Inspections and Reports on Dwellings: Assessing Age

by Ian Gordon (Author), Ian Melville (Author)

• Used

  Paperback
  2004

  $7.51

  All reports on dwellings require an age assessment, which may be a determining factor in a loan application and is a necessary prerequisite for calculating reinstatement costs related to forms of construction commonly adopted at particular times and it is essential for the inspector to be able to relate these two factors.

  This book is divided into twelve age bands with seventy two colour photos of dwellings for each period. Each age band contains a commentary outlining the social, economic and technical circumstances of the time, which helps to explain why they look as they do. An overview of the photographs draws attention to the particular features which help to place a dwelling within one of the defined periods.

  The broad range of dwellings covered, from the new to the old, the large to the small, with those built privately and those built by local authorities, will provide the necessary assistance towards identifying the age of a dwelling in any part of the UK.

  All those engaged in inspecting, whether studying to qualify, newly qualified or experienced will benefit greatly from reading this book.

• Used

  Paperback
  2006

  $3.36

  Inspecting, the second book in Melville and Gordon's Inspections and Reports on Dwellings series, provides the inspector with everything he or she needs to know about every conceivable type of dwelling. Complete with explanations of how to determine the construction of external walls, how to assess exposure conditions and how these relate to each other and over 450 captioned colour photographs in support of the text. The book provides detailed explanation of a variety of building materials, including over 150 types of stone and quarry locations, as well as issues surrounding the conservation of cob, witchert and hardwood timber framing, and thatched, stone and lead roofing. The authors provide detailed advice on ground movement, foundations and the trees that might cause a danger and also the contrasting views on the dangers of the presence of radon.

  Desirable attributes in the surveyor are discussed such as qualifications and necessary insurance cover, both in respect of liability for his/her work and own person. Court cases determining the scope and level of inspection are given full consideration and there is a concentration on ascertaining, particularly in regard to age, the materials and forms of construction that make up each part of a dwelling, the structure, finishes, services and surroundings and their condition, all by means of sight, sound, feel and smell.

  All those engaged in inspecting, whether studying to qualify, newly qualified or experienced will benefit greatly from reading this book.