PROPERTY SURVEYS AND PARTY WALL ADVICE IN SAFFRON WALDEN

Taylor Mitchell Surveyors is a multidisciplinary practice with a focus on residential property. We offer a range of valuation and surveying services in Saffron Walden including Building Surveys, Specific Defect Reports and Leasehold Valuations.

Party wall procedures are a particular area of expertise. Our team have vast experience in acting for either owner or as the ‘agreed surveyor’. Having an experienced surveyor involved from the outset can make all the difference and may even help to avoid a dispute altogether. Whether you’re preparing to extend your Saffron Walden property or have just received a notice from your neighbour, contact us for some free and friendly advice.

All of our surveyors, assistants and support staff are trained to the highest standards for the benefit of our Saffron Walden clients. In addition to their professional qualifications, everyone goes through an intensive in-house training programme designed around the work of each department they work within.

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If you require advice on any residential surveying matter please call us for some free advice or drop us an email.

Recent Activity in Saffron Walden

When evidence of condensation is found during a survey inspection it can be difficult to determine what is inherent to the property and what is being caused by the actions of the occupants (particularly if the property is tenanted). Drying clothes on radiators and not turning on fans are common contributory factors.

We had an example recently when our senior surveyor, Justin Burns, inspected a purpose built flat to the north of the town centre as part of preparing an RICS Level 2 Report. Mould was noted to several areas including to the reveals of the window openings. Justin highlighted the factors that were contributing to the issue, including poorly insulated walls and a heating system that was difficult to control, but also recommended that our client monitor the situation following occupation.

Our client was pleased with the service commenting that “the survey was comprehensive, easy to understand”.

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Our senior surveyor, Justin Burns, recently prepared an RICS Level 3 Home Survey on a late Victorian semi-detached house. The Level 3 is the most comprehensive of the RICS reports and is ideal for properties of this age where the client also wants some advice on repairs and future maintenance.

Where a significant issue, such as dampness, is reported the Level 3 not only describes the symptoms but goes on to explain how the full extent of the problem can be established and provide details of the likely remedial works. There is also an option to include the estimated costs of remedying any issues raised which can be useful as part of the initial renegotiation.

Our client was happy with the report commenting that it was “thorough and easy to understand”.

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One of the frustrations with undertaking pre-purchase surveys is the need to avoid even minor damage as, of course, our client does not yet own the property. We can’t, for example, take up part of a suspended floor to have a look at the joists below.

We had an interesting exception recently on a terraced property in one of the villages to the north of Saffron Walden where our client had noticed that one of the floors was springy. We managed to get agreement from the owner to drill a small hole through the floorboards in a location that was generally hidden from view. That made it possible to insert an endoscope and confirm that the floor structure was actually fine and the springiness was limited to the laminated covering.

Our client was pleased with the additional effort commenting that “Justin was very thorough and I had confidence from the start”.

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Our senior surveyor Justin Burns MRICS recently completed an RICS Level 2 survey on single storey almshouse close to Saffron Walden town centre. An almshouse is a dwelling that was originally owned by a charity.

The property had been plagued with gutter leaks over the years which inevitably causes damage to the brickwork below – the moisture affecting the face of the bricks freezes and delaminates (known as ‘spalling’). Justin advised that replacing damaged bricks was difficult but that a skilled bricklayer could make good the damage with mortar that is dyed and shaped to match the existing bond. There were various other issues common with older style properties, including loose flashings, eroded pointing and deteriorated timber which he also included in his report complete with photos and advice on the next steps.

Our client was happy with the service and commented in their review that “The survey was thorough and the report was comprehensive and easy to digest”

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Explore our services

We can draft your party wall notices for a flat fee of £65 per adjoining owner and are available to prepare schedules of condition or a party wall award should a dispute arise.

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We regularly act for adjoining owners to ensure that the risk of damage is kept to a minimum and occupants do not suffer unnecessary inconvenience.

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The Level 2 Survey is designed to provide buyers with enough information to make a reasoned and informed decision on whether to proceed with their purchase.

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The Level 3 Survey is a very detailed report. We'll examine the structure of the building closely and undertake a surface examination of the services.

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Contact Us

If you require advice on any residential surveying matter please call us for some free advice or drop us an email.

ABOUT SAFFRON WALDEN

Saffron Walden is a market town located in north Essex, approximately equidistant between Bishops Stortford and Cambridge. There has been a market in the town since 1141 and it continues to operate in the square every Tuesday and Saturday. It was voted the “Best Small Outdoor Market” in 2018.

The town has a wealth of historic buildings which are best seen on foot by following the Town Trail. An undoubted highlight is the mediaeval Walden Castle which has undergone extensive repairs in recent years. There’s also a museum next door to the castle for those interested in digging further into the town’s history.

The town has something of an obsession with mazes – there are four in total, two of which are historic, and the town even has an occasional maze festival. The turf maze on the common is the largest example of its type in the world and is one of only eight surviving turf mazes in the country.

Schools would not normally be amongst a town’s attractions but not many schools have a cinema and award winning concert hall. The 740 seat Saffron Hall was added to Saffron Walden County High School in 2013 at a cost of £10 million. The cinema, which is also open to the public, is run on a not for profit basis by local volunteers.

The town no longer has a train station, the branch line closed in 1964, but Audley End Station is located approx. a mile to the west from where direct trains run to London (Liverpool Street) and Cambridge.

WHY CHOOSE PETER BARRY

PARTY WALL SPECIALISTS

Leading Cambridge-based party wall specialists with a 20+ year history.

RICS Surveyors

Breadth & depth of expertise provided by experienced team of RICS surveyors.

Professional Team

Straight forward and honest professional, impartial advice.

Best Practice

Up-to-date understanding of best practice and case law through training and CPD.

Governing Bodies

Members of relevant governing bodies – RICS, FPWS, P&T.

Contact Us

If you require advice on any residential surveying matter please call us for some free advice or drop us an email.

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