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About Mark

Surveying advice on residential properties

Mark Vincent outside a house

Mark Vincent is an independent, professional residential Chartered Surveyor and RICS Registered Valuer who qualified in 1985. He carries out Level 2 Homebuyer surveys and Level 3 Building Surveys on residential properties in his principal area of North Somerset, Bath and North East Somerset and West Wiltshire.

Mark was born and raised in the area, and learnt to swim in the then murky green water of the Cross Baths in Bath. He was educated in Midsomer Norton, Frome and Bristol, and attained his degree from Leicester Polytechnic.

Having spent his early career in Bristol, Mark re-opened the Bath surveying office for Black Horse Agencies in 1992, and quickly became a well-known figure, along with the first of his four Staffordshire bull terriers to date.

Mark has worked in Independent Chartered Surveying companies and within large corporates, but set out on his own after deciding he wanted to provide clients with the best possible advice and service free of corporate constraints and pressures.

He is well known to the main estate agents in the BANES and West Wilts area for his friendly, approachable and professional manner in supplying his clients with sound, impartial and honest advice on their home purchase. Many agents ring Mark for advice on technical matters prior to, and following, survey and valuations.

Mark lives in BANES with Barney Rubble his staffie cross.

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FAQ'S

Why do I need a survey?

When you're buying a new house, it's very easy to get seduced by the look and feel of the place and ignore the bits which need work. But a few hundred pounds spent on a survey could save you thousands - by providing grounds for negotiating a price reduction- or by making you think twice about taking the property on at all. Here are just some of the “nasties” a professional surveyor might alert you to:

Japanese Knotweed

Japanese Knotweed was introduced in the early 1800’s as an ornamental plant. It has become a serious problem in this country. You need to be aware that most insurance policies do not cover damage and problems caused by Japanese Knotweed and it is unlikely to be covered in the future. If it affects your neighbour’s property, you are likely to be pursued for the costs involved. There are of course, other species that can cause equally as much, if not more damage.

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A Failed Cavity Wall Tie

Any cavity wall property built prior to 1981 could be at risk of Cavity Wall tie failure, where the metal ties connecting two skins of brick or block corrode to nothing (in the case of wire ties) or expand to lift the outer skin causing cracking and bowing.

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Radon Gas Warning Sign

Radon gas is a naturally occurring gas regarded as carcinogenic and is found in some parts of the area covered by Mark. Logically, keeping sub floor ventilation air bricks clear and ventilating the accommodation will mean that the gas cannot accumulate to potentially dangerous levels. Modern homes in at risk areas have radon barriers incorporated in the build unlike older properties. After 1991, properties in at risk areas had to have built-in radon protection as part of Building Regulations.

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