Newbank Surveyors
The Learning Centre

Reading, written for you.

Notes from the practice on surveys, older houses and the defects we meet most often. Written plainly, without jargon, and intended to be useful before you commit to a purchase.

Articles

Victorian red brick terraced house with white double bay windows and an arched front door
Guidance

Which Home Survey Do I Need?

A guide to choosing between a RICS Level 2 Home Survey and a Level 3 Home Survey, and why the right choice depends on the property, not just its age.

Brown water staining spreading across a ceiling and cornice in the corner of a room
Defects

Damp: what it actually means, and why it matters

A plain-English guide to penetrating damp, rising damp and condensation, and why the cause matters more than the symptom.

Drone hovering above a tiled roof and chimney inspecting the roofline against a blue sky
Guidance

Why we use a drone as part of the survey

Seeing the roof properly, without ladders, scaffolding or guesswork.

Felt-covered flat roof on a single-storey rear extension, viewed from above
Defects

Flat roofs and extensions: what we find most often

Where single-storey additions tend to fail, and what to check before you buy.

White painted Georgian townhouse facade with arched windows and ornate cast iron balcony railings
Period Homes

Buying a listed building: what your survey needs to cover

A listed building brings extra responsibilities. A thorough survey helps you understand its condition, protected features and the repairs that may need consent or specialist materials.

Rendered period terraced house with sash windows and a painted front door on a Worcestershire street
Period Homes

Buying a period home: what to look for in properties built before 1930

Period properties have character modern builds rarely match. Here's what to look for before buying a home built before 1930, from breathable materials to bay window movement.