Building Surveying Services

A 6 facet survey is a multi-faceted survey which enables an appraisal of an NHS Trust's Estate and provides a snapshot of the physical condition of individual buildings, which can inform the estates strategy. 

The results of the survey can be used to determine and manage backlog maintenance, along with measuring risk in relation to sub-standard assets so that investment can be prioritised. We have a strong working relationship with NHS Trusts, use comprehensive maintenance planning systems and have a team with diverse experience.

We provide asbestos management services to ensure protection of both business and personal interests and give guidance on compliance and legislation.

We arrange comprehensive asbestos surveys, including bulk sampling and analysis, using approved UKAS accredited laboratories, to EN45001.

The service includes on-site management and full supporting documentation in both hard copy and electronic formats.

We provide property asset management and portfolio assessments for almost all property types, from schools and healthcare buildings to banks, shops, commercial and industrial premises.

The service provides a detailed assessment of the statutory and financial liabilities relating to a building's use, condition and assessed maintenance requirements.

This service is provided for the owners or occupiers of: large single buildings, a single site containing multiple buildings, or a number of sites with either single or multiple buildings.

Building reinstatement cost assessment involves establishing the materials and type of construction used in the physical parts of a building, and the likely infrastructure areas which would be affected by the complete loss of the building.

It is not a building valuation, but an assessment to determine the cost of reinstating a building to a similar standard in the event of complete loss of the building fabric/structure.

We provide building reinstatement cost assessments for owners or occupiers of large buildings or property portfolios - for all property types, from schools and healthcare buildings to banks, shops, commercial and industrial premises.

Condition surveys produce detailed asset and repair data to ensure the effective execution of planned, reactive and repair works on existing commercial and residential property portfolios.

Our methodical and thorough approach to the collection, retrieval and analysis of survey information ensures the efficient allocation of time and resource necessary for the identification of repair works.

We use survey data to identify, implement and oversee works as part of our comprehensive contract administration services.

The subject of dilapidations is a complex and much misunderstood aspect of the landlord and tenant relationship. The meaning relates to the breaches of covenant to maintain and repair a building as stipulated under the terms of a lease.

Dilapidations concern the occupation of a leasehold property where a claim for remedial works or damages due to the breaches of covenant are identified and implemented by the landlord through the service of a Schedule of Dilapidations.

We provide a full and comprehensive service relating to dilapidations to all types of buildings held under a leasehold agreement to both landlords and tenants.

This service is provided for providers of goods and services, employers, education bodies and transport organisations.

The Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) places a wide range of obligations on the above parties and can determine the manner in which the organisation interacts with the public as well as requiring physical changes to premises regardless of tenure.

We offer a wide range of DDA and access related services, from initial examination of service provision, through access auditing, project delivery to the production of final audit trails as evidence of compliance.

In response to the nationwide flooding in the UK in 2007, we established a disaster recovery service - based upon previous experience and proven practices.

The process involves: an early site visit to identify and record the extent of damage and remedial work required, agreement on the required remedial works with the relevant insurer, managing the works to completion.

We communicate with the effected parties throughout to provide updates on progress.

We have a nationwide team of RICS accredited energy assessors to produce Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) and Display Energy Certificates (DECs).

We understand the nuances of the new legislation, dealing with the often complex situations which arise for many clients.

Supported by our sustainability team, our accredited energy assessors identify the optimum carbon solution based on EPC recommendations. We help clients not only to achieve compliance, but also to turn the potential constraint of the EPC into a practical and cost effective tool.

A fire risk assessment is an organised and methodical look at a property; the activities within the property, the potential for a fire to occur and the harm it could cause to the people.

During a fire risk assessment the existing fire safety measures/precautions are evaluated and kept under review to establish whether they are adequate.

We have a core team of over 40 trained fire risk assessors nationally who undertake fire risk assessments.

Surveyors are trained to evaluate hazards and the likelihood of harm resulting from these hazards to provide a comprehensive and prioritised risk assessment.

Historic buildings form an integral part of our cultural and architectural heritage.

The accurate assessment and understanding of historic buildings, their defects and modes of deterioration is vital to the design of appropriate repair.

We assess the condition of historic buildings, including the investigation of specific or generalised defects.

The design and specification of appropriate maintenance works should reflect the historic character whilst taking into account the latest recommendations and advice. We have key local knowledge and familiarity with historic context from our regional offices.

Measured surveys provide building owners or occupiers with accurate as-built 2D and 3D records of their property portfolio.

We produce measured surveys for clients throughout the UK within the commercial, industrial, education, government, security, retail and financial sectors.

General drawing standards provide for rooms and areas, wall positions and thicknesses, door and window positions, room use or categorisation, building groups or blocks, internal areas, associated external landscaping, and site boundaries, and more.

The Party Wall etc. Act 1996 is a piece of legislation that places rights and duties on neighbours on both side of the boundary where works on or close to the boundary are proposed.

The legislation places duties on the person carrying out works to provide adequate notice and information relating to works that he proposes to undertake at the boundary. The appointment of surveyors is also included within the Act to represent both the developing party and the neighbours.

We are experts in the administration of the Party Wall etc. Act 1996. We have a strong network of surveyors acting for both building owners and adjoining owners.

Planning is a key part of both development and asset management processes. Planning consents establish value and provide the legislative framework for the use of land and buildings.

Planning law can be complex, with national, regional and local requirements and considerations. Individual applications are subject to interpretation by local planning authorities and appeal inspectors.

We advise on planning matters and prepare and submit the necessary documentation. Our services extend from preliminary advice regarding planning matters to the presentation of planning appeals at public hearings.

Pre-acquisition surveys provide essential information to companies or individuals intending to purchase property. The survey gives the potential buyer detailed knowledge of the building including its construction, condition, life expectancy, potential repair and maintenance issues and anticipated cost to bring the property into repair.

We can undertake a Building Fabric Condition Survey, to varying levels of detail, and produce a report listing all the important information about the premises. As experts in legal aspects of property, we can also provide advice regarding the lease agreement and all other statutory and regulatory requirements such as the need for Energy Performance Certificates and Display Energy Certificates.

We provide radon monitoring for all property types. We first identify which premises are likely to have elevated radon levels and then set up an initial 3 month period of monitoring in the building in several areas. The Health Protection Agency then provides analysis of the results and reports this back to the client along with guidance and

recommendations.