HOW SEPTIC TANKS WORK Septic tanks are designed to allow liquids to flow through the tank and enter a percolation area without causing damage to the environment. Waste waters enter the tank and the flow is reduced through a series of baffles allowing the solids to sink to the bottom. Additionally, smaller particles float to […]
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FAQ, about building surveys
Q: What is a “House Survey”? A: house survey is an objective visual examination of the physical structure and systems of a home, from the roof to the foundation. Our building surveyor’s report will include an evaluation of the condition of the home’s roof, attic, roof coverings, insulation, exterior, grounds, heating system, plumbing and electrical […]
Read moreWhat are the most common type defects found in sliding doors?
Answer Poorly fitted and maintained patio doors are a common defect found during our house surveys. Â All patio doors have similar working parts leading to similar defects. A patio door has two sides, a fixed stationary side and the opening sliding section. Both the door handle and locking system are normally located on the sliding […]
Read moreWhat is a party/boundary wall mediation agreement?
Answer A mediation agreement is entered into following an acceptable resolution between adjoining home owners. The mediator will draft a written agreement detailing the terms and conditions of the settlement they have reached and to which they have agreed. When both home owners agree to its terms, the parties, and the building surveyor / mediator, […]
Read moreHow to avoid party wall disputes?
Answer It is worth checking before buying a new property or starting an extension whether the boundary are located in the proper location according to the folio map or title deeds of your property. Â If you buy a property or start extension works without following the correct procedures you have the possibility of ending up […]
Read moreMisunderstandings about party walls and boundary walls in Ireland
We get numerous calls to our office from both home owners and adjoining owners asking about their rights and responsibilities pertaining to their party walls and boundary walls. Quite often our callers have researched their questions and concerns over the internet or from friends and normally end up being more confused at the end of […]
Read moreWhat is a party wall?
Answer If you live in a semi-detached or terraced building, you share a wall or walls with your neighbour. Such walls are known as party walls. Party walls separate buildings belonging to different owners. Where a wall separates two different sized buildings, only the part that is used by both properties is considered to be […]
Read moreWhat are the basics in improving window security?
Answer During the course of a building survey, a common concern for new home owners is security. These issues are normally straight forward to remedy resulting in improved security in the windows. The security of any property largely depends on the quality of security and hardware used, within the windows themselves. Most windows provide a limited amount […]
Read moreWhat are the common window defects found during building surveys?
Answer Most building surveys find common window defects and door defects which may require replacement or minor repairs to ease operation and provide best performance from the windows or doors. The building survey will usually find that the house windows are made from uPVC, timber, steel or aluminium. Windows frames come in a variety of […]
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Where is your boundary line?
Answer The Land and Conveyancing Law Reform Act 2009 is designed to help neighbours resolve any disputes about works on or near the boundary line between two properties if they themselves cannot come to an agreement. Boundaries are denoted Ordnance Survey plans and also on the title plans on the title deeds. Each registered property […]
Read moreWhy use a party wall expert for your building survey?
Answer Do you need advice on resolving party wall issues or boundary disputes? If you are considering a major investment in an attic conversion, building a side or rear extension, building a shed or garage, or even structurally modifying a shared ceiling or floor, chances are high that you will run into a party wall […]
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When is a wall considered a party wall?
Answer Construction work, including renovations or extensions, may likely have some impact on a Party Wall structure. A wall is considered a party wall structure if it meets either of the following two conditions: The wall in question stands astride a boundary of land belonging to two or more different owners; this means that approximately […]
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What are some common areas of concern during structural surveys?
Answer The structure is by far the most important part of a building survey. In many instances, structural problems can be very expensive to repair. The structural part of the building survey involves examining all the visible parts of the exterior, the roof, interior walls, ceilings, floors, attic spaces, doors and window frames. Particular attention […]
Read moreCan you renegotiate on the agreed property price after defects are found?
Your detailed Pre Purchase Structural Survey Report can literally save you thousands of euro’s by renegotiating with the vendor or in some cases pulling out of the purchase when previously unknown serious defects come to light during your property survey. It doesn’t make sense to spend €250+ thousand euro’s on a house, only to move […]
Read morePlanning permission/what-are-class-1-exempted-developments?
Answer Planning Permission and Exempted development schedule is set out in, S.I. 600 of 2001 http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/2001/en/si/0600.html CLASS 1 The extension of a house, by the construction or erection of an extension (including a conservatory) to the rear of the house or by the conversion for use as part of the house of any garage, store, […]
Read moreBasic information on Planning Permission.
Planning permission is not always required if you want to extend or renovate an existing house. Under the Building Control Act of 2000 you can extend your property without planning permission once the extension (including previous extensions) is less than 40 sq metres. To be exempt the extension must be at the back of the […]
Read moreFAQ’s about a House Survey
Q: What is a “House Survey”? A: A house survey is an objective visual examination of the physical structure and systems of a home, from the roof to the foundation. Our building surveyor’s report will include an evaluation of the condition of the property’s roof, attic, roof coverings, exterior, grounds; interior walls, ceilings, floors, windows and doors. […]
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