Home Buyers Survey in Barkingside
Barkingside is a settled Redbridge suburb that grew up around its railway — the Fairlop Loop opened in 1903, with Central line services following in 1947 — and its housing reflects that. Bay-fronted interwar semis and terraces make up much of the area, with some earlier Edwardian houses, later post-war stock and modern flats around Fullwell Cross and the High Street. It is solid, popular family housing — and, being mostly a century or so old, it rewards a survey matched to its age.
As chartered surveyors in Barkingside, we adjust the inspection to the property. The Edwardian and interwar houses bring solid or early-cavity walls, ageing roof coverings and rainwater goods, original or replaced windows, dated wiring and heating, and the damp and timber issues that come with age. Many have been extended or had loft and garage conversions, so we check those alterations are sound and were properly approved. The post-war stock is assessed on its own construction, some of which may be non-traditional, and modern flats call for attention to build quality and, on leasehold, the wider building and service charges.
For a modern flat or home in good order, a Level 2 (RICS Home Survey) is often proportionate. For any home built in the 1930s or earlier — Barkingside’s Edwardian and interwar houses — anything non-traditional, or a property significantly altered or extended, a Level 3 (Building Survey) is the wiser choice, with an element-by-element inspection and costed advice. Where you need a formal figure, our RICS Registered Valuer provides Red Book valuations for purchase, probate, matrimonial and other purposes.
Beyond survey and valuation work, we also prepare Schedules of Condition for landlords and tenants agreeing a property or commercial unit’s condition before a lease begins, advise on dilapidations at lease end, and act as expert witness, with reports prepared in accordance with CPR Part 35 for civil proceedings and the Family Procedure Rules where a matter falls within the family courts. We also carry out reinstatement cost assessments for buildings insurance, helping homeowners and landlords in Barkingside avoid the under- or over-insurance that comes from an outdated rebuild figure — see our reinstatement valuation service. Our Red Book valuations also cover Help to Buy and shared ownership staircasing and capital gains tax, in addition to the purchase, probate, matrimonial and lease extension work mentioned above — services relevant across Barkingside and the surrounding area, including Newbury Park, Gants Hill, Fairlop and Hainault.
We cover Barkingside and the surrounding area, including Newbury Park, Gants Hill, Fairlop and Hainault, with independent, RICS-regulated advice.