Risk of flooding

January 30, 2014 By

As the rain lashed down, it seemed rather appropriate that RMA Surveyors Ltd attended a continual professional development seminar yesterday on flood management organised by 3CPD (www.3cpd.co.uk).

Hosted by Claire Thirlwell, a chartered landscape architect, the principles and practicalities of flood management were discussed, based on her experience designing schemes to reduce floods occurring.

With another day of rain today and more parts of the country becoming flooded, it seems more important than ever that we take flooding into consideration when buying a property.

People should ensure the correct searches are carried out and get a building survey undertaken by a professional to ensure the potential new acquisition is not at risk and if it is, that it is highlighted as such.

It’s better to be prepared, so if you know your property is in an area that could flood, install appropriate protection measures well in advance to reduce the risk of flood water getting inside.

If you’re unfortunate to have suffered from flood damage to your property, we can assist you too.

Under the terms of your insurance policy you are often able to employ your own independent building surveyor to oversee the insurance reinstatement of your property, rather than relying on the overstretched surveyors appointed by loss adjusters.

Remember it is your property and you are free to appoint your own independent surveyor to specify, tender and oversee works on your behalf. An insurance policy often covers the fees of an independent surveyor, like RMA Surveyors Ltd. Providing you are adequately covered it should not cost you a penny to get impartial, qualified and quality advice and management for the duration of the insurance reinstatement works from us.

If your property has suffered from any flood damage, or you’re looking to purchase a house in a flood risk area, contact us for some professional advice.

Filed Under: building survey, Building Surveying, Defects, diagnosing damp, Insurance reinstatement, Newbury, Residential, RICS Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

Do We Need Another 1930's House Building Boom?

January 22, 2013 By

1930's semi detached houses1930's semi detached housesAn article published by the Guardian proposes that a 1930’s style housing boom may be the key to boosting the economy.

The article states that 1930’s Britain was the first country to come off the gold standard. As such it was able to devalue the currency, assisting manufacturer’s exports and allowing the interest rate to be cut to 2% for a period of almost 20 years. The article cites that this laid the grounds for the private sector driven residential construction boom which helped the country out of the economic depression.

The article notes that whilst today’s interest rate is at an all time low, our economic recovery has been protracted.

Clearly, our modern economic landscape is very different from the 1930’s. The article recognises we are a more consumer and service driven economy and far removed from the primarily industrial economy of the post industrial revolutions.

What the article doesn’t make light of is that the size and scope of the 1930’s industry massively supported the construction sector. Innovations and materials were abundant and a transient skilled and semi-skilled labour market was available.

The demise in UK based manufacturing; the deskilling of the workforce, through the erosion of apprenticeships and lean production methods makes it difficult to apply the same 1930’s template to today’s economy.

The article states:

Open-quoteGovernment policy today has the avowed intent of pushing up asset prices, which is good news for the haves but not so for the have nots.Close-Quote

The article goes onto cite a report by the Centre for Cities. Which argues that funding stagnant developments in towns and cities where there is high housing demand, such as Reading, would provide immediate economic growth. In areas where there is less housing demand refurbishment of existing run down developments is a better route to economic stimulus.

Government policy needs to be decisive to support a massive building program. Compared to 1930’s Britain there is less land, tighter planning regulation and a great deal of uncertainty as to what interest rates will do in the forthcoming months. Government incentives that meet these issues head-on are thin on the ground. For example there are no large scale tax incentives to encourage large scale development and a limited government targets for building.

Ultimately the article recognises the central issue that prevents the government supporting a major house building program is the affect it may have on existing property prices. The market is currently reasonably buoyant due to high demand. A major house building programme will likely see a fall in values. A big help to the first time buyer, but an unwelcome development for those who took out a mortgage at the height of the 2008 market.

Filed Under: Building Surveying, Newbury, Residential, RICS, West Berkshire Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

A Cold Snap Could Snap Pipes

January 30, 2012 By

Bird box in the snowWith weather warnings announced for snow in parts of south Wales, the southwest of England and with a small fluttering of snow on cars this morning here in Berkshire, it’s forecast that we’re in for another cold snap this week.

A survey last year showed that over three million of us suffered damage to our homes in the winter freeze of 2010/2011. The extreme winter weather that occurred between October 2010 and February 2011 damaged 6% of all homes in the UK.

Often the biggest damage caused is the result of escape of water caused by frozen and burst pipes. Extreme cold can cause internal and external water pipes and drainage systems to freeze up, when this happens the water in the pipes expands and can cause the pipes and fittings to split or burst open. When the frozen water melts, damage becomes obvious as water leaks out of the system.

Leaking water can cause severe damage to properties. There is potential for ceilings to hold water, causing bowing and the possibility that the ceiling could collapse. Plaster may become soft and fall apart once it gets soaked with water. Floors, stairs and timber joinery often swell, disintegrate and can rot if left.  Tiles, paint and wallpaper can crack, lift, and peel off when water gets behind.

If you find yourself the victim of such water or flood damage, it’s likely you’ll need to make an insurance claim.

Once you put in your claim, an inspection will be required to assess the damage to your property. A detailed inspection is not something that a loss adjuster is always fully qualified to do and while your insurance company may offer you their in-house surveying service, it’s worthwhile knowing that you are not beholden to use their services. You are entitled to appoint your own independent building surveyor to assess, specify, tender and oversee reinstatement works. In our experience you will receive a far higher level of service when you use an independent construction professional to act as your project manager.

The independent and impartial expertise of RMA Surveyors Ltd, chartered building surveyors,  can determine the real extent of the damage to your property and ensure that your home is reinstated to a professional standard. If you are comprehensively insured there should be no direct cost to you.

If the cold weather results in you having to submit a claim, then contact us. We’ll be pleased to look at your claim and offer an initial free consultation. We have a proven track record in getting insurance claims moving and homes reinstated professionally and efficiently.

Richard Mountain MRICS

HOW TO PREVENT FREEZING PIPES
It’s never too late to go about protecting your home from the extreme cold weather. Why not implement these ideas to help prevent pipes from freezing:
– Lag exposed pipes with insulation
– Install loft and cavity wall insulation (special attention should be taken over pipes in loft spaces)
– Stop any dripping taps and valves, the water could freeze in the waste or overflow pipe and cause a blockage
– Keep your property warm, and if you are going away consider leaving the heating on low
– Try to stop any draughts
– Make sure you know where your stopcock is, should you need to turn off your water supply

Filed Under: Building Surveying, Insurance reinstatement Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,