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Technical blog: Condition Surveys of Historic Properties

— 19 Mar 2019 by Julian Clayton


#803

Grade II* listed Halsway Manor, Somerset

#801

Historic cottage on an estate in the Teign Valley, Devon

#802

Grade II listed Berry House, North Devon

#805

Grade II listed Manor, near Exmoor, Devon

1 Grade I listed Manor historic property

With the ever-rising price of properties it can be very difficult to find your ideal property in the right location for the right price.

Provided you do your research and carry out all the necessary checks and balances, buying a historic property can represent really good value for money.

It can be fantastic to live in a listed building with a fabric that was built perhaps hundreds of years ago. Not only do you get to see the beauty of the architecture every day, but you can imagine and reflect on the history and events that have taken place in your house over the previous years.

If the building is listed there are additional responsibilities and obligations that are not required of the owner of a more conventional home.

The key to success is to obtain a full condition survey of the fabric. This is normally carried out by an Architect or sometimes a Surveyor who is accredited in building conservation.

Not only will this provide you with an in-depth analysis of the property’s condition element by element with advice on defects, repairs required and maintenance options, but it also provides a guide to the aesthetic options and how to repair and restore your historic building in a sympathetic way so as to preserve and maintain its original character.

This is important not only to maintain the historic fabric, but it also will maintain and possibly enhance the asset value of your property.

If you are considering alterations to your listed building, condition surveys can be a real benefit in helping you obtain listed building consent as they provide the information for the local authority conservation department to assess the proposed changes and give a level of confidence that you are making the right decisions.

5 reasons why you should commission a full historic condition survey.

  • Establishes the true condition of all parts of the fabric of the house.
  • Provides a basis for a programme of repair, renovation and maintenance.
  • Provides guidance of how to enhance and /or restore the full value of your property asset.
  • Can give insight to the historic development of the building and the changes that have occurred over the span of its lifetime.
  • Helps to get the true aesthetic value from your property.

If you would like to discuss condition surveys in more detail, please contact us.

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