Homes we survey in Aylesbury and Princes Risborough
Homes here span a wide range of ages. Aylesbury's old town, around St Mary's church, has narrow lanes and period buildings, and nearby towns and villages such as Wendover, Princes Risborough, Haddenham and Long Crendon have many houses built before 1900. Some are timber-framed, older roofs are often natural slate, and a few cottages are thatched.
Haddenham and some neighbouring villages are known for witchert (also spelt wychert), a local walling of chalky earth mixed with straw, built on a stone base and protected by a generous roof overhang. We have also seen other earth walling and historic timber frame in the villages.
Aylesbury itself grew a great deal from the 1960s onwards, and houses from the 1960s to the 1990s make up a large part of our work, from mid-terraces to detached homes. Newer estates such as Fairford Leys, Berryfields and Kingsbrook have continued that growth.
From our survey reports in Aylesbury and Princes Risborough
Based on 42 DBISS surveys in 7 postcode districts since 2022. Figures are rounded; homes can fall in more than one wall category.
When the homes were built
Property types
- 24% detached
- 21% mid-terrace
- 17% semi-detached
- 10% end-terrace
Main walls
64% cavity masonry · 29% solid masonry
Non-standard construction recorded
Cob / clay lump, Timber frame. About non-standard homes
What to look out for
Earth and timber walls. Witchert and other earth walls must stay dry and be able to breathe. Cement renders, plastic paints and raised ground levels trap moisture, and wet earth walls lose strength. In timber-framed cottages, look for decay at the base of the frame and for cement repairs that hold water against the timber.
Listed buildings. Many village cottages are listed or in conservation areas. Works that affect a listed building's character need consent, as the government's guidance explains, so check the history of any alterations.
Clay in the vale. Much of the low ground around Aylesbury is clay, which shrinks in dry weather. Trees close to houses and leaking drains are worth checking.
New homes. If you are buying on one of the newer estates, a snagging inspection can pick up defects for the developer to put right.
Which survey?
For a pre-1900 cottage, especially one with earth or timber walls, choose the Level 3 Building Survey (from £550); it includes a drone roof inspection where flight is permitted. A Level 2 Home Survey (from £440) suits a conventional house from the 1960s onwards in reasonable condition. Read our guide to choosing a survey.
Areas we cover
We cover HP17 (Haddenham), HP18 (Waddesdon, Long Crendon and nearby villages), HP19, HP20 and HP21 (Aylesbury), HP22 (Wendover, Aston Clinton and Weston Turville) and HP27 (Princes Risborough). Most addresses are within about 25 miles of Hemel Hempstead and pay no travel supplement. A few villages on the western edge of HP18, such as Brill, lie further out, and the calculator adds the supplement automatically for those.
Nearby: Berkhamsted and Tring, High Wycombe and Marlow and Leighton Buzzard.