Building Surveys in Esher, Surrey

By the 16th century, King Henry VIII had annexed Esher incorporating it into the honour of Hampton Court to form a royal hunting ground, a testament to the area’s natural beauty and royal appeal. As a stagecoach stop on the London-Portsmouth Road, Esher grew into a bustling hub. The town’s growth accelerated with the arrival of the railway in the 19th century, connecting it more closely with the capital and enhancing its appeal as a residential area. Esher architectural heritage blossomed during this time. 

Esher is a charming and affluent suburb in the borough of Elmbridge. Nestled in the heart of Surrey it offers a tranquil escape from the hustle and bustle of London, while still providing easy access to the city. With its charming streets, excellent schools and an array of amenities, Esher is a prime location for property buyers. 

Set within Esher are desirable areas including Claygate, known for its rural feel and Hinchley Wood, with highly regarded local schools. 

This area is well connected to central London via the A3 and direct trains to London Waterloo generally take less than half an hour. Equally, the south coast is a relatively short drive via the A3 or M3. 

The town boasts a rich history, with Hampton Court and Sandown Racecourse adding to its cultural tapestry.  

The Esher property market is diverse offering everything from luxurious mansions in private estates to charming Victorian cottages. 

Much of the housing stock originates from the 1930’s offering off-street parking and well-sized gardens. 

Modern developments and apartments are also available catering to a range of preferences and budgets. 

Properties in Esher are known for their spacious layouts and beautiful gardens, often commanding premium prices due to the area’s high desirability. 

Like many other areas in London and Surrey, Esher experienced the devastating impact of aerial bombing during the Second World War. The town’s proximity to London meant that it was not immune to the effects of the war. Consequently, some homes in the area sustained bomb damage or were destroyed. As a result, some of the properties we see today show signs of movement and the aftereffects of the bombings.

A Home Survey or Building Survey will provide advice on any building movement evident and state whether it appears historic, possibly war-related, or if it is likely to be progressive movement requiring further investigation, remedial work and expenditure.  

Much of Esher is built on clay or sand. Clay is susceptible to shrinkage during prolonged dry periods and swelling during wet periods. This can cause movement to buildings, particularly after a long dry spell. Sand is known to be of slightly variable load-bearing capacity and washes away in the presence of defective drainage pipe work or altered water courses.

The older properties in the area will generally have shallower foundations compared with more modern dwellings and are therefore at increased risk of subsoil-related movement. A Home Survey or Building Survey by a qualified chartered surveyor will comment on any signs of foundation-related movement affecting the building and the associated risks.  

The majority of housing in Esher is identified at a low risk of river-related flooding, however, a small selection of roads close to the River Mole are classed as medium or high risk. Some roads in Esher are also at high risk of surface water flooding or flooding from reservoirs but this varies across the area. When purchasing a property your legal adviser will carry out searches and advise of such risks. 

The Level 2 Home Survey and Level 3 Building Survey will also identify if the property is in a high-risk area.  

Some parts of Surrey and London are affected by Radon gas. Radon is a radioactive gas, we can't see, smell or taste. It comes from the rocks and soil found everywhere in the UK and you need special equipment to detect it. The radon level in the air we breathe outside is very low but can be higher inside buildings. Most homes in Esher, Hinchley Wood and Claygate are in the lowest band of radon potential and considered low risk. This will be checked as part of our desktop research. 

Esher and the surrounding areas are a great place to buy a property due to the historic character, green spaces, well regarded schools, good transport links and local amenities. 

When purchasing any property make sure you instruct a Chartered Surveyor to carry out a survey before purchase to protect your investment.