𝐁𝐮𝐲𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐲? 𝐇𝐞𝐫𝐞'𝐬 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐒𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐂𝐡𝐞𝐜𝐤 𝐀𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐁𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐁𝐞𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐌𝐚𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚 𝐃𝐞𝐚𝐥

When you're house-hunting, it's easy to get swept up by stylish interiors, dreamy kitchens, or that perfect garden. But before you fall in love, take a step back and ask:

Is this building structurally sound?

The structure is the backbone of any property. If it’s compromised, you could be facing costly repairs, safety concerns—or major regrets.

Here are the key structural issues every buyer should look for before signing on the dotted line:

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐒𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐋𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐚𝐬 𝐚 𝐁𝐮𝐲𝐞𝐫

1. 𝐀𝐧𝐲 𝐌𝐚𝐣𝐨𝐫 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐬?

* Has the property been extended, had walls removed, or undergone a loft conversion?�→ Ask the estate agent directly.

* Were the works approved by Building Control and backed by structural engineer reports?�→ A building surveyor can help verify this.

* Poorly done alterations can lead to serious (and expensive) problems later.

2. 𝐂𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐖𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐬 𝐨𝐫 𝐂𝐞𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬

* Small hairline cracks can be harmless—but large, wide, or stepped cracks might mean structural movement or subsidence.

* A building surveyor can help verify this.

3. 𝐔𝐧𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧 𝐅𝐥𝐨𝐨𝐫𝐬 𝐨𝐫 𝐒𝐚𝐠𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐂𝐞𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬

* Listen for creaks and look for dips as you walk through the property.

* Sagging could point to problems with floor joists or roof structure.

* If in doubt, the building surveyor can help to check carefully.

4. 𝐑𝐨𝐨𝐟 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐋𝐨𝐟𝐭 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬

* From outside, check whether the roofline looks straight and stable.

* In the loft, look for signs of damp, sagging beams, or patchy repairs.�→ Don’t forget to glance up at ceiling corners while viewing.

5. 𝐃𝐚𝐦𝐩, 𝐌𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝, 𝐨𝐫 𝐖𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐃𝐚𝐦𝐚𝐠𝐞

* These issues don’t just look bad—they can rot timber and weaken the structure.

* Look closely near windows, external walls, and ceilings for signs of moisture.

6. 𝐑𝐞𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐖𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐄𝐱𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐂𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐬

* If the property sits on a slope, inspect retaining walls for bowing, leaning, or cracking.

* Check brickwork for bulges or gaps in mortar joints.�→ A surveyor can flag structural risks you might not notice.

 𝐍𝐞𝐞𝐝 𝐀𝐝𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐨𝐧 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐲 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐨𝐫𝐬 𝐏𝐨𝐬𝐭-𝐏𝐮𝐫𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐬𝐞?

Once you’ve ensured your new home is structurally sound, 𝐑𝐨 𝐓𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞 is here to help make it yours.

We offer:

* Interior design tailored to your space

* Measured building surveys for accurate planning

* Stylish, practical solutions to transform your home with confidence