Compare Chartered Building Surveyors in Norwich

Norwich has an interesting history, with its medieval period still greatly represented by the 11th-century Norwich Cathedral and 12th-century castle. There are also 31 churches in the city that have been standing since the Middle Ages, as well as a variety of stunning 18th-century architecture.

However, in the 19th and 20th-century, there was an increase in demand for housing in Norwich, resulting in many Victorian and Edwardian houses and a range of commercial buildings in the city centre. The opening of the University of East Anglia in 1964 in particular increased interest with student accommodation being built to accommodate the thousands of new visitors. These older properties are extremely popular amongst movers in the area, with 171 existing properties sold in February 2021 and only 1 new-build home sold.

Whilst researching historical architecture in Norwich, we also discovered that the city has around 1,500 listed buildings. This is important to know as, if you decide to purchase a listed building, you will be required to obtain special permission to complete any work on the home. Listed buildings must be preserved and so there will be limits on what can be done to improve the property. You will also be required to organise a specialist Listed Building Survey and not a typical property survey.

We also discovered that there are 17 conservation areas in Norwich, all of which are listed on the local council’s Conservation Area Maps. Much like listed buildings, if you’re purchasing a property situated in a conservation area, you will require permission to complete certain work as the area must be preserved. There will be restrictions on what work can be completed on the building and surrounding land, possibly affecting your future plans.

Japanese Knotweed is a very invasive and destructive plant that grows rapidly along railways, waterways, parks and gardens. It is notoriously difficult to treat and contain as the root system is formidable and capable of forcing its way through drains and concrete. It’s vital you arrange a property survey to highlight any infestations as Japanese Knotweed can reduce the value of a home by up to 10%. Many mortgage lenders will not approve a loan for a property with this plant due to this very reason.

As you can see on the Japanese Knotweed Heatmap, Norwich has a moderate risk of Japanese Knotweed infestations. Within the city centre alone, there have been approximately 61 occurrences of the formidable plant. The surrounding areas are also prone to infestations, increasing the importance of a property survey when buying property in this area.

If your surveyor does uncover evidence of Japanese Knotweed in your home, it’s vital you do not attempt to remove it yourself as it could cause further damage to the property. You will need the help of a professional remover who can safely treat and destroy the plant. You will also then need to check the previously infested area every year for 5 years to make sure it hasn’t returned.