Blog - Cotswolds Surveyors | Emerald Ritter Building Surveying Solutions

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Drone Surveys for Roofs and Boundary Disputes

Most roof defects are reported from the ground with binoculars, because the alternative is scaffolding....

Electronic Leak Detection: Finding a Leak Without Digging

The water appearing on a ceiling is almost never directly below the hole. Water travels along joists,...

Insurance Remedial Works After Flood or Fire

After a flood or a fire the immediate response is well rehearsed. What follows – getting the building...

Cotswolds surveyors inspecting traditional stone cottages by a river.

Landlord Disrepair Claims and the Fitness for Human Habitation Act

Housing disrepair claims have risen sharply, and a landlord receiving one is usually looking at an allegation...

CDM 2015: What a Principal Designer Actually Does

Most people commissioning building work have never heard of CDM until someone mentions it, usually late....

Contract Administration and JCT Building Contracts

Most disputes between owners and builders come from the same place: there was no proper contract, no...

Roof and Chimney Defects in Cotswolds Properties

More damage inside old buildings starts at roof level than anywhere else. Water gets in at the top and...

Traditional Cotswolds cottages along a riverbank with lush greenery.

Remodelling a Cotswolds Property: From Measured Survey to Design

Most Cotswold houses weren’t built for the way we live now. Small kitchens, dark rear rooms, awkward...

Traditional Cotswolds stone cottages in a scenic village setting.

Listed Building Consent: What You Need Before Altering a Cotswolds Home

Owning a listed building in the Cotswolds comes with a responsibility as well as a view. Alterations...

Building Surveys in Bath: What Georgian Properties Need

Bath’s Georgian terraces are among the finest buildings in the country, and they come with a distinctive...

Timber Framed Properties in the Cotswolds: Survey Considerations

About WordPress Timber framed buildings are less common than stone in the Cotswolds, but they’re...

Defect Investigation: Finding the Cause, Not Just the Symptom

Cracking above a window. A patch of damp that keeps returning after it’s been treated. A ceiling...

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How Much Does a Building Survey Cost?

It’s usually the first question people ask, and the answer is more straightforward than most guides...

Party Wall Notices: When You Need One and How to Serve It

Most people first hear about party wall notices when a builder mentions them, usually later in the process...

An exterior view of traditional Cotswolds cottages highlighting the need for specialist survey atten.

Level 3 Building Survey: The Full Structural Picture

For older, larger, unusual or altered properties, a standard survey doesn’t always go far enough....

Contemporary Cotswolds house with patio and garden, scenic countryside views.

Level 2 Home Survey: What's Included and Who Needs One

When you’re buying a home, a survey is one of the most sensible investments you can make — but...

Aerial view of traditional Cotswolds cottages with gardens and swimming pool.

Conservation Area Surveys: What You Need to Know

Owning a property in a conservation area comes with real character — and real responsibilities. These...

Party Wall Awards: The Process Explained

If you are planning building work near a shared boundary — or your neighbour is — the Party Wall Act...

Flood Risk and Your Property Survey

Flooding is an increasing concern for property owners and buyers, and for good reason — the risk is real,...

Modern Cotswolds home with large windows and stone foundation.

Measured Building Surveys: When and Why You Need One

Before you can design an extension, plan a refurbishment or submit an application, you need to know exactly...

Surveying Thatched Properties: Special Considerations

A thatched cottage is many people’s dream home, full of charm and history. But a thatched property...

Japanese Knotweed and Your Property: What a Survey Reveals

ew things strike more fear into a property buyer than the words “Japanese knotweed”. This...

Subsidence and Structural Movement: Spotting the Signs

A crack in the wall is enough to make any homeowner’s heart sink. But not every crack means subsidence,...

Modern building entrance with car display window in Cotswolds.

Schedule of Condition Surveys: Protecting Yourself Before a Lease

If you are about to sign a commercial lease, there is one document that can save you a great deal of...

New Build Snagging Surveys: Why They're Worth It

It’s a common assumption that a brand new home doesn’t need a survey — it’s new, so...

Property Survey Red Flags: What to Watch For

Almost every survey turns up something — no property is perfect, and a long list of minor notes is normal....

How to Choose the Right Surveyor

Buying a property is one of the biggest financial decisions most people ever make, and the survey is...

Expert Surveying Services

Emerald Ritter provides professional surveying services across Bath, the Cotswolds, and Gloucestershire....

Home Buyer Report vs Building Survey: Which Do You Need?

You’ve had your offer accepted. The solicitor’s instructed. Now you need a survey — but which...

Dilapidations Surveys for Commercial Tenants

Dilapidations claims at the end of a commercial lease can run into tens or hundreds of thousands of pounds....

Planning Permission and Your Surveyor

Planning permission is where property ambitions meet regulatory reality. Whether you’re extending,...

Cotswolds surveyors assessing historic buildings in a picturesque village setting.

Surveying Period Properties in the Cotswolds

The Cotswolds is full of beautiful period properties — honey-coloured stone cottages, Georgian manor...

Cotswolds surveyors office entrance with classic windows and stone facade.

Pre-Purchase Surveys in Bath

You’ve found a property you love. The offer’s been accepted. Now comes the part that actually...

Wooden house models on grass with measuring line, illustrating property survey process.

Party Wall Surveys Gloucestershire

If you’re planning building work that involves a shared wall, near a boundary, or involves excavation...

Damp and Timber Surveys: Why They Matter

Damp and timber problems are among the most common — and most misunderstood — issues in UK properties....

Traditional Cotswolds stone cottages with blue doors and slate roofs.

What to Expect From a Building Survey

A building survey is the most thorough inspection available when buying a property. It examines the building...

Boundary Disputes: How Surveyors Help

Boundary disputes cause stress and can escalate quickly. What starts as a conversation about fence lines...

Traditional Cotswolds stone cottages with thatched roofs and lush greenery.

Rural Property Surveys: What's Different?

Buying a rural property means dealing with issues that simply don’t arise in urban areas. Private...

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Building Surveys Bath

Buying a property in Bath is a significant investment. A building survey gives you a clear, independent...

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Commercial Property Surveys in the Cotswolds

Commercial property purchases and investments require proper due diligence. Unlike residential purchases...

Choosing a Surveyor: What to Look for in Bath and Gloucestershire

Choosing the right surveyor makes the difference between useful advice and a generic report that misses...

Cotswolds Property Market: Surveyor's Perspective 2026

As property surveyors working across the Cotswolds, we see properties at their most honest moments. Here’s...

Historic Properties: Survey Considerations in Gloucestershire

Gloucestershire’s historic properties offer character that modern construction can’t replicate....

Traditional Cotswolds stone cottages along a riverbank.

Cotswolds Stone Properties: Specialist Survey Requirements

Cotswold stone properties are among the most desirable in England. The honey-coloured limestone creates...

Party Wall Surveys: Your Complete Guide

Planning building work that affects a shared wall or is near a neighbouring property? The Party Wall...

Pre-Purchase Property Surveys: Avoiding Costly Mistakes

Buying a property is likely your largest purchase. Yet many buyers skip proper surveys, relying on mortgage...

Traditional Cotswolds stone cottages along a riverbank in the Cotswolds.

Damp Surveys: Identifying and Addressing Property Issues

Damp is one of the most common problems affecting UK properties. Understanding what causes damp –...

Architect reviewing building plans at desk for Cotswolds project.

Structural Surveys vs Homebuyer Reports: Which Do You Need?

Choosing between survey types confuses many buyers. Both examine property condition, but they differ...

Commercial Property Surveys in the Cotswolds

Commercial property purchases and investments require proper due diligence. A commercial building survey...

Traditional Cotswolds cottages with stone walls and lush greenery.

Listed Building Surveys: Specialist Requirements in the Cotswolds

The Cotswolds contains one of the highest concentrations of listed buildings in England. These properties...

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