Like many towns in the area, the historic growth of Trowbridge came on the back of the woollen trade but there has been some diversity with also food and beer production. Bowyers operated in the town from 1805 until production moved to Nottingham and Shaftesbury in 2008. Ushers Brewery was in Trowbridge from 1824 until the machinery was sold to North Korea in 2000. Wiltshire County Council is now the largest employer.

Trowbridge has a range of properties with many of the smaller terraced homes being of brick and / or Bath stone construction. The standard of construction of the older terraces is variable and, whilst often satisfactory, it is probably fair to say, less robust than similar houses in Midsomer Norton or Radstock where the lias limestone is durable and roofs often built using slightly larger rafters and purlins. The starting price for flats in Trowbridge is around £100,000 with most two bedroom terraced houses being in the region of £150,000 – £200,000. Much of the three bedroom housing stock falls in the £200,000 – £300,000 bracket and there is a good choice in modern developments around Staverton and in Paxcroft Mead. Larger family houses are available for £300,000 to £400,000; you could expect to secure an executive-style four or five bedroom detached house with double garage for £400,000.

If you are moving in or around Trowbridge, please call us on 01225 300879 to discuss your Survey or Valuation requirements.

The majority of older properties in Frome town centre date from the 17th and 18th century although many were demolished in 1960’s slum clearances. The houses close to the town centre, including in the Trinity area, were commonly used and occupied by those working in the wool and cloth trade which was the main industry expanding throughout the 1700’s. The River Frome, amongst others, provided power for mills, dyeing and other processes associated with wool and cloth manufacture.

In terms of property, flats in Frome can be purchased from £100,000 upwards with a number of one bedroom flats available at the time of writing for between £100,000 and £125,000. A good one bedroom flat in a better location is however likely to be worth nearer £150,000 which is also the starting point for small houses. A better two bedroom modern house is likely to be worth around £200,000 with reasonable three bedroom semi-detached houses from £250,000 to £350,000 depending on location, size and condition. Family houses with four bedrooms start at around £350,000 increasing to £750,000 or more for a property with land. At the time of writing, there are around 15 properties for sale over £1m within three miles of Frome.

We should be pleased to discuss your requirements if you are thinking of moving in or to the area. Before his retirement, we worked closely with Chartered Surveyor Peter Bennett FRICS who was a well respected local Surveyor based just outside Frome.

The area has been inhabited since the Iron Age and its importance grew after construction of the Fosse Way; a Roman Road linking Exeter and Lincoln. Coal was discovered in around 1750 and production peaked in 1901 at over 1m tonnes per annum. The industry declined with the last mines closing in 1973 mirroring the decline in local railways; passanger and freight lines closed in the mid 1960s and mid 1970s respectively. The disused line to Frome is now popular with walkers and cyclists with Sustrans Route 24 linking to Bath via the Two Tunnels Greenway.

In terms of property, flats in Midsomer Norton and Radstock start at around £100,000. The cheapest house available at the time of writing is advertised at £80,000 being a former miners cottage in need of comprehensive repair and modernisation. A similar house in good condition will be approaching £200,000. We find that many of these houses are reasonably well built with durable walls of lias limestone and traditional, fairly robust rafter and purlin roofs. Many are tucked away in quiet corners retaining a community spirit and often with relatively large gardens. There are many very decent modern and older three bedroom houses for around £250,000 and four bedroom houses are still available for less than £300,000. A more impressive family house can be purchasd with a budget of £400,000; country houses and farmhouses in the immediate area being in the £500,000 to £1m bracket.

If you are moving in the Radstock or Midsomer Norton area, we should be very pleased to discuss your Survey and Valuation requirements. Call us on 01225 300879.

It is essential to be sure that the management of the building is satisfactory in order to protect your investment, to avoid conflict and also for health and safety reasons.

When undertaking a Building Survey of a flat in a typical Georgian or Victorian building we shall do our best cover the shared external parts including chimneys, rainwater fittings, roof coverings and roof structure. We shall also undertake a review of the shared elements of the building including the hall, fire safety precautions, escape lighting, signage etc.

Self-managed blocks can suffer if the owners do not have the necessary expertise or time to properly manage the building. The HSE has provided a useful Management and Risk Assessment Checklist which can be obtained by following the link below.

Risk Assessment for Flats