Building Surveys

 

A full building survey, previously known as a structural survey, is suitable for all types of property and is undertaken to advise clients on the potential liabilities and issues with the property and site. The type of report can be prepared to suit the specific needs of the client, from comprehensive due diligence reports and co-ordination of specialist sub consultants, or the production of executive style reports providing details on key issues found.

Schedules of Condition

We regularly prepare schedules of condition in connection with leases and planned preventative maintenance schedules for property portfolios. The importance of the schedules is regularly relied upon during planned development work and in Party Wall matters. We have extensive experience in preparing schedules of condition reports to suit the site and development particulars.

In our experience, a good schedule of condition more than pays for itself particularly in difficult economic conditions when property owners or tenants may rely more heavily on them and simple photographic records without carefully worded cross-referenced text may not provide sufficient detail.

Dilapidations

Dilapidations is a specialist area of building surveying requiring an experienced surveyor to correctly advise and ultimately this has a direct bearing on the “bottom line” of the business. The relationship between the landlord and tenant is a complex one and we have a significant amount of expertise and experience in this field, which has enabled us to keep abreast of the evolving law, practice and procedures surrounding the subject.

How we can help you:

We negotiate and agree complex dilapidations claims, provide guidance and strategic dilapidations advice in advance of a lease end, to advise clients on their potential dilapidations liability and scrutinise tenants works. Our robust, sensitive solutions save time and money, reduce stress, add value and increase profits.

Our aim is to create a successful and safe path through the complex area of claims enforcement and defence, plus creation of lease-end strategies, consider repair notices, advise on the implications of break notices, offer high calibre experienced negotiations and consider diminution (Section 18) valuations and expert witness evidence.

We can assist at all stages of a commercial lease including;

  • At Heads of Terms – schedule of condition
  • Licence to alter – monitoring and approval of tenant’s works
  • Interim repair notices – advice and guidance
  • Preparation of a Scott (priced) schedule
  • Co-ordination of specialist sub consultants – complex or specialist cases
  • Preparation of landlords claims and negotiate on behalf of landlords or occupiers
  • Lease end – administration of works to obtain best value
  • Dispute resolution – expert experience of the court and mediation process

Building Defect Reports

Occasionally, clients require advice on a particular aspect of a building such as an individual crack, dampness, roof leaks or other problems, which may have been observed following recent work, as result of Environmental changes or due to defective workmanship. We are able to provide an independent impartial experts view on the matter and have specialist equipment to assist the surveyor.