[BugBusBuggy]

Morning VZi-ers...
I might, all being well, be needing the services of a buildings surveyor in the not too distant future. Domestic property, built around 1920, but with a later extension on the side. It has had a couple of original internal walls knocked out, it's in a mining area, and has a tree (Leylandii) to just above gutter level about 1m from the rear elevation. It's an estate sale, and I don't think there's been any maintenance on the property for about 30 years. Structurally I don't see any concerns but I'm not trained or experienced to spot anything other than big cracks, so I think if our offer is accepted, we'll pay for a RICS Level 3 survey (this is the old 'full structural' if I've read correctly). Costs more, but may be a good bargaining chip on the price which currently I think, or at least hope, is a bit optimistic.
I could just look on the internet and pick, but thought I'd ask for a recommendation/advice...
Thanks,
Dave.

 

[Sol Ford]

Can't help with the surveyor.

If you think there's any chance in the future of extending the property in the direction of the tree, leave it there. I had enormous trees on the boundary, they blocked all the light out, so I cut them down.

Fast forward a couple of years and I wanted to extend in that direction. I could only go to within 2m from the boundary. If I'd left the trees there, I would've been able to go to within 1m, as the trees were already causing a light obstruction.

 

[BugBusBuggy]

Thanks Sol, no, the tree is just about 1/3 of the way into the rear elevation and minimum 4m from any boundary - we'd not be extending that way but thanks for the heads-up...