Non-standard construction
A Hawksley bungalow shows an aluminium stanchion at one corner where the cladding has been taken off. What of the remaining hidden stanchions was not exposed?
The remaining stanchions, still hidden behind the cladding, were not exposed. A Hawksley bungalow shows an aluminium stanchion at one corner where the cladding has been taken off, so that one member could be seen. The others stay covered. The survey has described the exposed corner. It has not uncovered the rest, and it has not tested the aluminium it could not see. One opened corner is not a survey of every stanchion.
Last reviewed 24 October 2026. Written for buyers in England and Wales unless this answer says otherwise. No named surveyor has signed this page. It is general guidance, not a report on your house, and not legal advice.
What is the fuller explanation?
Hawksley bungalows are framed in aluminium, with the frame covered by cladding. Taking the cladding off at one corner is a local opening. It shows the stanchion in that corner and the condition of the metal you can actually look at. It does not show the feet of the other stanchions, the joints under the windows, or the lengths still buried in the cladding line. Corrosion, if it exists elsewhere, was not in view. The survey should not average one corner across the whole frame.
If a lender wants the frame understood, ask a specialist in non-standard houses what further opening is justified, with the seller's agreement. Tell the solicitor the survey exposed one corner only. Do not strip the rest of the cladding on the back of this note. The hidden stanchions remain undescribed. One open corner is not a survey of the frame.
What should you ask your surveyor?
- Which stanchion was exposed, and which stayed behind the cladding?
- Did you avoid judging the hidden aluminium from the one open corner?
- Was any test of the covered stanchions outside this visit?
What are the typical next steps?
- Limit the note to the aluminium stanchion that was uncovered.
- Do not describe the hidden stanchions as if they had been exposed.
- Ask a specialist if the rest of the Hawksley frame needs opening.
Costs vary with the building and with who you instruct. Where this page does not cite a published figure, ask the surveyor, a relevant specialist, or your solicitor for a written quote. Do not treat a forum average as the price.
Also asked about this
If the exposed stanchion looks bright, are the others sound?
No. Bright metal at one opened corner describes that corner. The remaining stanchions were not exposed, so their condition is still unknown. The survey has not tested aluminium it could not see. The rest of the Hawksley frame stays undescribed.
Does missing cladding at the corner mean the bungalow was fully opened up?
No. Cladding taken off at one corner is a local gap. The rest of the frame line stayed covered. The survey has not described those hidden stanchions. Only that one corner was opened, which is not a whole-frame inspection. The covered stanchions stay hidden.