Party Wall & Property Surveys in Felixstowe

Peter Barry Surveyors have been providing residential surveying services to the residents of Felixstowe since 2007. Our experienced team of surveyors are very familiar with the properties in the area and are therefore ideally placed to provide advice if you’re thinking of buying in Felixstowe. We offer both Level 2 and 3 RICS Survey Reports so please call us to discuss which would best suit your needs.

We have a dedicated Party Walls team to provide advice if you are planning to undertake works to your Felixstowe property or have been notified of works by a neighbour. We can assist with serving party wall notices, drawing up awards or just preparing a schedule of condition.

Other areas of expertise include Lease Extensions and Valuations for all purposes. Contact us today for some free advice.

Contact Us

If you require advice on any residential surveying matter please call us for some free advice or drop us an email.

Recent activity by Peter Barry Surveyors in Felixstowe

Our surveyor Justin Burns recently prepared a Level 3 Building Survey on a 19th Century detached cottage close to the village of Kirton which is located approx. 4 miles in land from Felixstowe. The inspection was completed within 3 days of our instruction being confirmed and the report prepared well within our standard 5 days turnaround for Building Surveys.

The property had a damp issue across the front wall which appeared to be caused by bridging to the damp-poof course (DPC). The report highlighted the issue and considered the methods of resolving it. Our surveyor dealt with a number of follow-up queries over the subsequent days.

With the report in hand, our client could proceed with a good idea of what to expect in terms of remedial works. They commented ‘we really love this property, and just want to make sure it’s not doomed and we don’t need to spend thousands and thousands just to make it safe. It sounds like this isn’t the case. Thank you, that helps put my mind at ease!

We were recently instructed to schedule the condition of properties to either side of a development site on the outskirts of a village just across the River Orwell from Felixstowe. The site had been the location of a pub but would now house residential properties.

The building owner had already secured the adjoining owners’ consent under the Party Wall Act but that consent was conditional upon a local Chartered Surveyor preparing schedules of condition. The schedules are a written record of the condition of those parts of the adjoining properties at risk from the works and is recorded just prior to works commencing. The written record is supported by a set of photographs.

Our surveyor Justin Burns undertook the instruction and managed to visit both properties on the same day meaning that we could pass the saving on to our client. Work was due to commence the following week.

It’s essential to have an accurate record of the condition of the adjoining owner’s property to include in a party wall award as it may be required if there is a dispute later in the process regarding the cause of reported damage. This will take the form of a schedule of condition which includes a written description of any existing cracks together with supporting photographs.

The schedule of condition is traditionally prepared by the surveyor acting for the building owner while being shadowed by the adjoining owner surveyor who will check it later. This was the procedure followed by our surveyor on a recent party wall dispute in the seaside town of Dovercourt which is located to the south of Felixstowe on the opposite side of the River Orwell.

It’s important that the descriptions within the schedule of condition are specific as any vagueness could be misinterpreted to cover defects that occur as a result of the works. It was necessary in this case for our surveyor, who was acting for the adjoining owners, to request that descriptions were tightened up following review.

.

When inspecting a property that has been empty for some time it can be difficult to determine how seriously to treat evidence of condensation – is it just the result of the property being unoccupied and unheated, or does it date back further?

Our surveyor Justin Burns faced this challenge recently when preparing an RICS Level 2 survey on a retirement flat in central Felixstowe. Mould growth was noted around the windows but, being a vacant flat, there was nobody to ask when it had first appeared. The windows were double glazed but dated and were allowing the reveals to get cold and, when combined with a dated heating system, attract condensation. Justin also included advice on what appeared to be a poorly performing bathroom extractor fan in case that was a contributing factor.

Our client appreciated the thoroughness of the inspection confirming that the report was ‘of a high standard and exactly what [they] asked for”.

READ THE FULL REVIEW

Our surveyor Justin Burns recently acted as the Agreed Surveyor in a party wall dispute relating to a single storey extension to a corner property close to the town of Aldeburgh. When recording the schedule of condition, it became clear that the adjoining property had suffered movement in the past and had several significant cracks. It’s part of the surveyor’s role to anticipate the risk of damage and include safeguards in the award.

Thankfully, in this case, the designer was aware of the issue and had specified a shallow raft type foundation avoiding the need for carefully sequenced excavation. The award reduced the risk further by requiring the building owner to cover any open excavation with an impervious board in advance of heavy rain.

The building owner was satisfied with how the process was handled commenting that Justin “acted quickly and professionally to set up a party wall award”.

READ THE FULL REVIEW

Loading Google Reviews

Further Reviews

You can read further reviews from our clients in and around Felixstowe on our Google Business page

Explore our services

We are experienced Party Wall Surveyors. If you are planning to undertake some work on your property which falls within the scope of The Party Wall etc.

FIND OUT MORE

Homebuyer Report is designed to provide buyers with enough information to make a reasoned and informed decision on whether to proceed with their purchase.

FIND OUT MORE

Previously known as a Full Structural Survey, the Building Survey is a very detailed report. We will examine closely the structure and condition of the building and undertake a surface examination of the services.

FIND OUT MORE

We can provide valuation reports in accordance with the Leasehold Reform Act (as amended) and we have the necessary expertise to undertake negotiations on behalf of Landlord or lessee.

FIND OUT MORE

Contact Us

If you require advice on any residential surveying matter please call us for some free advice or drop us an email.

About Felixstowe

Felixstowe is located on the Suffolk coast, just above the mouth of the River Orwell to the east of Colchester.

Most people think of the container port when you mention Felixstowe, that not surprising as it is the largest one in the country, but it’s also a seaside town. The 4 mile stretch of beach divides roughly between North and South – South Beach is sandier, has a long promenade and more facilities whereas the North Beach is more rural, quieter and therefore more suited to water sports.

If you are interested in the cargo ships, I’d suggest observing them from the comfort of the View Point Café on the Landguard Peninsula. The café provides a close up view of the vessels manoeuvring in and out of port and being unloaded by the giant quayside cranes. There’s even an interactive exhibition that charts the building of the dock to read during your visit.

The Landguard Peninsula also hosts a range of attractions including a Grade l listed fort, nature reserve, bird observatory and Felixstowe Museum. A visit to the fort is recommended to discover what life was like for those who manned it stretching back to the 17th Century.

Journeys to London Via train are via Ipswich although Ipswich is less than half and hour away and has a great range of shops and other amenities.

YOUR LOCAL PETER BARRY OFFICE

50 Princes St
Ipswich
Suffolk
IP1 1RJ

Telephone: 01473 356 546
Email: surveying@peterbarry.co.uk

Contact Us

If you require advice on any residential surveying matter please call us for some free advice or drop us an email.

WHY CHOOSE PETER BARRY

icon of award
PARTY WALL SPECIALISTS

Leading London-based party wall specialists with a 35+ year history.

icon
RICS Surveyors

Breadth & depth of expertise provided by experienced team of RICS surveyors.

icon of scales
Professional Team

Straight forward and honest professional, impartial advice.

icon of ow
Best Practice

Up-to-date understanding of best practice and case law through training and CPD.

members icon
Governing Bodies

Members of relevant governing bodies – RICS, FPWS, P&T.

I had a really positive experience with Shaun Blake at Peter Barry. The survey was very thorough and Shaun was on hand to answer several follow-up questions I hand. I would recommend them to anyone.
Requested a level 2 survey with Peter Barry and was very happy with the service, the survey goes above and beyond what I have experienced before and gave a very thorough breakdown of the risks and what next steps both I and the solicitor should take. I highly recommend going with them!
Response from the owner:Thank you for sharing your experience working with Peter Barry Surveyors.
I’m using them to help with lease extension and provide valuation, survey and advise on same. Still in the process, but they have very quick, efficient, professional and also helpful to date.
Lease extension is a tricky process so having them deal with this efficiently and provide clarity has been so welcome.
Response from the owner:We are pleased to hear how useful you have found our service.
Peter Barry offers an efficient and effective service. Helpful advice on various levels of homebuyers reports. It was so helpful to be able to talk things through with David Breeze. Recommended.
Response from the owner:Thank you for your recommendation Mr Greenwood.
Administrator Joanne was super quick to get me into their system and assigned Surveyor, David Breeze. David is delightful, wonderful, knowledgable, even helpful after surveying the property to assist me with outstanding tasks to make sure I was comfortable and understood the reports.
Response from the owner:We are pleased to hear that you were so satisfied with the service you received from David.
Excellent customer service.
Jaynell was extremely helpful and David Breeze provided us with a very comprehensive and detailed report.
We welcomed the opportunity to speak with him before and after the survey. He answered all our questions and addressed our concerns by recommending possible solutions. I have already recommended him and all at Peter Barry.
Thank you for a very positive customer experience.
Response from the owner:We appreciate your recommendation & positive feedback, thank you.
js_loader
Call Now Button