Non-standard construction

One house in a street of brick houses is described as PRC. Why should you not copy the neighbour's cavity-wall assumptions onto it?

Because this plot is the odd one. A house described as PRC in a street of brick houses does not inherit the neighbours' cavity-wall assumptions. Their empty cavities are not your walls, and an empty cavity is not itself a defect even next door. Precast panels, often under a cladding, are a different build. The survey should describe this plot only. Do not copy the terrace's construction from either side, or a system name from a street brochure the visit did not match.

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?

Streets were finished with whatever was available. One PRC house can sit between cavity semis that look similar once all three have been rendered or overclad. The neighbour's wall ties, their insulation and their damp-proof course are about their leaves. Your panels, if they are panels, have joints, fixings and reinforcement instead. Assuming their details will make you ask a builder for the wrong repair and tell a lender you have a cavity. The survey of this house is the only construction evidence you have bought. Next door was not inspected.

If the PRC label itself is uncertain, resolve that with the surveyor before you reject the neighbours' details or accept them. What matters is this elevation: panels, brick of full thickness, or a skin over something unseen. An empty cavity, where a neighbour truly has one, is not a defect to copy and not a virtue to copy. Do not take a system name from a brochure about the estate if this visit did not see that system. Describe the house you are buying. The houses you are not buying can stay in the background.

What should you ask your surveyor?

What on this house, rather than next door, supports the PRC description?
Did you see panels, a brick leaf of full thickness, or a cladding you could not see behind?
Are you keeping neighbour cavity assumptions out of this report?

What are the typical next steps?

Describe only this plot to the lender.
Do not specify cavity-wall repairs from the house next door.
If the PRC name is unsure, ask the surveyor to say so before you repeat it.

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 next door has an empty cavity, is that a defect I should fear here?

No. An empty cavity is not itself a defect, and it may not even be your wall. This house needs its own description.

Can a row of brick-looking houses all be treated as cavity brick?

Not when one is described as PRC. Looks after cladding mislead. Use the survey of this house.