Building Survey in Newbury

Building Survey or RICS Level 2 Homebuyer Report

Newbury is a large town in Berkshire with a population of 34,000 people. While a historic town, there are large newbuild developments aimed at housing a steadily growing population.

 

Newbury town centre is home to the medieval Cloth Hall, built at the beginning of the Stuart period. This timber-framed property is the last surviving section of an original courtyard plan design forming the medieval market square. The grade I listed property has the highest grade given by Historic England, which identifies it as of exceptional interest.

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Listed properties require a specialist inspection prior to purchase. The potential pitfalls are many so it is essential that you instruct a survey at an early stage in your buying journey. A thorough inspection will give you just as much information about how to manage your listed property as it will about its condition and will help you effectively manage the piece of history you are about to purchase.


It is never appropriate to have a homebuyer report on a listed property. Many building surveys will not suffice, either. Please contact us if you wish to have your listed property surveyed in Newbury, we would be delighted to help.


About

Building Survey or Homebuyer Report

Although our office is in South Oxfordshire, the closest large town to us is Reading in Berkshire. Reading is a large and vibrant town with a population of around 175,000 and with aspirations to become England’s latest city, as well as direct rail links to central London, is an popular place to live.

 

While there are older buildings in Reading, it really is a Victorian town and many of the properties are of typical Victorian terraces on Victorian street plans with suitable Victorian names, such as Elgar Road or St Bartholomew Road.

 

From 1850 and 1900 the population of Reading grew from 21,500 to over 72,000. With such growth, housing provisions also increased dramatically and these Victorian properties are the most common in Reading.

RICS Level 2 Homebuyer Report in Newbury

A building surveyor in Newbury must be able to cover all the bases when it comes to property inspection.

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There are many draws to Newbury, such as top ranked schools Downe House and Enborne C.E. Primary School; global companies like Vodafone and of course the world renown Newbury Race Course.

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With these come a need for new houses and there is a wealth of development in Newbury to account for growing population. Many of these houses were built post-1950 and so are likley suitable for our Homebuyer Report. We like to think out Homebuyer Report are the highest standard around, see our Homebuyer Report page for more information about what we offer over and above our competitors.           


Building Surveys in Newbury

Newbury was adjoined to Reading by the Kennet and Avon canal, with works completed on this stretch in the early 1800’s. This allowed Newbury to flourish, benefitting from the route of the Thames from Reading to London, and on to Bath and Bristol, and trade soon saw prosperity to the area.

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As a result of this, there is a wealth of Victorian housing stock in Newbury and its surrounding areas. Any property older than 1950 is suitable for a building survey. The building survey is our highest level of inspection and is especially important for these older properties. Specialist equipment such as the thermal imaging camera, and thermohydrometer, help us to assess damp and mould in these buildings – a big worry for many buyers of traditionally built properties.

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See our Building Survey page for more information on what we can offer in Newbury, or take a look at our blog for discussion about what a building survey can offer you.


Why choose us for Homebuyer Reports and building surveys in Newbury?

Local knowledge is so important for surveyors. A building surveyor in Newbury must be aware of flood risk, soil composition, and radon levels, to name a few. This information can be coupled with the information noted on site and help give information not only on short-term remedial works but long-term management strategies to keep your home happy.

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We hold high standards when it comes to surveying standards and customer service. See our Testimonials to read some of our 5-star feedback.


Common Questions About Property Surveys in Newbury

  • Why are building surveys important in Newbury?

    Newbury has a mix of modern developments and older housing, including Victorian and pre-1950 properties. Local factors such as flood risk from the River Kennet and Lambourn, along with varying soil conditions, mean a detailed property survey in Newbury is important to identify issues that may not be visible during a viewing.

  • Do you survey listed buildings and older properties in Newbury?

    We regularly inspect older properties in Newbury, including those built using traditional materials and construction methods. While we do not undertake surveys on listed buildings directly, we can refer you to a trusted specialist with the appropriate expertise.

  • Is damp a common issue in Newbury properties?

    Damp can be a concern in some Newbury properties, particularly older homes with solid walls or where ventilation has been altered. Where damp is identified, the focus is on diagnosing the underlying cause and providing appropriate advice based on the type of construction.

  • How do you inspect roofs and hard-to-access areas?

    Some properties in Newbury have roofs and chimney areas that are difficult to assess from ground level. High-level areas can be inspected using equipment such as drone technology, allowing for a safer and more thorough roof inspection in Newbury. This approach helps highlight defects that are often not visible from ground level. You can view examples on our drone roof inspection page.

  • Should I choose a Homebuyer Report or a Building Survey in Newbury?

    Most properties built after 1950 in Newbury are suitable for a RICS Level 2 Homebuyer Report. Older, extended, higher-value, or non-standard properties are typically better suited to a full Level 3 Building Survey, which provides a more detailed analysis of condition and future maintenance.

  • How long does a survey take in Newbury?

    Most property inspections in Newbury are completed within a few hours, depending on the size and complexity of the property. Survey reports are typically delivered within a few working days.

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Newbury is a fantastic place to live. Instructing a building survey or a homebuyer report from a local building surveyor is the next step in your property buying journey.