How do I Become a Chartered Surveyor?
If you have a passion for property, land and the built environment, then a career as a chartered building surveyor might be just for you! It’s a varied career option with lots to learn and a whole lot more to do, which has made it quite a popular option for those with an architectural interest. […]
Japanese Knotweed: Threat to Your Property Value!
When surveying a house, there are a lot of things you’re supposed to look for. Some of those things could be causing problems already or may cause problems in the future. For today’s blog we’re looking at a plant which you definitely don’t want to find on the property or near to it. Specifically, Japanese […]
Radon Danger In Your Home: What Homebuyers Need to Know
When you’re talking to a surveyor, you probably aren’t expecting a science lesson. But here we are! This week’s topic is radon. What it is, why it’s an issue, and why it could have an impact on your home purchase. It’s one of the lesser-talked about parts of surveying, but it’s very important from a […]
Spray Foam Removal
If you’ve decided to remove spray foam insulation from your home, then this article is for you. Maybe you’re concerned about condensation issues and all the problems they can cause. Or perhaps you’re dealing with issues selling the property, or obtaining finance to improve it. Whichever fits, you’ve decided the spray foam insulation needs to […]
The Hidden Dangers In Older Properties
When we’re asked to do surveys, most of them are carried out on properties that were built in the Victorian era, right up to those built just a few years ago. Although we love to get a look at older and listed buildings too, the bulk of our work is properties in this 60–65-year age […]
What Is An Expert Witness?
Disputes happen. In our industry, it’s usually about the quality of construction works, payments due under building contracts, dilapidations or claims of professional negligence. If legal action is taken to resolve the dispute, then you can ask to submit expert evidence to assist in a judgment. You have to ask permission to do this, but […]
Identifying Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete
RAAC is the much shorter way of saying Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete. RAAC has been making headlines in the last 6 months. But why? What’s so bad about it? And more importantly for people looking after public sector buildings, how do you identify it? What Is RAAC? RAAC was a commonly used building material in […]
Spray Foam Insulation Open or Closed Cell?
Every property needs insulation. It’s what keeps our homes so warm and toasty even through the harsh bite of English winters, and it’s an important part of the building process. But while having insulation itself is a legal requirement, the type of insulation is up to the builder to choose. In this article we’re going […]
Spray Foam Insulation – an introduction
Our experienced surveyors at Harrison Clarke are often asked for information on spray foam roof insulation and how it might affect the structural integrity of properties. In this article we look at what spray foam insulation is, why it could pose problems for your building, and the importance of seeking advice from qualified Building Surveyors. […]
How to identify RAAC (Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete)
Our experienced surveyors here at Harrison Clarke are often asked to identify whether Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC) is present in buildings. In this article, we explain what RAAC is and how it may be identified in your own properties. What is RAAC? Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete, or RAAC, is a lightweight form of reinforced […]