Have you ever noticed that figuring out what’s wrong with your house is usually just a lot of guesswork from people not really in the know?

A case in point for this is damp interior and exterior surfaces of your household. Too often we just paint over an affected wall and just hope for the best without really delving deep into the problem, something which can have long-standing effects on the integrity. There is a solution at hand and one which every homeowner should look into.

Whether it’s one of the property surveyors in North Wales or Norway, they all know how to give you a realistic overview of your home. Property is a sector which is full of financial black holes and to prevent yourself from falling into one, look into hiring a surveyor to weigh up the potential pitfalls.

Surveying itself has been around for thousands of years – it’s even said that the Egyptians invented it all those thousands of years ago! The techniques and methods have obviously moved on a little since then but the basic principle has remained the same and that’s to ensure that a building is in usable condition.

Finding the right surveyor can be quite the task but be sure you narrow it down by only looking at those that are RICS approved. The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors don’t accept just anyone so you can be assured that the person you hire for the job has all the right qualifications and know the ins and outs of the field.

It’s not just current houses that surveyors help with; they’re also highly-skilled at preparing land for an initial build. There are many factors which can interfere with a construction project that you may not have adequately prepared for. Any inconsistencies in the land can cause big problems in the future but that’s what surveyors are here for. They are able to analyse your environment and determine if it’s completely suitable for building on and if not, can give you detailed advice on what steps you need to take next.

The skills of surveyors also extend to valuing the building for both business and commercial bodies. If you’re thinking of moving into a new home but are put off by the seemingly soaring price or even if it costs a suspicious amount, you can hire a surveyor who will evaluate its actual value. They can advise you on whether or not the price is feasible for the property itself and whether it may return profit in the future or instead become a financial liability. There’s also so much paperwork to wade through when it comes to the property market; surveyors are on hand to talk you through the small print.

A breakdown of the assessments your surveyor will make of your property:
· General condition and quality
· Any major faults or urgent problems that need to be addressed before you sign on the dotted line
· Testing for damp in property walls
· Potential timber damage
· Estimate to repair the property in the case of fire
· How much it will cost for general maintenance
· What the building is made out of and how viable it is for the future
· Property value

It’s also worth bearing in mind that there are different types of surveyors, all experts in different fields:

Building Surveyor – specialises in design advice for new properties, works closely with construction companies and commercial buyers

Construction Surveyors – work within large-scale projects (e.g government buildings, housing estates)

Environmental Surveyors – these experts will be able to determine whether or not the property will be able to withstand environmental pressures over time

Rural Surveyors – evaluate the growth available in a rural area e.g. a farm or small village.