Structural Surveys & Reports, Engineers Reports & Building Surveys

Another hindrance has been added to the already painful process of selling a house. Vendors should be aware that insurance companies, hit by rising numbers of claims, have developed a habit of refusing to insure houses they consider a poor risk, just as contracts of sale are about to be exchanged.

Since the buildings insurance on a house is often the last piece of the bureaucratic jigsaw to slot into place before exchange of contracts – often on the very day of exchange – it can prove to be an unsuspected land mine.

The problem is now so common that estate agents have begun to blame insurance companies for collapsing sales, accusing them of holding back the recovery of the property market. They say that whole streets, even postal districts, where houses are close to water or where subsidence claims have been made, have been zoned as ‘no go’ areas by insurers who don’t want to go on meeting the cost of claims.

Getting a Structural Engineers Report for your home can often be the answer.  Most insurance companies are happier to reconsider offering cover when an up to date structural engineers report confirms no ongoing movement.

In areas that are at risk of flooding, there are measures you can take to help matters such as installation of flood defence barriers.   For more information on flood defences visit www.floodwall.uk.com