Oakfield Chartered Surveyors Ltd

Oakfield Chartered Surveyors Ltd Leading Chartered Surveyors with over 20 years’ experience covering the areas of London, Buckinghamshire and Berkshire.

Our services include Building Surveys, Homebuyers Surveys, Structural Surveys, Licence to Alter, Party Wall and Valuations.

Winter defects often begin long before winter arrives.September is a useful time for property owners and managers to ins...
22/09/2026

Winter defects often begin long before winter arrives.

September is a useful time for property owners and managers to inspect external areas before colder and wetter weather puts them under greater pressure.

Five areas worth checking:

• Roof coverings and flashings
• Gutters and rainwater pipes
• Pointing, masonry and external finishes
• Windows, joinery and seals
• Drainage and signs of persistent moisture

Small maintenance issues have an irritating habit of becoming expensive ones when ignored.

Planned inspection and maintenance can help identify them while they are still manageable.

17/09/2026

Improving a building’s energy performance is rarely as simple as adding insulation.

Before retrofit work begins, it is important to understand how the existing building is performing.

Damp, defective rainwater goods, failed pointing, inadequate ventilation or existing moisture problems can all affect the suitability of proposed improvements.

Without addressing the underlying issue first, retrofit measures can sometimes trap moisture or worsen existing defects.

So before asking, “How do we make this building more efficient?”

It can be worth asking:

“What condition is the building in now?”

Survey first. Specify second.

Older buildings weren't built badly.They were often just built differently.During Heritage Open Days, we're celebrating ...
15/09/2026

Older buildings weren't built badly.

They were often just built differently.

During Heritage Open Days, we're celebrating some of the buildings, materials and construction methods that give properties across London and the Home Counties their character.

From Georgian townhouses and Victorian terraces to period conversions and listed buildings, surveying older property requires an understanding of how traditional buildings were designed to perform.

Materials need to breathe. Structures move. Previous alterations matter.

Applying modern expectations without understanding traditional construction can sometimes create more problems than it solves.

Good surveying starts with understanding the building on its own terms.

10/09/2026

A quieter property market doesn’t make due diligence less important.

Arguably, it makes it more valuable.

When buyers have more time to assess a property and negotiate, understanding its true condition can become an important part of the conversation.

A professional survey can highlight defects, future maintenance requirements and areas requiring further investigation, giving purchasers a stronger understanding of both the building and the potential costs ahead.

Market conditions change.

The value of knowing what you’re buying doesn’t.

London is planning for hundreds of thousands of new homes over the coming decade.The Draft London Plan sets out signific...
08/09/2026

London is planning for hundreds of thousands of new homes over the coming decade.

The Draft London Plan sets out significant ambitions for housing, development, land use and growth across the capital, with consultation continuing until 15 October.

For the property industry, the conversation goes well beyond headline housing numbers.

Where will development be concentrated? How will existing sites be intensified? What role will brownfield land and outer London play? And what will increased development pressure mean for existing buildings, landowners and neighbouring properties?

Planning policy shapes the city from the top down.

Surveying often reveals what those ambitions mean at ground level.

Energy performance remains an important consideration for landlords and property owners.Privately rented domestic proper...
03/09/2026

Energy performance remains an important consideration for landlords and property owners.

Privately rented domestic properties covered by the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standard generally require an EPC rating of E or above, unless a valid exemption applies.

An EPC is typically valid for ten years and must be commissioned before marketing a property when no valid certificate is already available.

An EPC provides useful information, but it is not the same as a property survey. It assesses energy performance rather than offering a detailed evaluation of the building’s overall condition.

Understanding the distinction helps owners and buyers commission the right professional service at the right stage.

A newer property doesn’t automatically mean a problem-free property.We’re often asked whether a survey is still worthwhi...
03/09/2026

A newer property doesn’t automatically mean a problem-free property.

We’re often asked whether a survey is still worthwhile when a home appears modern, well maintained or relatively recently built.

The short answer is yes.

Issues can still arise from poor workmanship, alterations, drainage, roofing, movement, ventilation and maintenance, regardless of the age of the building.

A survey isn’t simply about finding something “wrong”. It’s about understanding what you’re buying, identifying potential liabilities and giving you a clearer picture before you commit.

Because new paint can cover a multitude of sins. A surveyor tends to look beyond it.

01/09/2026

September often brings a renewed sense of momentum to the property market.

For buyers, sellers, landlords and property professionals, it’s also a useful point to take stock of the condition, performance and longer-term requirements of a building.

From acquisition surveys and defect investigations to planned maintenance and professional property advice, informed decisions start with understanding the building in front of you.

If property is back on the agenda this September, make sure the detail is too.

Planning to sell your property this autumn?Preparing early can help reduce avoidable delays once a buyer is found. Depen...
01/09/2026

Planning to sell your property this autumn?

Preparing early can help reduce avoidable delays once a buyer is found. Depending on the property, this may include gathering guarantees and certificates, locating planning or building regulation documents and addressing maintenance issues before marketing begins.

Leasehold sellers may also benefit from requesting the relevant management information as early as possible, as this can take time to obtain.

A little preparation at the beginning can help keep the transaction moving later. Property paperwork has a curious habit of hiding precisely when it is needed most.

Please note that our office will be closed on Monday 31 August for the summer bank holiday.We will respond to enquiries ...
27/08/2026

Please note that our office will be closed on Monday 31 August for the summer bank holiday.

We will respond to enquiries as soon as possible when the team returns on Tuesday 1 September.

We hope our clients, contacts and fellow property professionals enjoy the bank holiday weekend.

Address

Kings Head House
Beaconsfield
HP92HN

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5:30pm
Tuesday 9am - 5:30pm
Wednesday 9am - 5:30pm
Thursday 9am - 5:30pm
Friday 9am - 5:30pm

Telephone

+441494926236

Website

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