A house survey plays a huge role whether you are buying or selling a house. From a buyer’s perspective, it only makes sense that you’d want the property you are purchasing to be in good condition — more so if you’re buying to let.

On the other hand, if you are a seller, a building survey is crucial as it can make or break the sale. As a bonus, an excellent survey report will put you in an excellent position to get the best offer for the property you are selling.

However, do you know what happens if you fail a house survey report? More importantly, do you want to know the possible reasons why you can potentially fail? If you answered yes to both of these questions, then read on.

Reasons why you may fail a house survey

Contrary to what many believe, there’s actually no such thing as a pass or fail in a house survey. You can, however, receive a ‘bad report’. Especially for someone who’ selling a property, a bad report can make a potential buyer walk away.

That said, here are 7 reasons why you may ‘fail’ a house survey. Knowing the most common problems found by surveyors should give you better chances of dealing with and preparing for them in advance.

Damp

Many homes suffer from damp problems in the UK. In fact, 61% of renters have had experiences with damp, mould, and leaking roofs. This is actually one of the most common complaints found in a house survey report.

A simple definition of damp is that it is the presence of moisture or water within a property, in areas where they are not supposed to. Any property can fall victim to damp problems without any warning and when left untreated, can lead to a whole lot of other issues such as:

• Wet rot – though less severe, wet rot can still be harmful as it can affect the structural integrity of a property. It’s a fungus that attacks timber which can lead to severe cases of decay.
• Dry rot – this is a way more serious form of fungal attack compared to wet rot. This type of rot can spread from timber to timber, drying and decaying the wood in the process. Dry-rot spores thrive when the moisture level is above 20%.
• Condensation – too much humidity can cause condensation. It is more common in winter since this is the time when you use your heating system more often. Moisture and water will build up when warm air collides with cold surfaces.

Damage to structural timber

As mentioned earlier, damp problems will lead to even bigger problems when left unchecked. A surveyor will check for any damage to structural timber during the survey. Wet rot and dry rot are major factors of wood decay so if damp is present, the surveyor will most likely look for any sign of structural damage to timber.  

Structural movement

Another reason why you may get a ‘bad report’ during a survey is due to structural movement. You see, any built structure is constantly moving — it’s inevitable. But in most cases, these movements are on a very tiny scale that they’re unnoticeable. These movements are due to a variety of factors such as:

• The ground movement beneath the foundation like subsidence
• Faulty drains
• Tree root growth
• Thermal movement
• The decay of the building fabric caused by woodworm, rot, etc.

Listed buildings, for instance, may have inherent defects that can potentially make it suffer from structural movement. In some cases, there are even older buildings that were built without foundations. So if you plan on buying and renovating an old building despite the survey making a note of this problem, be sure that you proceed with caution.

Roof

The roof is an essential part of a house, but unfortunately, it’s also one area that is not always easy to maintain. At the same time, it’s also prone to structural damage whether it’s because of the elements, the environment around you, or age. What you have to understand is that a damaged or defective roof can also lead to further problems like leaks, rotting, damp, etc.

If you are the seller, you might want to consider checking the roof before you even have a house survey carried out. If the damage you found is minimal, you can probably do the fixing yourself. If you can’t, getting help from a professional is your next best bet.

Roof problems can cause new owners thousands of pounds to fix. And if the survey notes this on the report, it’s possible that the sale won’t fall through. If it does, however, it would put the buyer in a better position to negotiate your asking price especially if you want them to take care of it.

Windows

Similar to the roof, windows are one of the things that a surveyor will not miss during the house survey. After all, windows play a significant role in your home’s energy efficiency. It provides insulation which allows for easier heating or cooling when necessary, all while reducing your energy consumption. And of course, the right windows can keep a home secure from intruders.

If mould has grown in areas around the window, it’s the perfect time to scrub it off. The surveyor will also check if the windows are opening and closing properly as they are supposed to, so keep that in mind. Rotten window frames are, of course, something that a surveyor take not of.

It’s also worth noting that new windows would not always mean better. That’s because in some cases, the older windows are being replaced with new but cheaper and less sturdy ones. It may also be that the new windows were installed either poorly or incorrectly.

Insect problems

Insects are essential creatures in the environment. However, no one wants to see them inhabiting a home, right? There are a lot of things that a surveyor will look for during a survey. Apparently, one of them is the presence of insects.

Why they’ll search a property for these pesky insects is because some species can harm not just the structure of the house but also the people living in it (like bedbugs, for instance). The good news is that this is an easy thing to fix as long as the type of insect infestation is already identified.

Electrical works

Certification is usually found through a sticker on the unit which is something that a surveyor will look for when checking on your electrical system. If this is not found or if your unit doesn’t have the correct certification, they will ask you to have an electrician check the condition of the system tested.

Although the system seems to be okay and is working alright, not having a certification can possibly mean that it was a DIY installation. For instance, a rewire can be an easy fix, but it’s not the safest of options which can cause a fire, electrocution, and a lot more.

Conclusion

Regardless if you are buying or selling a property, don’t be afraid of the survey report. If you’re the buyer, don’t be shy about reducing your offer for the property being sold. And if you’re the seller, fire away at the surveyor with any question that you have. If you feel like needed, seek professional help to further check on the areas mentioned in the report as well as estimate repair costs.

Hiring an interior designer is perhaps the first thing that comes to your mind when you think about making the most of your bedroom, or when you’ve messed up with your DIY and want someone to come and fix it.

Interior designers are trained to help you make the most of your space. Their trained eye can see beyond your ideas and anticipation – it’s how they manage to extract everything that you envision about your space and bring it to life in a way that meets or even surpasses your expectation.

However, even though they are professionals, there are things that they wish you knew, for good reasons. In this article, we highlight some of the secrets that they won’t tell you, and also give you tips on what you can do to get the most of the process. Click here for more on bedroom décor.

Pick the right paint

Yes, an interior designer has to bring out the best of your bedroom space; however, it is up to you to present the colors that work for you. The market offers hundreds, if not thousands of paint colors with varying shades, tones, and tints for you to pick from. Besides, bedrooms may appear different from house to house because of the diverse light sources, meaning what looks great on one home, might not be as great on the other. Present you color suggestions upfront so that you can work it out with your designer instead of having them guess what you want.

Be decisive

Another secret that’s well guarded by the interior designers is that indecisiveness will only hurt your project and your pocket. If you have selected a theme or design, and realize that it isn’t working, it’s better to tell your designer as soon as possible, rather than to wait for the project to be completed, before you start complaining. Changing your mind is okay, but you should bear in mind that each time you do that, you are stretching the duration of the project, as well as your designer’s effort. The grand idea is to know what you want beforehand.

Set your budget

Unless you have no limits on the amount of money you want to spend designing your bedroom, it’s recommended that you have a defined budget before you even schedule an appointment with an interior designer. Your budget will serve as a guide for your project. Your designer will also use it to find the best possible alternative so that you get what you wanted within your budgetary needs.

Flexibility is key

Yes, you might have seen an incredible bedroom design on your favorite magazine and would love to copy everything to the T., and yes, your designer might be able to pull that up. However, that shouldn’t mean that have to stick to everything as it appears in the magazine. As earlier stated, what works for one bedroom might not work on the other.

A small space sounds like a challenge. Big cities offer residences that come with measured spaces.

We are left to make use of that minimal space, prioritize certain furniture over the others and come to terms with compromising our choices.

Some of us like the idea of an enclosed room that is cozy and comfortable, while others can feel claustrophobic.

If you have scored your first apartment, then congrats! Mainstream advice for small bedroom always tend to tell us to choose small furnishings.

However here, we’ll tell you how to stand out from the crowd and invent a new concept of what a small room could look like.

Are you in for this? Great! Then let’s discuss in details what you should and shouldn’t consider while furnishing a small bedroom.

Ten Things to Consider While Designing a Small Bedroom

1. Simplicity Is the Key

This refers to how and where you place the pieces of furniture. We tend to highlight the bed, placing it against the main wall.

Do that, or place the bed in the middle so that you can walk on the other side of the bed as well.

In this way, you’ll free up some space, and it’ll be easier for you to make the bed. Albeit the limelight, make sure your bed is comfortable to sleep in.

If it’s not then it’s high time that you invest in a platform bed that’ll make your life easier and back-pain free.

2. Go Dark to the Full Swing

Dark paint does make a room look small, but that shouldn’t keep you from painting your walls with a classic grey or cool toned olive.

There’s a way to contradict the darkness, but we’ll come to that later.

Dark painted walls always makes a room look chic no matter how small or big the room is. Additionally, you could also try wallpapers with patterns on them.

3. Spread the Light Everywhere

This is essential in every small room. A well-lit room always lifts up one’s mood.

Include as many sources of light into the room as you can. However, be careful not to go overboard.

It could be decorative lightings or the lampshades beside your bed. A moderately sized chandelier works well too!

4. The Little Things Make the Biggest Differences

For small rooms with neutral and white walls, adding a pop of color would be a mood-lifter.

Collect art pieces, paintings, and photographs and hang them on the main wall, beside or just above the bed.

Include vibrant colored rugs or pieces of furniture in your room that draws subtle attention.

5. Miniature Furniture Is a Thing Of The Past

Ditch the idea of getting small sized furniture for small rooms. Although, this advice is widely spread, that does not mean it always works. Most interior designers suggest trying normal-sized products to keep small spaces balanced.

Or you could use larger furniture that serves you best to accommodate in an enclosed room.  

6. An Illusion of Space can be Created

An illusion of space can be created with good mirrors that reflect light. Try hanging the curtains close to the ceiling. The point is to draw attention higher up and make the room appear larger. Also, try curtains with neutral colors that don’t scream for attention.

7. A Tidy Room Makes for a Tidy Mind

The organization is one of the key ingredients for a good life. Even if you follow a minimal lifestyle, there’s no harm in knowing where your belongings are.

Plan a free day at home and start decluttering. This will minimize your wastage plus makes your tiny space more spacious.

8. Forget the Scales of the Room

Make use of the furniture you have. A big bed? No problem. Let your small room only occupy a good sized bed with an adjusting table.

You don’t have to follow any rules, try something out of the box that’s awe-inspiring or simply cool to you. A small room should not stop you from going big.

9.  A Breath of Fresh Air

Try and make a little corner to add some plants and pots. This will give your tiny space its much-needed greenery and provide a breath of fresh air.

10. Make Use of Every Corner

Use smart furniture, the ones that can be used as one thing during the day and another thing during the night.

Turn your desk into a bedside stand or make the space below your bed a storage point.

Hang clothes or towels behind your door. Stick shelves onto the wall to maximize storage or simply to display your showpieces.

Get creative with your little room, make use of every square foot of area you have. Just don’t gag the place.

Final Words

No matter how small or big your room is, you can always decorate it the way you like. However, for a smaller space, your thought process has to be more efficient and pragmatic.

Decorate your small room with familiar belongings, keep it cozy and make it your ultimate happy place!
Author Bio:

Stephany is a content writer at FeedFond. An artist and an interior designing enthusiast, she’s a naturalist to the T. Read more of her articles at FeedFond.com.