When you purchase houses for sale Burnley, it is a major investment, which is why it’s crucial to recognize any signs of danger before you sign a contract and that’s where our checklist for house inspections comes in.
Designed to help you identify the issues that a house might be hiding, in addition to showing how to spot the plus points of a home that other prospective buyers may miss, our home checking checklist for viewing will give you all the pointers you need to ensure that when you make an offer for your desired home, you’ll feel confident in your decision.
If you decide to buy the property, we’d always advise you get a building survey before making the big investment. This is especially relevant for those who are planning to purchase the property for renovation or a period property.
1. What is the general condition for the House?
The first thing to do is. Before you even step foot inside the property take a step back and look over it for possible issues.
Although we’ll go into more in depth on this, there are a few simple checks you can do in the beginning when looking at the property in person:
Are there any huge visible cracks within the brickwork or render?
Does the roof appear to be in good shape?
Are the windows all straight and the glass in place?
Do you see any indications of damp, such as streaks of water or peeling paint on the walls?
Do you think the chimney is straight?
Are the rainwater supplies in good condition? Or are they missing or blocked?
A building inspection will aid you in determining if cracks, for instance, are something to be concerned regarding, should you choose to purchase the home. Remember that a building survey is different from an appraisal of mortgages and is designed to give an overall view of the condition of the house.
2. Is it in a good Location?
It’s a test that you can do prior to you view the property. It is likely that you feel comfortable with the general area a house is located before you even visit it, but take the time to investigate the local schools, amenities, transport links and such.
Also, take an look at the neighbouring properties in case you are thinking about an extension or modifications that require planning approval, it may be helpful to check out the work done to adjacent homes as it should give you an idea of what local planners will accept.
“It’s worthwhile to look into prices for homes that have sold in the area. If you are planning to embark for major renovations or an extension, will the cost of the work together with the cost you pay for the property, exceed the ceiling value for the street or area?” begins Claire Lloyd, Editor of Homebuilding & Renovating.
“If this will be your ‘forever home’ and you’re planning to stay there forever, this might not be a concern for you. If you do plan to sell up sometime in the future you’ll need to be sure that this purchase helps you step up on the ladder of property and won’t put you in negative equity.”
3. How do you describe the Planning History Like?
This brings us back to the planning history. A quick search on the section on planning on your local council website will show the planning applications that were made on the property, and the results.
This can be useful it is possible that the house in its present condition, is too small for you and you would have to build an extension to meet your needs, yet several applications for extensions have so far been turned down This might not be the right house for you.
4. Is There Scope to Expand?
With planning permission in place The house is adequate to be extended? There is enough space around the property for an extension, or has it already been extended to the limits?
Even if there is space for the garden to expand into, will this leave you with your home as a the house with no garden?
It can help to show the blueprints of your house to the architect or designerThey will likely be able to think out of the box and think of ideas that you wouldn’t have thought of.
If you’re planning on expanding, you should carry the drainage survey prior to buy the property this will help you identify the location of the drains and could have implications about how and where you could extend.
“A drainage inspection will aid in determining whether there are any issues that need to be addressed (such as damaged drainage pipes, or pipes that aren’t properly connected),” says Homebuilding and Renovating’s Editor Claire Lloyd.
“Some issues are relatively cheap to address, while other issues could cost thousandswhich should be included in the cost you pay for the property.”
5. Is Off Road Parking Off Road?
While not all people feel the need for off-road parking however it can be useful — particularly when you have animals or kids.
Consider the parking location for visitors during their stay. If you are planning on getting work done, you should be thinking about where you could place a skip or large deliveries.
If there’s no off-road parking at present can we make a new driveway? And submit a request to the local council to include an unfinished kerb?
6. What condition What Condition is your Roof in?
It is a crucial test since repairing roofing can be a costly business.
Externally, the signs of roof damage include broken tiles, missing or falling off as well as damaged and missing flashings. You should also check for crumbling or missing pointed edges on the verges and the absence of underfelt.
If you’re evaluating a house for renovation it is essential to check for indications of leaks since this will also point to an underlying roof structure that has somehow been damaged.
The severity of the damage and the long it has been in the same condition will determine how much is required to put right. While replacing a few roof tiles isn’t going to cost a fortune (a couple of hundred pounds should pay for it) severe damage may mean the whole roof covering must be removed and repaired — a process which will run well into the PS1,000s.
If the roof is sagging into the lower rooms, you will also need to factor in costs for new ceilings too.
7. Are the bricks in good In Good
Continue with the exterior checks, be on the look for any evidence of damage to the brickwork.
The mortar that is crumbling or missing from the joints will need replacing the mortar. While you are there, examine the chimney- does it look stable or is it at an angle?
“Is it the chimney’s chimney? Or is the flaunching (the mortar on the foundation of the chimney) cracked? If yes, it could be causing an issue with damp. These are generally easy to fix, based on how easily accessible the chimney is. However, they should be jobs you factor into your renovation budget,” says Homebuilding & Renovating’s Editor Claire Lloyd.
If the house is rendered with cracks, make sure you check them out- minor cracks are usually easily fixed, while larger cracks that are more threatening could indicate structural movement.
8. What Was the Construction Method of the House?
Analyzing the building method used in the house can be beneficial for several reasons.
If the home was built using solid walls and traditional materials such as lime render, you’ll be required to use breathable suitable materials to make repairs to avoid damp or condensation issues.
The walls of solid construction are also harder for insulation than cavities walls (more common in houses built in the postwar period after WWII).
It is crucial to determine the type of foundations your house is built on too — some old houses were built without any foundations, and this may present issues when it comes to expanding the home or adding extra floors.
In addition, it may be difficult to secure a mortgage on a house built of “non-standard” construction. This will often be flagged in the details of the estate agent; inviting cash offers only.
9. Will Windows and Doors Have to be replaced?
Inspect windows, doors and other external joinery details, such as fascia boards, for signs of rot and damages.
The smaller areas of wood that are rotten could be fixed and window repair is certainly better than replacement. However, if windows are in need of repair, it does pay to replace them on a comparable basis to ensure the character of the house isn’t ruined.
If the doors and windows have, at some stage been taken away and replaced with unattractive versions You might want to take into consideration the expense associated with making new replicas of originals.
10. Are There any signs of Damp?
Once inside the house Look for indications of damp. Some indicators of damp are:
A “fusty” damp smell
The walls are damp and have mouldy patches. the walls
White salt deposits on the brickwork
Plaster that has shattered on walls and ceilings
Wallpaper peeling and painting
Wet or dry the rot
It is important to understand that the majority of old homes tend to be damp and these issues tend to be resolved.
11. Have There Been Any Structural Movement?
This is a major one. Although structural subsidence and structural movement don’t always spell disaster however, it is essential to know what you’ll be facing before purchasing an investment property.
When you’re looking at houses, look for the following:
Cracks on doors and windows
Cracks that traverse several bricks (as opposed to stress fractures in plaster or a single bricks)
Collapsing lintels
Windows and doors which are stuck to their frames
Floors that are not even or damaged
If you suspect subsidence it is crucial to call an expert to examine the property- they will be able to advise you on the seriousness of the problem and whether expensive solutions or underpinning are likely to be required.
12. Will a Rewire be Required?
Wiring a house can cost approximately PS3000 for a three bedroom terraced house so it is vital to confirm whether this is a job that could be in the plans on the house you’re looking at.
A vintage fuse box, old-fashioned light switches, fabric-coated electrical flex, and round pin plugs are just a few of the things that are a giveaway.
13. Do you think a new heating system will be Needed?
Providing the house in question has central heating (some older houses in need of updating won’t) Do check whether or not it will require replacing or updating.
A lack of radiators and the presence of storage heaters or electric heaters is a clear indication that there isn’t central heating. If there is heating, make sure to check the age of the boiler — you may well require a new one.
The old, inefficient radiators might need updating, so it’s worth planning for the replacement of the radiators.
14. What’s the Loft Like?
Check out the loft. Even if you don’t plan for a loft conversion and are not planning on it, knowing what condition it’s in is crucial.
The most important questions to ask are the following: Does it have ample storage? Is it insulated? Is it safe to access?
If the house doesn’t have a loftarea, how many storage spaces are available in the rest of the house? Perhaps there’s a specially-constructed outbuilding or garage? Don’t underestimate the amount of storage space you may need.
15. Are there any large Trees Nearby?
Although trees can be gorgeous in the backyard, take the time to determine if the presence of large trees can cause problems in the future. Are they able to block light or block the view of other trees? For instance, large trees in very close proximity could also cause structural damage to the structure of the house.
Additionally, if you’re thinking of extending your property that could mean the nearby tree needs to be removed, ensure whether there are trees protection orders (TPOs) in place that would hinder your ability to complete the task.
16. Are they livable?
In the end, while it’s easy to get romantic about properties that need to be modernized consider whether it’s feasible to stay on the property while any work takes place.
If it is cold and you’re freezing in a cold room, without heat or water, and surrounded by construction that you don’t like, you could regret the choice to camp.
If the house isn’t liveable you will need to determine where you’ll stay while work is going on and also consider the cost of this.
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