Welcome to Cockrams Surveying Blog

Legal issues of buying a house at auction. In today’s financial climate, buying a house at auction is not necessarily a cheaper alternative to estate agents. Mortgage providers are still cautious about lending on properties which might be considered higher risk, e.g. in need of modernisation. A lender may value it at a much lower … Read More »

New Homes Bonus Scheme to aid housing shortage New proposals by the Coalition Government will give local councils in England extra money for all new homes built. Under the New Homes Bonus Scheme, announced by Housing Minister Grant Shapps, a grant equivalent to the council tax for each new home will be paid to the … Read More »

View our different Survey Reports via our new slider on our website! Are you undecided about which survey to go for? If you would like to see examples of all of our reports, you can now see them on our website! We are constantly updating our website and have just put up some new sliders … Read More »

Beware Flue Pipe Regulations This article was sent to us via The Independent Surveyors Association (ISA) and recalls an account from an Independent Surveyor. “It’s late on a January Friday afternoon, the volume of instructions is well down due to a combination of the prolonged cold snap and the wretched state of the national economy. … Read More »

Pitch fibre Pipe Work A ticking time bomb! If you are ever in the company of a drainage contractor when he lifts a manhole cover and sees the jet black matt coating of a pitch fibre channel pipe staring up at him, you will see the corner of his mouth lift gently into a wry … Read More »

The Green Deal The Green Deal will enable householders to invest in energy efficiency improvements to their homes, at no upfront cost, that will pay for themselves through savings on their energy bills.   The money to pay for the improvements will be borrowed from a Green Deal provider who will arrange for the measures … Read More »

Our latest testimonial for carrying out a survey       “Cockrams where excellent. The receptionist was lovely and the surveyor seemed very professional. The report was clear and easily understandable. Highly recommended.” M Elkington

There comes a point in the tortuous process of buying and selling a house when you are prepared to do, or pay, almost anything in order not to break the chain. It occurs somewhere late in the wretched end game, when both properties are under offer and the agreed exchange date is rapidly approaching. It’s … Read More »

Rendering or plastering domestic walls, renewing roof fabric (even like-for-like): re-cladding dormers or replacing floors and ceilings are key works which may require Building Regulation approval under the revised legislation. Part L2B (Conservation of fuel and power), legislation intended to combat climate change and reduce energy waste, took effect on 6 April 2006, four years ago. We are now encountering … Read More »

Colin Cockram recently surveyed a substantial Victorian house I am buying. I strongly recommend him to other purchasers of houses in the area. Colin was most helpful and informative before, during and after the survey. His survey was thorough – even going to the extent of unblocking some drains so that he could provide entry … Read More »