The Undeniable Importance of a Dilapidation Survey Prior To Property Development

Posted on: 2 January 2019

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When gearing up to embark on a new property development project, you may think that once you have acquired the site, then you can go ahead with your plans. However, one aspect of property development that is always overlooked is the necessity of a dilapidation survey -- more so if you are thinking of developing the structure without razing it to the ground. Failure to engage in a dilapidation survey can leave you liable to a host of damages that you were unaware of, which can prove incredibly expensive down the road and even make you lose your development. Why should you hire a building surveyor for this service? Here are a couple of reasons why a dilapidation survey is vital prior to your property development project:

A dilapidation survey acts as a precautionary measure

One of the main things that a dilapidation survey does is provide you with an outline of the current state of the property. This outline includes all structural damages that the building has acquired over the years, as well as a survey of parts of the structure that are typically prone to damage. Some of the things your building surveyor will keep a sharp eye out for include damages to the ceilings, floors, walls, roofing, plumbing pipes and a host of other fixtures in the house. When the building surveyor furnishes you with their dilapidation report, it will include written documents as well as photographs. Some surveyors may even take video footage for you.

A dilapidation survey aids you in comprehending the state of the structure

Irrespective of what type of development you want to embark on, be it to add a new construction or remodel the entire property, it crucial to fully understand what you are getting into. Thus, it is vital to hire a building surveyor to conduct a dilapidation survey that will enlighten you on the state of the structure, so that you can respond appropriately when engaging in your development. Some of the conditions that will be outlined in the survey will include potential damage to adjacent structures, soil settlement, loose debris and so on. Take note that this dilapidation survey can also be helpful during site restoration once the project is complete. For example, if you had to disrupt the landscape during the development, the survey will show you where everything needs to go so that the landscape is restored to its original condition.