News & Features
All the latest news, articles, features and tips
Welcome to our blog page, where we share our years of experience as chartered surveyors to provide you with valuable articles, features, and practical tips about homes. Whether you’re a homeowner, buyer, seller, or investor, our blog offers expert insights on everything related to the housing market. From property inspections and valuations to renovation and repair, our blog covers it all, providing you with the information you need to make informed decisions about your home.
Saffron Walden THE BEATLES and a Yellow Submarine!
One of Snow Walker’s most notable building surveys was of a thatched, period property nestled in a beautiful river valley. Located just 5 miles from Saffron Walden, this picture-box listed cottage was once home [...]
Choosing the right logs for your woodburning stove
The new wood-assured directive is now in place whereby only seasoned timber, ideally hardwood, with a maximum moisture content of up to 20% should be burned in hearths and stoves. A good merchant probably [...]
As the cold nights approach, a wood burning stove might well appeal!
If you're thinking about a wood burning stove, here's some independent guidance and advice from expert surveyors. In 2001, the Government reduced the tax on diesel to encourage its use as a cleaner fuel [...]
Why do some timber-frame houses have their beams exposed while others don’t?
Half timbering is an English phrase originating from an 1820s novel and is used to describe a load bearing wood frame, exposed externally, with infill panels. Romanticism aside, it is entirely likely that many [...]
What would you do if you had to replace your beautiful period home?
Insurance reinstatement valuations on period and listed homes are vital. Most historic and listed buildings are unique national treasures yet home owners and insurers are often unaware of the complexities involved in insuring them [...]
As Autumn arrives, an Aga cooker may begin to appeal!
In the mind’s eye, the iconic enamelled Aga cooker seems to be as much a part of country living as the obligatory Land Rover. Understanding the wonderful attributes of this cooker, along with some [...]
Dealing with Wasps and Hornets
Social wasps are often seen in British gardens where they can become something of a nuisance when food and drink are present. There are several species found in the UK including the common wasp [...]
Oil Storage and Safety
It is still common, especially in rural areas, to discover old, single-skin, metal oil storage tanks in at-risk locations such as close to garaging or in outhouses. Bearing in mind that oil tanks are [...]
Rats! Are they getting too close for comfort?
An old urban myth suggests that you are never more than six feet away from a rat, but they might well be getting closer. Experts suggest that with climate change and long warm winters, [...]
