Always seek good professional advice before committing to buy a thatched cottage. By talking to a thatched property insurance specialist at an early stage can help to identify thatch specific issues and how to address them.
This is what one 'first-time' thatch buyer said of their buying experience working with Thatch Shield:
As a first-time thatched buyer, we really appreciated Steve's in-depth knowledge of thatched insurance. He was both quick and methodical when responding to the issues which arose during the insuring process.
Indeed, when a major issue arose, Steve found alternative solutions to the problem and offered reassurance when panic was setting in.
We would recommend anybody who owns, or is thinking about buying a thatched property, talk to Steve first - his tips and hints might save you money and heartache. We got so much more than insurance advice from Steve, his knowledge of all things thatched is comprehensive and he is extremely helpful.
We have fallen in love with our new home, but everyone should beware that there's so much more to consider when you buy a thatched property. Get professional assistance and advice from Steve at Thatch Shield Ltd.
An early appraisal from a thatched insurance specialist can address problems at the 'estate agent' stage rather than at the 'building surveyor' stage. For example, does the property contain a wood burner, is the chimney lined and insulated and what is the chimney height?
The majority of thatched houses are Grade 2 listed, and to extend the height of the chimney, involves getting planning permission, which can be a very difficult and lengthy process, with no guarantee to achieve the desired outcome.
Questions like these can make life difficult for estate agents, but it is far better to address these issues before structural surveyors get involved further down the line.
House buying is complicated enough but if your new home has a thatched roof, what extra steps do you need to take to ensure your dream home doesn't become a nightmare?