Building Survey

A Building Survey is an investigation and assessment of the construction and condition of a building and it will not normally include advice on value.  The survey will generally include the structure, fabric, finishes and grounds; the exposure and testing of services are not usually covered. The extent of the survey will be subject to specific agreement between the professional advisor and the client; any advice on costs of repairs will be subject to separate agreement. It will not normally include exploratory or intrusive work. The report will normally only include reference to visible defects and guidance as appropriate on maintenance and remedial measures. The report may recommend that Elemental or Specialist Investigations are undertaken or other specialist advice obtained relating to specific issues.

Elemental or Specialist Structural Investigation

Elemental or specialist structural investigation, also known as defects damages/building pathology, will be carried out where concerns exists over specific parts of, or defects in, a property.

Example of the specialist work is the detailed study of movement, cracking, bulging, timber decay or testing of building services.

These may be required to assess the relevance or implications of conditions found within the building or unusual incidents affecting it.

Feasibility Study

A feasibility study is an exercise to assess the design and cost implication of a proposed project, the product of which is a Feasibility Report.

Inspection of Buildings Under Construction

Inspection of Buildings Under Construction are required for a variety of purposes, including typically statutory requirements and Latent Defects Insurance, which may dictate the frequency and scope of inspection and reporting format; these should be agreed between the professional and the client.

Investigation Prior to Alteration

An investigation prior to alteration will sometimes be required when alterations work is to be undertaken in a building. Subject to the necessary authority, it may involve opening up, measuring, calculations to check adequacy of structural and service elements and detail tests.

This investigation can be more detailed than the building survey and is likely to involve the services of a number of specialists. The scope of this type of survey will be specific to each individual job and, if necessary, the brief maybe altered as finalizing on site dictate.

Measured Survey/Dimensional Survey

A measured survey, sometimes referred to as a Dimensional Survey, will involve taking measurements of a building and/or its site in order to prepare accurate drawings to scale. Such a survey may indicate taking levels. The purpose for which the drawings will be required, their scale, detail and acceptable tolerance should be agreed beforehand.

Other surveys which our Firm can provide are as follows:-

• Access Appraisal
• Access Audit
• Fire Risk Assessment
• Fire/Storm/Water damage inspection for Insurance purposes.

Schedule of Condition

This will record the condition of the building(s) at a particular time and it may be supported by photographs, sketches and drawings. It may be prepared at the beginning of a lease or prior to commencement of adjacent construction work or in connection with litigation.

Schedule of Dilapidation

This will identify the works of repair of tenanted premises in relation to repairing obligation under the terms of the lease. It maybe prepared for service on the landlord or tenant, depending on their respective lease obligation. It is common to indicate general guidance on how to carry out the repairs required.

Sub-soil Investigation

Sub-soil investigation is required to determine the physical characteristics of sites as they affect the design and construction of building (or civil engineering work) including the stability of neighbouring structures, sub-soil contamination and land features.