GUIDE TO RENOVATING

Don't let a few cracks send you running in the opposite direction to what could still be a dream renovation project - not all faults spell disaster

- IAN ROCK Chartered Surveyor Ian Rock FRICS is the author of the Haynes Period Property Manual and founder of Rightsurvey.co.uk

Buying a property to renovate can be a risky business. Decrepit décor, prehistoric plumbing systems and bathroom suites in perplexing colours are all par for the course. But where a building shows signs of cracking or distortion, most prospective buyers will have second thoughts. Better to walk away than risk getting lumbered with a five-figure repair bill? It has to be said, however, that just because a property looks a bit wonky doesn't automatically make it unsuitable for renovation. Most movement in old buildings is assessed in surveys as 'historic' rather than 'progressive', so you could be missing out on a property that is priced to reflect perceived levels of risk. The question is, how can you tell whether a crack is a worrying warning sign or an enticing invitation?

OLD OR NEW CRACKING?

As a general rule, the older a property is, the greater the likelihood that it will have contorted into an interesting shape. This sort of movement often turns out to be 'longstanding', requiring nothing more than localised cosmetic attention with filler.

The trouble is, pinpointing the precise reasons for movement isn't always straightforward, which is why insurance companies sometimes require cracks to be monitored for 12 months or more before settling claims. Once the cause of movement has been identified it should be possible to specify appropriate remedial works and accurately quantify the cost of repairs.