FAQ About Surveying in Sutton
In Sutton, the Homebuyers survey was the most arranged survey among our users. We found that over 26% opted for this type of survey for a semi-detached property. Our research found that there was a number of cases of Japanese Knotweed and that subsidence was also a concern for the area.
Enlisting the services of a professional surveyor for the property you wish to purchase is an essential step when buying a home, giving you an understanding of the condition of the home prior to completion.
What are the Most Popular Surveys in Sutton?
According to Compare My Move data, our users opted for a Homebuyer Survey far more often than a Building Survey. Over 26% of our users arranged a Homebuyer Survey for a semi-detached property, compared with just 15.36% of users opting for a Building Survey for the same type of home.
This was the case for terraced homes and flats, with 20.36% of users arranging a Homebuyers survey for a terraced property compared to 8.93% who went with a building survey. Flats saw 15.71% of our users arranging a Homebuyers survey, with just 2.50% opting for a Building Survey. The only exception was detached homes, with 5.36% of users opting for a Homebuyer Survey and the same percentage choosing a Building Survey.
Although for the most part, the Homebuyer survey proved to be the more popular choice among homebuyers in Sutton, perhaps in part due to the fact that it is also the cheaper option, it may not be the most suitable option for you and your property purchase.
Terraced homes which were built during the Victorian and Edwardian era, in addition to other period homes available in the area, would be better suited to a building survey. The building survey gives a far more detailed overview of a property and highlights any concerns or work which may be required.
What Types of Historical Architecture Does Sutton Have?
Initially a village, Sutton was connecting to central London by rail in 1847 and grew and expanding into a town, with further growth throughout the 20th century. Today the town of Sutton has one Grade I listed building, Beddington Place, and 14 Grade II* listed buildings, according to British Listed Buildings.
The town also has four conservation areas, three of which are residential areas (Grove Avenue, Landseer Road and the Sutton Garden Suburb) and the fourth being Sutton town centre.
Sutton Council reported 84,580 residential properties in Sutton as of 2020. This data revealed that a large amount of these properties (36.8%) were flats and maisonette, with 28.5% terraced houses and 23.1% semi-detached properties. Many of these homes will hail from the Victorian and Edwardian periods, in addition to post-war homes and more recent “new build” properties.
According to the UK house price index, January 2020 saw just one sale of “new build properties” in Sutton. This was a stark comparison to the 207 “existing property” sales in the area.
| Listed Buildings | 15 |
| Conservation Areas | 4 |
| New Build Sales* | 1 |
| Existing Property Sales* | 207 |
*Based on data for January 2020
Is Subsidence an Issue in Sutton?
Subsidence is dreaded by any homeowner as the results of it can spell disaster for a home. Subsidence occurs when the ground beneath a property compresses or “sinks”, leading to an unbalanced foundation for the home. This can cause a whole host of problems and in some cases, causing a home to be deemed uninhabitable and condemned.
Clay soil, which is found throughout the country, is one of the main causes of subsidence as this type of soil shrinks, cracks and even shifts during changes in the weather. Subsidence is especially prevalent in large cities, and London is certainly no exception. With Sutton located in South London, the risk of subsidence will be higher than in other parts of the country.
Geobear’s UK Subsidence Map shows where the risks in the area are, with the instances of subsidence increasing the closer to central London you go. It is certainly a consideration when purchasing a home in Sutton, which is why arranging a property survey is so vital. Your survey results can provide you with peace of mind and allow you to make an educated decision on the property purchase prior to completion.
Is Japanese Knotweed a Concern in Sutton?
Japanese Knotweed is a destructive plant and ensuring it is not evident within the grounds of a property is a key part of the surveying process. It was initially brought to the UK to be housed in botanical gardens such as Kew Gardens and later sold to the public. However it has since been discovered that Japanese Knotweed can not only impact the property physically, it can also drastically affect the value of the home.
This hardy plant grows through concrete, property foundations, walls and drains. Some lenders have been known to refused mortgages for properties with a large infestation of the plant.
Environet’s Japanese Knotweed Heatmap revealed that with Sutton’s location in South London, cases of the plant are considerably higher than other areas in the country. Although not as severe as the infestations located in central London, both the town of Sutton and the London Borough of Sutton show around 121 cases throughout the area.
With this in mind, a property survey would be strongly advised to ensure that the home you are purchasing does not have an infestation of the land or the neighbouring grounds. Compare surveyors with Compare My Move to be matched with a professional and trusted surveyor in Sutton.
