FAQs About Surveying in Southend-on-Sea
Compare My Move have researched everything you need to know for your surveying in Southend-on-Sea. Our data shows that the most popular survey type for our Southend-on-Sea movers is a homebuyers survey with most needing one for a semi-detached property.
We also discovered that the town is a hotspot for Japanese Knotweed and suffers from some subsidence issues. Rest assured, your property surveyor will highlight any risk or issues with the property and area when you have a property survey.
What are the Most Popular Surveys in Southend-on-Sea?
To further help with your move to Southend-on-Sea, we have found the most popular survey types for our movers and for what properties. It’s important you understand which survey type is best suited for the property you plan to buy.
Compare My Move’s data shows that the majority of our Southend-on-Sea movers required a homebuyers survey, with 30% needing one for a semi-detached home. A further 20% needed a homebuyers survey for a terraced property, whilst only 5% needed one for a detached property.
Only 30% of Compare My Move Southend-on-Sea movers needed a building survey for their move, with 25% of these needing one for their semi-detached property. 5% of movers needed a building survey for a terraced property and a further 5% needed one for a flat.
What Types of Historical Architecture Does Southend-on-Sea Have?
Before you buy property in Southend-on-Sea, it’s important to learn about the historical architecture as this will give you a good idea on the survey type you will need. Southend-on-Sea offers a variety of property types including huge Edwardian semi-detached homes and Victorian semi-detached and terraced properties.
If you’re buying an older Edwardian or Victorian property, you will need a building survey. Older properties built over 80 years ago will require an in-depth assessment before you purchase them as they’re likely to have some hidden defect and damage to the structure or condition.
Buying existing properties as opposed to new builds in Southend-on-Sea is in more demand, with 173 sales of existing properties in May 2020 with just 1 sale of a new build. There are also 150 listed buildings and 14 conservation areas in Southend-on-Sea. if in the unlikely event you’re buying a listed building, you will need a listed building survey.
| Listed Buildings | 150 |
| Conservation Areas | 14 |
| New Build Sales* | 1 |
| Existing Property Sales* | 173 |
*Based on data for January 2020
Is Subsidence an Issue in Southend-on-Sea?
Subsidence is the sinking of the soil of a property’s foundations and is a homeowners worst nightmare. It can devalue a property greatly, making it difficult to sell a house in the future. You’ll need to hire a property surveyor for your move to Southend-on-Sea as they will highlight if there is a sign of subsidence or other structural issues.
Geobear’s UK subsidence map shows that Southend-on-Sea has some subsidence issues. There are a variety of factors that can cause subsidence, including weather, clay soil, shallow foundations and the area being densely populated. A Map of the Distribution of Clay Over the UK shows that Essex has the highest level of hazard at Level E, with a high risk of soil shrinking and swelling.
Don’t underestimate the importance of a property survey for your Southend-on-Sea move. You should look for signs of subsidence in the form of cracks in the walls. If you spot this straight away you will need a building survey. If the house is fairly modern with no obvious signs of damage, then a homebuyers survey should be enough.
Is Japanese Knotweed a Concern in Southend-on-Sea?
Japanese Knotweed is an invasive plant that grows quickly and can even force its way through concrete and into a property’s foundations. It can devalue a property as well as posing a threat to sensitive skin. Before you buy or rent a property in Southend-on-Sea, it’s important to learn if there is a presence of the plant.
Environet’s UK Japanese Knotweed map shows that there is a high presence of Japanese Knotweed in Southend-on-Sea, with 24 occurrences of the plant within 4km of the town. Don’t attempt to remove the plant yourself, as you could make it worse. Get information from your local council and contact a professional to come and remove it.
If you think the property you plan to buy could suffer from Japanese Knotweed, hire a property surveyor who will let you know of any issues and defects with the property. Both a building survey and homebuyers survey will be able to reveal if there is a problem with the plant.
