Historic Building Surveys
What are they? Who needs one? Do I need a specialist surveyor?
Great Britain is awash with historic & listed buildings
Why do I need a specialist historic house surveyor?
We recommend always using a specialist when dealing with historic properties. Due to the age, delicacy, and heritage craftsmanship used in a historic house’s construction, there may be issues that only an experienced specialist surveyor can identify. Learn why heritage houses and properties are a complex field, and why a specialist historic or listed building survey is the best course of action.
Humble Workers Cottages to Stately Homes
Great Britain is awash with historic and listed buildings. From humble workers cottages to stately homes, you are never too far from a historic building. Many of these are grade 2, grade 2*, and grade 1 listed, or in conservation areas. Some are even scheduled ancient monuments. As historic house surveyors, we undertake surveys on Georgian, Edwardian, and Victorian properties. From DIY to contracted work, we are sometimes surprised at their condition and “improvement” measures.
Often, these old building have been continuously inhabited since their construction. As times and trends have changed, so have historic homes. Whether harmless cosmetic changes to more complicated, deep-rooted problems, we’ve seen it all. One recurring issue is the use of cement-based mortars and renders on stone and brick walls. This aesthetic change may lead to damp issues as moisture from the outer surface cannot evaporate. The issue is then compounded by frost damage, accelerated erosion, and pervasive damp to interior surfaces.
Specialised Historic Building Surveyors
Much of what we do helps you understand the history of the building and unravel the timeline of changes made. For example, a 17th century building may have originally been timber framed. As the years went on, a brick façade may have been added during the Georgian period, as was the fashion of that time. Further changes to the rear of the building may have been added in the 19th and 20th century as the inhabitants’ needs changed.
Obtaining correct advice from qualified professionals is vital to maintaining the property for future generations. This is where Chartered Reid Surveyors can help. We have a wealth of experience with historic and listed building surveys. The director and senior surveyor served traditional apprenticeships at York Minster following the 1984 South Transept fire. This is where they learned their love of older buildings and the traditional construction techniques used to maintain them.
We are comitted to using industry best practices, as exemplified by our high quality of work and association with globally recognised institutes, societies, and associations. Trained staff are members of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, the Chartered Institute of Building Engineers, the Chartered Institute Of Building, the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings, and the Independent Surveyors and Valuers Association.
While we possess numerous pieces of surveying equipment such as pole cameras and endoscopes for inspecting the hard to reach parts of a property, the best pieces of equipment are good observational skills and experience. Part of a historic survey involves looking into the history of the building and surrounding area for context of environmental and historic factors affecting the building today. This information comes from online sources and our extensive library collection.
Examples of Listed Properties Surveyed
The images on this page show the wide variety of property types we have surveyed. Among these examples are cottages and stately homes. In some images we highlight common inappropriate repairs undertaken by well-meaning owners. We elaborate on how these changes have led to further damage or how the original defect has not been resolved.
Call us today on 01904 468881 to book your survey, and receive expert advice.
Image 1
Parts of this hall date from the 18th century, with numerous alterations and extensions since.
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A classic example of a timber framed house.
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In one of York’s main streets, this property started as a timber framed building but was later modernised with a brick façade in the 18th century. There have been numerous extensions added since.
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Arts and crafts designs look to the past.
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Classic stone-built hall
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Extended stone farmhouse
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Thermal Imaging is available. This one shows York Minster.
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Late Victorian country retreat.
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This house made in the Arts and Crafts design had been empty for many years.
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Old village school conversions require careful repair and maintenance.
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Italianate style villa.
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Former hotel converted to flats in Whitby.
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Grade 1 and Grade 2 buildings can be side by side.
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17th century timber framed gallery.
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Inappropriate damp proofing repairs on a Grade 2 listed building.
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Crow step gable
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Eroded brickwork should be repaired using lime based products.
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Large sections of this roof covering had been replaced. Inappropriate spray foam insulation had been applied, and largely removed. This product can accelerate timber decay in the roof timbers.
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‘As a rule we recommend a Survey’
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If the foundations are not correct, then movement will occur.
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This chimney needed rebuilding.
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Evidence of previous structural repairs.
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Woodworm and previous repairs under a refurbished roof.
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Cement render over a chalk wall had trapped moisture in the fabric. The chalk was friable and the wall had bulged.
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Chalk walls are often found on the East coast.
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The hearthstones of a rubble filled wall.
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Damp in a solid stone wall
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Erosion of stone blockwork.
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I have been a surveyor now for half of my life and a lifetime of looking at these defects never ceases to amaze me. Our team of skilled surveys often trot back in to HQ at the end of the day with stories of horror.
Jon Charters-Reid
What We Provide
Why use us?
Many surveyors and property professionals DO NOT have the essential qualifications- WE DO, you should check after all I have a degree in building surveying- many don’t. I HAVE WRITTEN A BOOK on the housing market as a published author you can rely on our company.
If they are not qualified you should steer clear of them.
As a Chartered Builder myself and a Chartered Building Surveyor. I am also a Chartered Building Engineer from a trade background so our company is more than qualified to help you out. Call today for more info in your area.
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