Party Wall & Property Surveys in Stowmarket

In an ideal world we would have a full set of detailed Building Regulation compliant drawings ready to be attached to a party wall award but, for budgetary reasons, that is not always the case. If Building Control are approving the works by inspection, they don’t always require drawings and variable details, such as the foundations depth, can be agreed on site.

Our surveyor Justin Burns was recently presented with some very basic hand drawn plans for a rear extension to a semi-detached property close to the village of Stowupland. As the extension was to be set back slightly from the boundary, it was only the excavation of the foundations that was covered by the Party Wall Act. We were therefore able to utilise the plan that was provided and supplement it with a section from our library to show both the site and likley depth of the excavation (as required).

The building owner was happy that the party wall award was put in place quickly and without the expense of additional drawings commenting that she would definitely use us again.

We recently completed a Survey on a Grade II listed cottage just north of the village of Hitcham which, like many heritage properties, had moved considerably over the years. Walls were significantly out of plumb, floors were sloping and the heads of door frames were noticeably out of level.

Buyers of heritage properties don’t expect everything to be perfectly square, that’s part of their charm, but they do want to know that the movement has not occurred recently. By definition, a survey is a snapshot of a property on a particular day, so does not offer the possibility of monitoring movement but there are generally signs to indicate if it has occurred recently. Cracking is the most obvious example but also gaps between perpendicular walls or between floors and walls. Evidence of movement can be disguised by decorations, but a fresh paint job would be a sign that further investigation may be necessary.

Our client was pleased with the report and appreciated the follow up call to discuss the issues raised.

For a party wall matter in Stowmarket, IP14, our surveyor Matthew Price, assisted by Katie Merchant, acted as the agreed surveyor i.e. for both the building owner and the adjoining owner. The building owner was proposing to construct a side and rear extension and had initially served their own notice. Upon review, our surveyors identified that only the excavation works had been notified, and not the works along the boundary line.

Katie advised the building owner accordingly, and we issued the additional required notice to ensure full protection of both parties’ rights. The adjoining owner raised concerns regarding scaffolding and the safety of their young child who regularly uses the garden, and Katie was able to provide reassurance by explaining the safeguarding measures that would be included within the award.

The building owner was pleased with the service received and, in a review, described the process as “fast” and “reliable”.