Chartered surveyors in Middlewich

Modern insulated construction to current Building Regulations, normally with a ten-year structural warranty, high levels of airtightness and mechanical ventilation in the newest homes.

What we usually find. Structural defects are uncommon; the recurring themes are condensation and interstitial damp where airtight construction meets ventilation that is switched off or never commissioned, along with workmanship snags in newer developments.

Worth knowing. On flats and any property with external wall insulation or cladding, establish the position on fire safety documentation early, as it can hold up a sale regardless of the building’s condition.

Insulated cavity walls, trussed rafter roofs, uPVC windows and, increasingly, timber-frame construction behind a brick outer skin. Most carry a warranty from new.

What we usually find. Generally sound, with issues tending to be maintenance rather than construction: sealed-unit windows losing their seal, render cracking, and condensation where ventilation has not kept pace with later draught-proofing.

Worth knowing. Timber frame behaves differently from masonry and should not be altered as though it were solid. Removing or breaching an internal wall without advice can be a real problem.

Cavity walls with insulation increasingly built in, flat-roofed elements such as garages, dormers and rear additions, and a broader range of manufactured materials.

What we usually find. Flat roofs of this era are frequently on their second or third covering and are a common source of water ingress. Textured coatings applied before the mid-1980s may contain asbestos, as may some cement products, soffits and floor tiles.

Worth knowing. Asbestos-containing materials are usually safe if undisturbed and in good order, but they matter a great deal if you intend to remove ceilings, take down a garage or open up the layout.