Homes we survey in Bedford
Bedford sits on the River Great Ouse, and the streets closest to the centre and the Embankment are largely Victorian and Edwardian, with terraces, larger villas and houses since converted into flats. Solid brick walls are common in these older streets. Beyond them lie the interwar and post-war suburbs, and semi-detached houses are the type we inspect most. Estates from the 1960s and 1970s form the largest single age group in our records here.
The Marston Vale, to the south-west, was a centre of brickmaking, and its Fletton bricks, made from the local Oxford Clay, were used widely. Villages such as Elstow have historic timber-framed cottages, and we have seen timber framing of different ages across the area. Ampthill, to the south, has a Georgian town centre.
From our survey reports in Bedford
Based on 42 DBISS surveys in 6 postcode districts since 2022. Figures are rounded; homes can fall in more than one wall category.
When the homes were built
Property types
- 45% semi-detached
- 17% detached
- 14% mid-terrace
- 7% end-terrace
Main walls
57% cavity masonry · 26% solid masonry
Non-standard construction recorded
Timber frame. About non-standard homes
What to look out for
Clay and trees. Much of the area is on clay, which shrinks in dry summers. Trees close to a house, including street trees, and leaking drains can both contribute to movement. We look for cracking and distortion and say if further investigation is needed.
The river. Homes near the Great Ouse and its tributaries can be checked on the GOV.UK long-term flood risk service.
Historic timber frame. Old frames often have hidden decay at the base and past repairs in unsuitable materials. We report on what can be seen and say when specialist advice is needed.
Post-war semis. Common points include cavity insulation added later, replacement roof coverings, and garage roofs, soffits and textured coatings that may contain asbestos.
Cranfield. Addresses near Cranfield airfield may be inside its flight restriction zone, where drones need permission to fly (CAA drone code). We check before every inspection.
Which survey?
For an unaltered interwar or post-war semi in reasonable condition, a Level 2 Home Survey (from £485 (including the £45 travel supplement)) is usually enough. Victorian and Edwardian houses, conversions, timber-framed cottages and homes with signs of movement are better served by a Level 3 Building Survey (from £595 (including the £45 travel supplement)), which includes a drone roof inspection where flight is permitted. Our which survey guide has more detail.
Most Bedford addresses are more than 25 miles in a straight line from our base (HP3 8PF), so the £45 travel supplement applies and the prices on this page include it. Some addresses further south, around Flitwick and Ampthill, are closer and pay no supplement. The price calculator works it out from your postcode.
Areas we cover
We cover MK40, MK41, MK42, MK43, MK44 and MK45, including Bedford, Kempston, Bromham, Wootton, Cranfield, Sharnbrook, Great Barford, Wilstead, Ampthill and Flitwick.
Nearby: Milton Keynes, Luton and Dunstable and Stevenage, Hitchin and Letchworth.