Building Surveying

Commercial Building Surveys

When considering the purchase of a commercial property, or entering into a new lease with repairing covenants, our Surveyors can undertake an inspection to identify the current condition and advise on the extent of defects, repairs or present and future liabilities.

Dilapidations

Acting for both the landlord and the tenant, either during or at the end of a lease term, we prepare, advise, defend and negotiate dilapidation claims arising from the covenants within the lease.  Where necessary we will specify, tender, manage or supervise any repair works to be undertaken.

Employer’s Agent

Design and Build projects have been commonly used for commercial and industrial units for some time and it is now the industry standard for large scale residential developments.  Our Surveyors are experienced in acting for the client as Employer’s Agent, project managing the contract from the initial planning and design stage through to preparing the Employer’s Requirements, tender, site work and completion, ensuring control on cost, quality and programme.

Condition Reports and Planned Maintenance

We consider property as an investment and to maximise its value it is important to ensure the property is well maintained.  Our surveyors regularly prepare Condition Reports and Planned Maintenance Schedules for building owners, residents’ associations and block management companies to identify the current condition, to advise on the urgent and future repairs and phased decoration works.

Construction Monitoring and Project Management

Any construction process will benefit from professional input.  With detailed knowledge and experience of procurement strategies and standard forms of contract a chartered building surveyor is ideally skilled to act as a Project Manager or Contract Administrator, either from inception to completion or only for the contract period.   We regularly monitor construction works on behalf of banks and other funders to verify progress and expenditure to support drawdown requests.

Party Wall Surveyors

Since the implementation of the Party Wall etc Act 1996 our surveyors have continually acted as Party Wall surveyors.  The duty of the Party Wall surveyor is a statutory role and the Act controls all work to party walls, party fence walls and excavations within 3 and 6 metres of the adjoining owner’s buildings.  Instructed to act as either the building owner’s surveyor, adjoining owner’s surveyor or the agreed surveyor we will prepare and issue or respond to Notices issued under the Act, prepare Schedules of Condition and Party Wall Awards for both residential and commercial clients.

Defect Analysis and Repair

A key skill of a Chartered Building Surveyor is the understanding of all types of construction and the ability to identify defects within a structure.  With this knowledge the correct method of repair can be clearly specified and monitored.

Refurbishment and Alterations

Buildings are generally constructed for a specific purpose and will eventually become tired or require adapting to suit the changing needs of the existing or new occupier.  From inception to completion the construction knowledge of a Chartered Building Surveyor will prove invaluable for each key stage.  We can advise on procurement strategies, design, the use of modern or traditional materials, budget costs, the appointment of contractors and life cycle costing to assist with delivering the right product.

New Build Projects

A building surveyor provides a key role in any new building project.  With a detailed knowledge of modern and traditional construction the building surveyor can advise on design, build costs and life cycle costing, procurement strategies and project management.  The building surveyor is regularly appointed to act as the Project Co-ordinator, or Employer’s Agent, to bring together other members of the Project Team such as Architects, Interior Designers, Mechanical and Electrical Engineers, Structural Engineers, Quantity Surveyors and Planning Supervisors to ensure that all parties are fully informed and perform their specific duties.  Acting as Contract Administrators during the construction process we monitor the works for progress and quality, issue Contract Instructions, agree Values for Interim Payments and Variations, issue Completion Certificates, agree the final account and issue file Certificates once the Defects Liability Period has expired. 

RICS Certification of Domestic Structures

The RICS provides a Certification Scheme for domestic clients or small developers constructing domestic properties.  We will review the working drawings prior to the commencement of works, undertake regular inspections to ensure compliance with local authority approved drawings and good building practices and once complete will issue the RICS Certificate.  This Certificate is accepted by Banks and Building Societies for the purposes of securing any lending such as a mortgage.

Building Disputes

Not all building projects run smoothly, on time and on budget.  When this occurs one party of the building agreement will often place blame with the other party and disputes will arise over elements such as quality or quantity of work undertaken and cost.  By appointing a building surveyor to administer building works under a standard contract the likelihood of a dispute is significantly reduced.  When a dispute does occur the appointment of a building surveyor at an early stage to review the works undertaken or costs claimed, either acting impartially or on behalf of the defendant or the claimant can resolve disputes without unnecessary solicitors’ appointments or court costs.  Should either party refuse to accept our findings then our instructions may develop into the role of an ‘Expert Witness’.

Building Reinstatement Valuations

Building Reinstatement Valuations (BRV’s) are an assessment of the building reinstatement cost for insurance purposes. The valuation will cover the full cost of demolition, reconstruction and all additional costs such as professional and local authority fees. If the property is underinsured, the Insurer is not duty-bound to cover the full cost of any repairs, leaving the building owner to fund any shortfall.

For smaller single traditional dwellings the BRV is normally automatically adjusted by the Insurer year on year. However, for larger properties, residential blocks or commercial units it is advisable that BRV’s are carried out every 3-5 years with interim desk top assessments an annual basis.