0116 4300 272
51 Henley Road, Leicester, LE3 9RD8.30am to 6.30pm Monday to Friday
Building/ Structural Surveyors Reports
About Steve Butler RICS Chartered Surveyors
Steve Butler Chartered Surveyors are independent RICS Chartered Surveyors in Oadby, providing homebuyer surveys, building surveys, and residential valuations across Oadby. With over 30 years’ experience, we offer clear and impartial advice to homebuyers, property owners, and solicitors.
Our Oadby surveyors undertake RICS HomeBuyer Reports, Level 3 Building Surveys, Help to Buy valuations and CPR 35 expert witness reportswith fixed fees and no estate-agent referral bias.
Our detailed local knowledge allows us to identify common construction types, recurring property defects, and location-specific risks, helping clients make informed decisions before committing to a purchase.
Property survey and report - 1950 Oadby house
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During a recent RICS Building Survey in Oadby, our surveyors inspected a 1950s property originally built using concrete panel construction, a non-traditional method that can affect mortgageability, insulation performance, and long-term maintenance.
The concrete panels had been replaced with brickwork at a later date. Our inspection focused on assessing the quality of the alterations and identifying any structural implications.
Additional defects identified included:
A leaning chimney
Cold concrete ground floors
Missing stair handrails
These issues raised concerns relating to structural stability, energy efficiency, and occupant safety. A Level 3 RICS Building Survey was recommended to fully assess risks and likely repair costs.
Level 2 residential property survey by Leicester RICS surveyors.
Our Oadby surveyors found a dangerous boiler, dry rot beetles and wet rot. Poor ventilation was the cause of all three problems.
We provide independent residential surveys in Oadby, including:
RICS Level 2 HomeBuyer Reports>
RICS Level 3 Building Surveys
Structural surveys and defect investigations
Help to Buy and shared ownership valuations
Matrimonial, probate, taxation, and insolvency valuations
All surveys are carried out by RICS-regulated Chartered Surveyors. Reports are written in plain English, with clear explanations of defects and practical guidance on repairs and maintenance.
Clients value our straightforward, practical approach and our willingness to go the extra mile. You are welcome to attend the survey, allowing defects and concerns to be discussed on site with the surveyor.
Leicester Surveyors Property Survey Report - Hidden Leaks and Structural Damage
Oadby RICS surveyors recently dealt with an otherwise immaculate house that was ultimately written off by insurersdue to significant structural cracking.
The damage was traced to a leaking lead water pipe, not within the property itself but in an adjacent, uninsured property. As the source of the leak lay outside the insured boundary, insurers refused to carry out repairs
Instead, the insurers paid the owners the full market value of the house prior to crackingand allowed them to. The neighbouring property was subsequently made subject to an order prohibiting habitation>
This case highlights how hidden defects and third-party issues can have serious consequences, even in well-maintained homes. A detailed RICS Homebuyers Survey can help identify warning signs early.
Steve Butler qualified as a Chartered Surveyor in 1992 and has extensive experience surveying houses, flats, and residential buildings throughout Oadby and Oadbyshire.
Professional qualifications include Chartered Surveyor status, Government Home Inspector qualification, Commercial Energy Surveyor certification, and Associate Membership of the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives.
Steve Butler Chartered Surveyors are regulated by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors and comply fully with its Rules of Conduct, ensuring high standards of independence, competence, and professional integrity.
The practice is entirely independent of estate agents and mortgage lenders and does not pay or receive referral fees.
A recent RICS HomeBuyer Survey in Oadbyidentified several common defects in a 1900s terraced house, including:
Damp staining
Sloping floors
An inefficient older boiler
Defects to the roof structure
Condensation-related mould growth
Some issues were visible during inspection, while others required professional assessment to determine their cause, severity, and long-term implications.
Defects of this nature can significantly affect running costs, comfort, and future maintenance, making a RICS survey essential before exchange of contracts.
Property concerns can be stressful. We aim to be accessible and responsive throughout the process:
Available Monday to Friday, 9:00am–6:00pm
Direct email contact with a Chartered Surveyor
Complex matters discussed by phone where appropriate
Meetings available on site, at your home, or at our office
In many cases, we can carry out same-day or next-day property surveys in Oadby.
RICS Surveyors investigation into structural movement of the 1900 Leicester terrace house
During a detailed inspection of a 1900s terrace in Oadby, our RICS surveyors identified three separate types of structural movement, each with a different cause:
Historic movement to a former outhouse conversion due to inadequate foundations
Historic cracking associated with an old drain run
Thermal expansion cracking in a long masonry wall without expansion joints
As the property was located in an area known for historic limestone mining, a mining report was recommended as a precaution.
This highlights why a RICS survey is essential for correctly diagnosing structural issues, rather than assuming all cracking is caused by subsidence.
Chartered Surveyor's Homebuyers Report on a 1950's Flat
During a recent Building Survey, our Oadby RICS surveyors identified several significant defects.
Matters noted included a leaking car park roof, areas of penetrating damp, and an eroded wall damaged by a nearby tree. Particular concern was raised about the potentially high cost of repairs, especially in relation to the structural wall and the waterproofing and repair of the car park roof.
Defects of this nature can result in substantial and unexpected expenditure if not identified early. A RICS Building Survey provides clarity on the severity, likely causes, and financial implications of such issues, helping buyers and owners make informed decisions.
As a private, RICS-regulated practice, we provide a personal and professional service from initial enquiry through to completion of the survey.
Our aim is to ensure clients receive clear and impartial advice to support informed decisions when buying or owning property.
Property survey report - 1981 Semi detached house in Leicestershire
As this house was of timber-framed construction, our Oadby RICS surveyors took particular care to check for evidence of dampness that could lead to decay of the structural timber frame.
During the inspection, ponding was noted on a flat roof, indicating that further investigation was required. This raised concerns that the roof deck may not have been properly constructed or adequately drained.<
Persistent ponding can increase moisture levels and encourage condensation within the roof void, creating conditions that are favourable for timber decay and wood-boring beetle activity.
Issues such as these are often not visible during a viewing but can have serious structural and cost implications if left unaddressed. A RICS Building Survey is essential for identifying risks in timber-framed properties.
If you are buying or owning a property in Oadby or Oadbyshire, a RICS HomeBuyer Report or Building Survey can help identify defects early and reduce the risk of unexpected repair costs.
To discuss your requirements or to obtain a fixed-fee quotation, e-mail steve@buildingsurvey.co.uk. Our independent RICS Chartered Surveyors will be pleased to advise on the most appropriate survey for your property.