Building Surveying in Construction Unit 15

P9: Dilapidation Survey

BRIEF DESCRIPON OF THE SRTUCTURE INSPECTED

The property which was inspected was two storey, free standing home of brick with a timber frame
construction. This structure is on a strip footing, with a pitched roof covered in slates.

Issues which require immediate attention or rectification

Location Zone Detail

Exterior Rear roof The gutter and rainwater down pipe is not connected properly
 Building Surveying in Construction Unit 15

3.1 INTERIOR

3.1.1 Entry/Living room – there’s cracking to the internal corner of the cornice and the wall. There’s
cracking to the wall and the window architrave.

3.1.2 Kitchen – There’s cracking to the joint of architrave and doorway. Cracking to junction of
cornice and ceiling along the southern wall in different places. The wallpaper is coming off in various
positions.

3.1.3 Bathroom – The wall tiles are missing and cracked to all the walls. There’s cracking to the
corner of cornice and shower screen. The shower is likely to leak if alterations are implemented.

3.1.4 Bedroom – there’s cracking above the doorway leading to the bedroom. There is cracking to
junction of cornice and southern wall at different positions. Water stains to the eastern wall below
the window.

3.1.5 WC – there is cracking to the wall and paint.

http://dilapidationsurvey.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2008/01/sample-Dilapidation-report-.pdf

P10: Condition Survey

EXTERIOR

ROOF COVERINGS

The roof was assessed from an external ground level visually, due to access restrictions. The roof of
the property is a traditional pitched roof with a gable end. The gabled end is plastered and painted.
The building has a flat roof at the front of the first storey, and the covering could not be inspected
because of restrictions but it’s likely to be either asphalt or bituminised felt.

The roof slates have weathered, with some slipped and broken and haven’t been replaced. Moss and
algae have been growing in certain areas. The roof slates have a lifespan and need maintained
continuously. The exposed part of the roof is dangerous because with water gets inside the building,
it could cause rooting which will make the repairs more extensive and expensive.

CHIMNEYS AND FLUES

There are four chimney stacks on the main roof of the property. A limited inspected was the only
thing possible because of the restriction and height of the building. The chimney stacks are
constructed from facing brickworks, but the brickwork has been weathered and there are open
mortar joints.

RAINWATER GOODS

Rainwater from the roof slopes is gathered by the plastic gutters, and discharging into UPVC down
pipes which are located on the front and rear elevations. The soils stacks are in cast iron. When the
inspection was undertaken the weather was dry, so it was not possible recognise specific defects to
the rainwater goods.
 Building Surveying in Construction Unit 15

There is visible damage to the gutters and down pipes because the gutters are not connected
properly to the down pipes, which can cause more damage to the property by directly the rainwater
towards the walls which will cause more extensive damages.

EXTERNAL WALLS

The external walls of the property are constructed from solid brick masonry. Where inspection was
possible, there are damages to the brickwork from impact, frost and where opening shave been
changed. There is also staining to side of the elevation were a constant overflow of water has caused
a section of brickwork to saturate.

WINDOWS, DOORS AND EXTERNAL JOINERY

The windows of the property consist if single glazed crittel metal and single glazed timber framed
casement. The timber framed single glazed windows need extensive repair where rot has developed
were paintwork has failed. The windows need to be replaced to double glazing to improve the
properties energy efficiency, but it need to comply with building regulation.

The main entrance door is timber with glass, but it’s in bad condition and will require painting and
repair.

EXTERNAL DECORATIONS

External redecorations are overdue, with paintwork cracking and also the paintwork has been
stained.

INTERIOR

The interior of the building could not be inspected because of site restrictions, so I cannot provide
valid information regarding the internal aspects of the property.

BUILDING SERVICES

COLD AND HOT WATER INSTALLTION

The water mains run below ground, so I cannot confirm the material or make a comment on the
condition.

The hot water system within this property was not inspected, but I can confirm that the system is
not operational because when a thermal camera was used there were no red marks on screen. Also
the property has been vacant for a long period of time.

SPACE HEATING

The central heating system within this property is not operational and will require extensive work
because of period of vacancy and age.
 Building Surveying in Construction Unit 15

ELECTRICAL INSTALLATION

This property is not connected to the electrical mains and the consumer unit and electrical fittings
should be dated and require replacement by a competent person, due to the age of property and
period of vacancy. Also the building will require rewiring because when regulations have changed
since this property was constructed.

DRAINAGE

This property should be connected to the main sewer. An inspection was undertaken on the
drainage system, but there were no significate defects to be noted.

EXTERNAL AREA AND SURROUNDINGS

SITE AREAS

The front and rear of the property is covered in concrete. There is no garden located on the
properties site and there is no parking area on the site.

OUTBUILDINGS AND GARAGES

There are no garage facilities. At the rear of the property there is a shed which has been left without
being fully constructed, there isn’t a roof or wall on the shed. Removing the shed is recommended
because it’s not feasible to bring the shed to a habitable standard.

http://www.sbvaluationservices.co.uk/AdviserServices/Documents/Building%20Survey%20Report%2
0Sample.pdf

P12:

The thermal cameras have been used to take pictures of the proposed property, and the images
would normally come out in different colours like blue, red and yellow. This equipment would be
using during a dilapidation survey to analysis the property, to figure out if the proposed property has
any insulation issues, draughts, cold air infiltration or heating problems. This process is vital because
it gives the proposed buyer an opportunity to ensure the price it suitable, and also to ensure the
building is complying with regulations in-terms of energy efficiency to reduce any payments which
will be required to bring the property back to certain standard.
 Building Surveying in Construction Unit 15

M3:

Measured survey

Laser measure

The electronic measurement device uses a laser to measure the distance between two walls or
surfaces. The speed of light is the same which means the distance can be calculated. The device
works by pointing it a surface, like a wall; the laser will bounce from device to the wall. The figure
will them be recorded on the measured survey report. The data on some new devices will be logged
automatically on the computer. An electronic distance measurement is good for internal
measurements but, a tape measure will be more effective externally.

Tape measure

A tape measure is available in different sizes from 30m to 100m, it is useful when a measured survey
is being carried out and long external dimensions are required which makes the 5 meter tape not
useful.

Camera

The development in cameras over the past ten years is incredible. Photography’s can be taken
instantly of the properties defects and can be recorded and used as a historical record. A digital
camera is convenient when conducting a measured survey because it allows the surveyor to capture
an aspect instantly and also gives them an opportunity to have a second look to notice anything they
could have missed. For example the surveyor can count the amount of brick courses from a picture.
A digital photography can be stored easily and emailed in seconds to anyone, which allows for
reports to be compiled quicker.

Condition survey

Infrared camera

A thermal imaging camera can be used to identify heat and it produces a thermal image which is
used for specialised survey. The red areas of a thermal image show the warmest place, whereas the
blue areas show the coldest. The image identifies any cold bridging across cavities or above lintels,
and it shows locations within the property that loss excessive amount of heat. A thermal image can
be used determine whether a cavity wall has suitable insulation to comply with regulation.

Boroscope

A boroscope is convenient when gaining access into a structure with minimum damage and
disruption to the fabric of the building. It’s very useful for inspecting a cavity. A boroscope is a
telescope which has a mirror at the end that diverts the line of sight by 900. A light inside the
boroscope will allow for a good visual assessment of inaccessible areas of a structure, by adding a
camera it enables the inspection to be recorded.
 Building Surveying in Construction Unit 15

To use this equipment a hole must be drilled through the exterior of the property that is going to be
inspected. The hole which has been drilled needs to be big enough for the camera to go through
effortlessly. The larger the inspection area, the more holes will be required and when the inspection
is finished the holes will need to be filled in.

Moisture meter

A moisture meter is used to inspect the moisture content of timber and walls above and below the
DPC to ensure the damp course is working properly. This device is basic, and has two metal probes
which measure the electrical resistance on the probe pins. The less resistance there is, the higher the
figure. Numerous readings should be recorded to increase the accuracy of the average.

D2:

Condition survey

Replacing the current windows to double glazing will increase the properties energy rating and also
comply with regulations. Replacing the existing windows is important because it allows the occupant
to safe money in the long-term, due to the fact that less heat is escaping the property.

Also reinstating the pervious windows which are covered up by bricks, will allow for the external
aspects of the property to be more aesthetically pleasing. Also reinstating the pervious windows will
allow more natural light into property which makes it more sustainable, and saves the occupant
money in the long-term.

The external walls will need to be replaced with a cavity wall, because the existing wall is
constructed only using brickwork which is an issue when it comes to energy efficiency and also
regulations. The property walls will require a complete reconstruction to develop it to a cavity wall
which has insulation, DPC implemented. Changing the external walls will be beneficial to the
occupant because there will save money on energy because, less heat is escaping the building.

Dilapidation survey

The roof will require extensive amount of work to bring it back to a modern state, due to the low
maintenance and missing roof tiles it is only feasibly to replace the entire roof. This is beneficial
because the occupant would be guaranteed a minimum of 30 years before the roof would need to
be replaced. Also replacing the excising roof will make the proposed property more energy efficiency
due to less heat escaping.

The internal walls and paint has cracked which could require the brickwork to be filled with fillers
and then plastered and repainted. This is beneficial because it will cover up the cracks and it will
reduce the chance of the cracks becoming a serious issue and may become a more expensive
problem to resolve.
 Building Surveying in Construction Unit 15

Bibliography:

BRC PROPERTY CONSULTANTS PTY LTD [ONLINE]

[ACCESSED: 03/16/16]

http://www.brcproperty.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/Sample-Dilapidation-Report-
2014.pdf

SB VALUATIONS SERVICES [ONLINE]

[ACCESSED: 03/16/16]

http://www.sbvaluationservices.co.uk/AdviserServices/Documents/Building%20Survey%20Report%2
0Sample.pdf

DILAPIDATION SURVEY SPECIALIST S PTY LTD

[ACCESSED: 21/03/16]

http://dilapidationsurvey.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2008/01/sample-Dilapidation-report-.pdf