Pre-Acquisition Building Survey – Hinckley, Leicestershire

WHLBC PROJECT CASE STUDY

Pre-Acquisition Building Survey – Hinckley, Leicestershire

A pre-acquisition survey was undertaken for an early 19th-century high-street property in Hinckley, Leicestershire.

Project Overview

Type of Survey:
Pre-Acquisition Building Survey

Location:
Hinckley, Leicestershire

Type of Construction:
Early 19th-century high-street property of traditional solid-brick construction with a pitched slate roof, rear flat roofs and a later single-storey extension.

Our client commissioned WHL Building Consultancy to undertake a pre-acquisition survey of a property in Hinckley. The early nineteenth-century high-street unit comprises traditional solid-brick construction, a pitched slate roof, rear flat roofs and a later single-storey extension. The visual, non-intrusive inspection reviewed the structure, external envelope, internal accommodation, services, grounds and matters requiring legal verification. Its purpose was to establish the property’s condition before purchase, identify material defects and risks, recommend further investigations and provide indicative repair allowances.

Key Benefits

Confirmed that the property was generally structurally sound for its age, with no evidence of significant or progressive movement.
Identified short-term repairs to roof coverings, brickwork, render, joinery and rainwater goods, together with damp risks from high rear ground levels.
Highlighted fire-safety shortcomings, including inadequate detection, no emergency lighting and breaches in passive fire protection requiring a Fire Risk Assessment.
Recommended targeted due diligence, including CCTV drainage, structural review of the rear wall bulge, services testing and investigation of concealed timbers.
Provided itemised budget allowances and legal checks to support purchase negotiations, refurbishment planning and future maintenance decisions.

Conclusion

The survey gave the client a clear understanding of the property’s condition and the risks to consider before acquisition. Although the building was considered generally sound and serviceable, age, weathering and deferred maintenance had resulted in defects requiring short-term attention. Priority actions include repairing the external envelope, improving fire-safety provisions, testing building services and completing recommended drainage and structural investigations. Verification of approvals, safety certificates and the property’s EPC position was also advised before exchange of contracts.