FAQs About Surveying in Birmingham
Compare My Move work hard to answer all the important questions to help with your move to Birmingham. Our data shows that the most popular survey type is a Homebuyers Survey, with most users needing one for a semi-detached property.
There is a significant risk of subsidence in the city and presence of the damaging Japanese Knotweed plant. A property survey will highlight any hidden defects affecting the property you plan to buy in Birmingham.
What are the Most Popular Surveys in Birmingham?
Compare My Move’s data found that in Birmingham, Homebuyer Surveys as a whole proved more popular than Building Surveys, despite many of the residential properties in Birmingham being over 100 years old. If the property you are looking to buy is older, built of unconventional materials or in a less than perfect state, a Building Survey is highly recommended.
Just 6.7% of users opted for a Building Survey on their detached property. Figures were higher for semi-detached and terraced however, at 18.4% and 11% respectively. Meanwhile, 7.2% of users had a Homebuyers survey on a detached property, with 29.4% opting for this survey on a semi-detached house and 24.6% on terraced homes. Users who purchased flats in Birmingham undertook the least amount of surveys, with 4.3% organising a Homebuyers Survey and just 0.97% using a Building Survey.
What Types of Historical Architecture Does Birmingham Have?
Compared to other large cities in the UK, Birmingham is a young city which has seen rapid growth in a relatively short space of time. According to a report by Birmingham Council, the greatest land use in the city is housing, accounting for approximately 52% of the city area.
Birmingham has a total of 1,489 listed buildings and 30 conservation areas. In terms of architecture, the city boasts a number of medieval structures, Georgian and Regency architecture and a plethora of Victorian and Edwardian homes which have proved popular with home movers, with Birmingham seeing 730 ‘existing property’ sales based on data for January 2020.
The city is also home to a number of contemporary residential buildings, however these have proved less popular among home buyers, with just 42 new build sales in the same time frame.
The population increase in the Victorian era saw terrace housing built on the outskirts of the inner city in areas such as Harbourne, Quinton, Small Heath and Handsworth. These terraced homes are still prominent in these areas today and remain popular homes for Birmingham residents. Between 1919 and 1939, a further 50,000 homes were built on the outer suburban areas of Birmingham.
Due to the age of these properties, a Full Building Survey would be beneficial for potential buyers to understand the overall condition of the home, in addition to any work which may be required, be it updating the property or repairs.
| Listed Buildings | 1,489 |
| Conservation Areas | 30 |
| New Build Sales* | 42 |
| Existing Property Sales* | 730 |
*Based on data for January 2020
Is Subsidence an Issue in Birmingham?
The geology of Birmingham plays a huge part in the issues of subsidence in the area. A combination of sandstone, which allows rainwater to percolate the ground, and red-brown mudstone, make Birmingham an area with an increased likelihood of subsidence issues.
Subsidence, where the ground beneath a property “sinks”, can be caused naturally, for example, by geology or by the weather. But it can also be a man-made issue as a result of industry. The industrial history of the city also puts a strain on the land, with a large amount of building in one concentrated area.
A map of the UK Hotspots for Subsidence has revealed that there is a significant risk of subsidence issues in the city of Birmingham.
Your surveyor will be able to tell you if subsidence is an issue on the land of the property you are looking to buy, and how severe it is if found. Keeping in mind the land makeup of the city of Birmingham and it’s industrial history, arranging a survey on your future Birmingham home is essential.
Subsidence can not only decrease the value of a home, but it can also make the property dangerous and not fit for dwelling. If you are concerned about a property you are looking to purchase in Birmingham, Compare My Move can help you find an experienced building surveyor to conduct a full report on the structure and stability of your home.
Is Japanese Knotweed a Concern in Birmingham?
Japanese Knotweed is known for growing around waterways, and with Birmingham’s 35 miles of canals and 12 rivers flowing through the area, the city is a hotspot for the destructive plant. Hiring a reliable and trusted surveyor will ensure you are aware of any nearby infestations or if Japanese Knotweed is present on the property you wish to buy.
The plant was originally introduced to the UK as an ornamental plant, but as it’s destructive nature has become clear, it is now considered an aggressive pest. It is spread through watercourses and through the movement of soil for construction and road-building.
For Birmingham, this means it can quickly become a wide-spread problem. A heatmap of Japanese Knotweed by Environet revealed 51 infestations within 4km of Birmingham City Centre, with further infestations found in nearby Wolverhampton. Homeowners are recommended to stay vigilant when it comes to knotweed around their home in Birmingham.
Having Japanese Knotweed on your property can reduce the value of your home, with many lenders unwilling to approve a mortgage for homes which are plagued by the plant. This is why hiring a surveyor is so important. Not only will they review the house itself, but they will also be able to report on any infestations of the knotweed on your land or surrounding grounds.
