Substructure

Abstract

It is rarely necessary to inspect the foundations in the course of reconnaissance survey, unless there is evidence of settlement damage, the cause of which is not obvious. Even when desirable it may not always be practicable because of the proximity of drains, paving, or flower beds. If the house was built within the last fifty years, some information may be obtained from inspection of the deposited plans at the offices of the Local Authority, although there is no guarantee that a property has been built strictly in accordance with such plans. With older properties, enquiry at the appropriate office will often yield some useful information. Since 1947 it has been necessary to submit plans and obtain planning permission for structural alterations. Not all owners have done this, and a new owner wanting to make further alterations may have to carry out additional work to earlier alterations to make these conform with statutory requirements.