Japanese knotweed is one of the most difficult and damaging invasive plants to control in the UK. It can spread quickly, disrupting infrastructure, affecting roads and railways, causing damage to buildings, drains, gardens and other structures and impacting biodiversity. As a result, it can affect property values and delay construction projects. For this reason, mortgage lenders will ask for a full survey and effective management plan to be in place before they will lend money on a new property.
It is important to book a Japanese Knotweed Survey before attempting any form of DIY treatment on your site. This is because even a small piece of rhizome (the underground stem of the plant) can grow into an entire knotweed stand, resulting in significant costs for the land owner.
A PCA accredited ecologist can carry out a Japanese knotweed survey and provide an accurate and comprehensive report on the site. The report will detail the location of the knotweed, a description of the plant, development plans and previous control work, a risk assessment and recommendations. The survey will also look for other invasive weeds such as Himalayan balsam.
The results of the survey can be used to create an individual management plan for the site. The ecologist will identify the best method of control for the site and provide a quotation for these works to be completed. Once the work is complete a completion report will be issued as evidence of work undertaken.
Surveyors have a duty of care to clients to advise them if the site is affected by Japanese knotweed or other invasive weeds. However, this can be difficult as the plant has numerous identifying characteristics and may not always be visible due to the different stages of growth.
In the event that a surveyor misses the presence of Japanese knotweed at a property, a claim can be made against them for failing to act in their client’s best interests. This is why it is crucial to work with a reputable and experienced ecologist.
PBA Solutions are a PCA accredited company with a wealth of experience in carrying out Japanese knotweed surveys and management plans for residential properties. Their Managing Director was a contributor to the RICS Information Paper IP27/2012 titled “Japanese Knotweed and Residential Property” and has a clear understanding of what mortgage providers require for lending on properties with this problem.
As a result of this, PBA Solutions have been working hard to keep their Japanese knotweed survey cost down to help homebuyers get ahead of the game and avoid costly delays. In addition to this, they have a team of specialists who can provide advice on the most suitable treatment methods for your site. This can include spraying, excavation, granular fill, soil burial or chemical treatments. If you would like more information about booking a Japanese knotweed survey, or to find out how much your survey could cost, please contact us today. Our friendly and knowledgeable team will be happy to help.