Building Regulations to Consider Before Hiring Building Surveyors in London

No idea where to start with building control? Don’t worry. When you hire building surveyors in London, they’ll do all the hard work for you. 

If you’re renovating, building or buying a property, the term ‘building regulations’ has probably cropped up at some point or another. While they might sound like a pretty scary concept, they’re actually just a series of guidelines designed to keep your home safe and as environmentally friendly as possible.

Of course, it’s all very well and good throwing around the term ‘building regulations’ without explaining what they actually are. 

We’ve broken down a few of the most universally relevant building regulations that might crop up during your building control experience. 

Stairs

Got stairs in your new property? Chances are, you’ll probably have a handrail to go alongside them. As insignificant a detail as this might seem, building regulations require that every stair bannister is a certain height and depth to maintain complete safety.

Speaking of measurements, you will also need to make sure the ceiling over your stairs exceeds the minimum height, and your landing is over a certain width so as to not compromise areas of access.

Fire

One of the most common and crucial building regulations involves preventing fires, which would (obviously) be catastrophic to the property and potentially its inhabitants. UK regulations require homeowners to have a certain amount of wired fire alarms throughout the property. The exact requirements will depend on the size of the home itself.

If your property has an open-plan design, you may need to install a sprinkler or mist system somewhere in the house, as open-plan homes cannot have fire doors. This will ensure a further layer of security and reassurance from anyone living on the property.

Fans

For obvious reasons, kitchens are one of the most likely places in the house to catch fire.

To ensure you’re not putting your property at unnecessary risk, your building surveyor may ask that you install an efficient extractor fan. This will help to pull the air out to an external area.

It Depends...

…on your property, your location, and many other factors. Your building surveyor will always make a calculated, expert judgement based on an extensive inspection of the property. During that inspection, they will also uncover any building faults that have the potential to cause problems in the future. At the end of the process, you will receive a detailed report explaining their findings, along with expert advice on how you can overcome any issues that arise.

Making Homes Safer One Survey At a Time

We never want anyone to feel unsafe in their home. Our building surveyors are highly versed in the art of inspection and building control, which is what makes our services so unparalleled in the London area. We will always go above and beyond to make sure all our clients are satisfied and happy with our work.

Mid-building project and in need of the all-clear before you can go ahead? That approval is just a phone call away. Give us a call on 02072054938 to chat to one of our friendly staff members. We’re always happy to answer questions, or we can book in an inspection if you need building control services.

Your dream home is within reach; come and get it.

3 Common Issues Building Surveyors Can Help You Identify

If you plan to sell your home, you have to consider many things. One of them is the condition of your building. Take a closer look and if you notice that the walls, windows, doors, fixtures and appliances have become old or worn, get them replaced before it’s too late. You may be surprised to know that you can upgrade and renew the visual appeal of your bedroom, kitchen and living room by hiring the right professional for a building survey. You can quote a higher selling price if you make a few changes and enhance the aesthetic value of your home’s interior.

Identify These Issues By Hiring Building Surveyors In London

•     Discolouration
Though white walls can make any room look beautiful, they are prone to yellowing, impacting the room’s visual appeal and making the surface stains and dirt more visible. The best you can do is hire someone to paint the walls once you notice signs of discolouration. You can ask your building surveyors to suggest colours that will suit the design of your building.

•     Broken Doors And Windows
When it comes to doors and windows, issues can occasionally crop up over time, impacting the price of your property. They can bend or break if you fail to approach the correct installer. Since broken window panes are susceptible to significant damages later, get them replaced before you hire a building surveyor. Choose something durable instead of something fancy.

•     Old Or Faulty Electrical Cords
The quality of your house’s electrical system and cords can impact its structural integrity. Over time, electrical cords become old and faulty and can suddenly break or fail, making the electrical system useless. Broken cords can also be quite dangerous for your pets and kids. Sometimes, building surveyors in London will advise homeowners to hire an electrician for better peace of mind.

Choose Experienced Building Surveyors

If you want to identify the issues in your house, make sure you choose the right building surveyor. Look for a company with years of industry presence to ensure they will do a good job. The building surveyors at All Building will perform plan checking, site inspections and issue you Building Regulations Approval and Completion Certificates. They can also assist clients with Party Wall Act 1996 matters.