater London neighbourhoods.
To the north of the green belt, with the exception of major towns such as Colchester and Chelmsford, the county is rural, with many small towns, villages and hamlets largely built in the traditional materials of timber and brick, with clay tile or thatched roofs.
There are many new build developments in the county, including in Chelmsford, Stanway, Colchester, Great Dunmow, Great Wakering and Walton-on-the-Naze.
The pattern of settlement in the county is diverse. The Metropolitan Green Belt has effectively prevented the further sprawl of London into the county, although it contains the new towns of Basildon and Harlow, originally developed to resettle Londoners following the destruction of London housing in World War II, since which significantly developed and expanded. Epping Forest also acts as a protected barrier to the further spread of London. Because of its proximity to London and the economic magnetism which that city exerts, many of Essex's settlements, particularly those on or within short driving distance of railway stations, function as dormitory towns or villages where London workers raise their families.
Part of the southeast of the county, already containing the major population centres of Basildon, Southend and Thurrock, is within the Thames Gateway and designated for further development. Parts of the southwest of the county such as Buckhurst Hill and Chigwell are contiguous with Greater London neighbourhoods.
To the north of the green belt, with the exception of major towns such as Colchester and Chelmsford, the county is rural, with many small towns, villages and hamlets largely built in the traditional materials of timber and brick, with clay tile or thatched roofs.
There are many new build developments in the county, including in Chelmsford, Stanway, Colchester, Great Dunmow, Great Wakering and Walton-on-the-Naze.
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Survey Tip 1 | Survey Tip 2 | Survey Tip 3 |
Properties in Essex which are in close proximity to the major water courses and rivers such as the Thames, the Stort, the Lea, the Chelmer, the Ching, the Brain, the Crouch and the Roding as well as some coastal areas, are subject to flood warnings and alerts from time to time. If you are concerned that a property you are looking to buy is in a flood risk area, you should consider getting a flood risk report (click for more details). | A recent Environmental Search indicated that a property on Clenshaw Path, Basildon, SS14 2FP, is within 50m of an area with potential for natural ground instability. The British Geological Survey has assessed the area of search as having moderate potential for natural ground instability. This does not necessarily mean there is cause for concern in terms of the property's stability. Active subsidence will be dependent on local conditions, such as the proximity of trees or areas where trees have been removed, which require an inspection of the site to identify the nature of the ground on which the property is built. A house buyers survey is advised to look for signs of property damage that may indicate poor natural ground conditions. | When a RICS surveyor carries out either a building survey or homebuyer report in the Essex area, they will switch the lights on and off but not test the whole electrical system. If they suspect that there is an electrical problem, they will recommend that you consult a local electrical contractor. A local electrician within the Essex area is Reactive Electrical, 50 Scratton Rd, Stanford-le-Hope SS17 0PA. |
Essex is not only a coastal county (the North Sea is to its east) but a home county because it touches Greater London on its eastern borders. Its settlements vary from Colchester, which is very historical and used to be the capital of England as Camulodunum, to Southend, a seaside resort, to Basildon, which is a comparatively modern urban development. The western side of Essex hosts many London workers and there are fast rail links to, for example, Shenfield from London Liverpool Street which aid many city workers.Essex's county town is Chelmsford (and is the county's only city), where Essex County Cricket Club are based. Essex hosts Stansted Airport and attractions such as the Lakeside Shopping Centre, near Thurrock and Epping Forest, a popular forest for camping and other activities. A large proportion of Essex's boundaries are water (the River Thames and the North Sea), the remainder includes Greater London, Hertfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Suffolk. Kent is across the River Thames to the south.
Listed Building Survey Essex
We have local RICS Listed Building Surveyors who specialise in listed building surveys in Essex. To find out more go to - Listed Building Surveys - Building Surveyor and Survey Cost in Essex
Building Survey Essex Planning
You can review what planning applications have been granted or denied for properties in your area by contacting Essex County Council at County Hall, Market Road, Chelmsford CM1 1QH, telephone 03457 430 430, or you can check the local authority website.
Read the following article if you are thinking about building an extension .
Local Building Survey Essex
Our Building Surveyors specialise in the local area and have completed house surveys in Chelmsford, Colchester, Basildon, Harlow, Grays, Clacton-on Sea and Benfleet.
We employ only expert RICS Building Surveyors to undertake Home Buyers Surveys in Essex. Whether you are buying an old run down 'doer upper' or standard construction freehold house, our RICS surveyors have seen them all.
With a vast number of years of experience completing building surveys on properties in Essex we'll be able to give you the detailed Essex HomeBuyers report that you will need to know and what defects there are with your property.
Home Buyers Survey Essex
Recently completed HomeBuyer Reports and Building Surveys near you:
- Carlton Court, Craven Gardens, Barkingside, Essex IG6 1LT
- 46 Cranstone Park Avenue, Upminster, Essex, RM14 3UT
- 196 Willowfield, Harlow, Essex, CM18 6RZ
- 11 Featherstone Court, 287 - 295 High Road, Chadwell Heath, Essex, RM6 6DJ
- 55 Bentry Road, Dagenham, Essex, RM8 3PA
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Local Essex
Building Surveyors
Our Building Surveyor uses their local knowledge of Essex to ensure they deliver a detailed homebuyers report to help you decide whether you should move forward with your home move or if you should pull out.
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Delivery of Reports
We normally have availability within days of you booking and our turnaround for homebuyers survey reports is within 5 working days.
Panel of RICS Surveyors
Ranging from 10 to 40 years all of our chartered RICS Surveyors are registered with and regulated by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors and have indemnity insurance that covers all of the work they undertake in a Home Buyers Survey in Essex.
Home Buyers Survey - What does it cover?
Our RICS Surveyor, during a Home Buyers Survey, inspects both the inside and the outside of your property and searches in particular for subsidence, damp, infestations and any cracks or other damage to the property.
The procedure is non-intrusive. It is highly recommended that you get one, whether a Building Survey (which used to be known as a Full Structural Survey) or a HomeBuyers Report, if you are thinking of buying a property in Essex.
NB If you're a first time buyer, you might wish to click on What is a House Survey to find out more, including what happens during the inspection.
Click to find out how much does a house survey cost (free, no obligation quote)
Should any issues be flagged up in the Home Buyers Survey, our surveyor will tell you what you need to do to get more in-depth advice on the extent and seriousness of the issue affecting your property in Essex and what needs to be done to remedy it.
If you are worried about a crack or cracks or indeed any other defects that you think your property has, we strongly recommend you get a Home Buyers Survey as the cost of remedying the problem might snowball into many thousands of pounds further down the line.
You can find a local RICS surveyor by using the search at the bottom RHS of this page.
FREE Online Conveyancing Process for Buyers
Includes online checklists, videos, downloads and tips - plus it is completely free to use from start to finish and saves your progress along the way.
Does the Building Survey check the electrics and boiler?
The Building Survey is a defect report and will highlight any visual issues such as damp, subsidence and asbestos.
The surveyor will not carry out specialist inspections other than normal operation in everyday use, for example, switching lights on and off and turning the heating on and off.
If the surveyor feels that the electrics and boiler need further investigation then they will recommend that you get an electrician or engineer into the property to carry out an intrusive assessment.
HomeBuyers Report in Essex
A HomeBuyers Report is general visual inspection for flats, new properties or bungalows of standard construction.
Most leasehold flats in Essex should have a HomeBuyers Report, however the only exception are converted properties which may need a Building Survey.
Most leasehold flats in Essex should have a HomeBuyers Report, however the only exception are converted properties which may need a Building Survey.
Building Survey in Essex
Most freehold houses in Essex that are over 50 years old, that have been refurbished/developed or are unusual in style should get a Building Survey.
A Building Survey used to be called the Full Structural Survey and is the most comprehensive visual inspection a surveyor can provide.
Choosing a HomeBuyers Report when you should have a Building survey can be costly if key defects don't get reported in the detail you require.
A Building Survey used to be called the Full Structural Survey and is the most comprehensive visual inspection a surveyor can provide.
Choosing a HomeBuyers Report when you should have a Building survey can be costly if key defects don't get reported in the detail you require.
If you are unsure which survey to choose you can call our surveyors and they'll help you choose - Call 01245 330 486.
Choose which survey based on its type, style and age then get a competitively priced Home Buyers Survey Essex quote.
