Oxford Building Surveys by Henderson Surveyors

Tel: 07870914895

Email: info@hbsurv.co.uk

Based between Reading and Oxford, we cover the whole of Berkshire and Oxfordshire.

Building Survey in Oxford

Building Survey or RICS Level 2 Homebuyer Report

The world renowned City of Oxford is home to some of the most documented history of any area of the United Kingdom.

Much of Oxfords history can be seen in its buildings and there are not many more impressive than those of the Oxford Colleges. While we may never get to survey one, as they have their own qualified curators, it is a joy for surveyors in Oxford and a unique place to survey.

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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.

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Should I instruct a Building Survey in Oxford

In short; Yes.

Oxford is an historic city. The architecture is varied but often grand and impressive. Being home to many listed, period and traditionally built properties, a building survey for a property in Oxford is a must before you commit to purchase.

Much of the housing stock in Oxford was built pre-1950 and so should be inspected with a RICS Building Survey.

Commonly, most defects will not be readily apparent when you view with the estate agent. While thing can be hidden, this is actually because most property defects will start at the very top and the very bottom of a property – two areas that receive the most attention from a RICS building survey.

We carry out all roof and chimney inspections using drone photographs. This is the gold standard and, aside from setting up a load of scaffolding, the only way to truly view high level areas of any property. There are countless occasions we have found valleys filled with moss, parapet walls failing, and chimneys on the brink of collapse – all that would have been missed if your surveyor didn’t have a drone or a pole camera.

Don’t be blasé, although widely available, the majority of surveyors in Oxford, will not be using drones – so ensure yours does!

At a low level we check for damp, and if we find it, we will diagnose it too. While sometimes this may mean we need to drill to test for damp at depth – unfortunately an invasive survey would be needed – the majority of the time in traditional buildings we can advise on remedial actions without this as the mechanisms are often clear. We use thermal imaging and thermohygrometer readings to help us check for current issues and help prevent future issues.

Check out our Building Survey page to see what we offer as standard in our reports.

Building Surveys in Oxford

With a population of around 170,00 people, there are many properties, and many surveyors in Oxford. You have to offer something different to stand out from the crowd and our Building Surveys do just that. We offer over 100 pictures per report, high level drone inspections as standard, post inspection phone call and follow up, specialist equipment such as thermal imaging and thermohygrometer, and local knowledge.

Check out our blog for interesting posts such as ‘What is a Building Survey’ and ‘Can a Building Survey Save me Money’. Older properties often need widespread repair and ongoing sympathetic maintenance. So a Building Survey in Oxford, from a local Oxford surveyors could save you money in the short and long term.

RICS Level 2 Homebuyer Report in Oxford

Despite its history, Oxford has the problem that the rest of the country faces too – not enough residential buildings!

Converting older buildings into residential dwellings is difficult in cities like Oxford, due to the wide spreading conservation areas and many listed buildings. So new built developments are popping up in the greater Oxford areas, properties that are ideally served by the Homebuyer Report.

We like to think that we offer the best homebuyer reports around. With 50 pictures per report, high level photography using a drone, 24hr turnaround as standard and an overview phone call after the inspection, we go above and beyond to offer a top level service.

A homebuyer report is suitable on properties built after 1950, have not been extensively extended and are of standard construction. See our Homebuyer Report page for full detail of what make us a top Oxford surveyors.

Considerations when buying a property in Oxford

There is no other purchase of such value that you would go into without a professional opinion. AA garage second hand cars, certificate of authenticity, the makers mark; you get the picture; so it is essential that you go into a house purchase with your eyes open.

A Building Survey or Homebuyer report, from a highly rated Oxford surveyors should be your first port of call. Local knowledge, exacting standards and 5-start reviews – see our testimonials – make us stand out from the crowd for surveyors Oxford, Oxfordshire, Cotswolds and beyond!

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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.

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