Building Surveying

Commercial Building Surveys | Residential Building Surveys | Measured Surveys

Building Maintenance and Repair | Building Defect Surveys | Schedules of Condition

When acquiring a freehold or leasehold interest or an investment it is vital that you have an understanding of the condition of the property and the potential repair and maintenance liabilities that may arise. A building survey provides you with this information.

The survey report contains technical information on the construction and structure following a comprehensive inspection of the property. It will descrbe defects and comment on their significance, point out the potential for future problems and provide recommendations for remedial or preventive works. The report may suggest further investigations or exploratory works where the extent of a defect or suspected defect cannot be determined from the initial inspection.

Purchasers may wish to make alterations to the property to suit their particular needs. We are able to consider a clients brief when undertaking our inspection and advise on the practicalities of such changes.

Purchasers may wish to make alterations to the property to suit their particular needs. We are able to consider a clients brief when undertaking our inspection and advise on the practicalities of such changes.

A building survey does not include a valuation, but this can be arranged for an additional fee.

Building maintenance and repair is the key to sustaining the built environment. Buildings are a costly and valuable asset and need looking after. Timely well managed intervention will maintain the integrity of the building, control and balance expenditure over its life and avoid unplanned and possibly excessive expenditure to return it to a good condition. Maintenance and repair preserves the value of freehold property and protects tenants against dilapidations claims.

The correct identification of defects in the structure and fabric of buildings is essential to their proper maintenance and repair. Inaccurate diagnosis can result in unnecessary or wasteful expenditure while the incorrect use of materials or techniques may cause premature failure of building elements.

Lawrence-Vacher's Chartered Surveyors have the training and expertise to identify and analyse building defects and are able to advise clients on the most appropriate and cost effective method of maintenance, repair or replacement. We can report upon specific defects, such as structural problems, damp or timber defects, or we can provide advice on the overall condition of an individual building or property portfolio often as a precursor to developing a planned maintenance programme.

Following the identification of the problem and the appropriate remedial action we can prepare a specification or schedule of work and arrange for the work to be undertaken by an appropriate contractor.

A schedule of condition provides a record of the condition of land or buildings at a specific time for future reference and consists of a written document supported by photographs where appropriate.

A schedule can be produced prior to a lessee taking occupation of premises to possibly limit their liability for repairs or dilapidations under the terms of the lease. It can also be used to record conditions prior to carrying out building work for the benefit of owners or neighbours and for this purpose a schedule is normally incorporated into an Award where the building work comes within the provisions of the Party Wall etc Act 1996.

A schedule can prove to be invaluable in future negotiations on liabilities for repairs. Lawrence-Vacher can advise on the correct preparation of a schedule so that it is appropriate to the purpose for which it is required.

Measured surveys may be carried out in conjunction with other services such as building design, feasibility studies, maintenance, insurance assessments and landlord and tenant matters. Equally, measured surveys may also be carried out as a separate service to provide record information. All plans and drawings are prepared on computer.

Drawings prepared from a measured survey of land or buildings may include as required:

floor plans
sections
elevations
site layout
levels
services and drainage
trees and other features

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A building defects survey provides advice to clients on specific building elements, such as the roof, walls, floors or foundations or on particular defects, such as subsidence, structural problems, damp or timber defects. The survey can be tailored to address a client's particular concern or can provide advice on the overall condition of an individual building or property portfolio often as a precursor to developing a planned maintenance programme.

The survey report contains technical information on the construction and structure. It will identify defects and comment on their significance, point out the potential for future problems and provide recommendations for remedial or preventive works. The report may suggest further investigations or exploratory works where the extent of a defect or suspected defect cannot be determined from the initial inspection.

Our surveys are undertaken by qualified Chartered Surveyors with experience of assessing and diagnosing building defects and our reports are presented in a clear and usable format.

Where our investigations show remedial work is required we can prepare a specification or schedule of work and arrange for repairs to be undertaken by an appropriate contractor.

Buying a home is the biggest financial commitment you are likely to make. When purchasing goods or services you will generally research the product before committing to a purchase or be given a demonstration or explanation of how it operates. It makes sense therefore to safeguard your investment in a property by obtaining professional advice on its condition before you commit to a purchase. The Consumers' Association and the Council for Mortgage Lenders both advise purchasers obtain a survey before they buy and not rely on a lender's valuation. For a full report you should seek the expert opinion of a CharteredSurveyor.

A building survey (formally known as a structural survey) is a comprehensive inspection of the property and is suitable for all types of building. Where required it can focus upon parts of the building with which you have particular concern and take into account any alterations you may wish to undertake.

The survey report contains technical information on the construction and structure. It will identify defects and comment on their significance, point out the potential for future problems and provide recommendations for remedial or preventive works. The report may suggest further investigations or exploratory works where the extent of a defect or suspected defect cannot be determined from the initial inspection.

The survey may save you money by identifying serious problems enabling you to reconsider the price of the property to reflect the cost of repairs or in extreme cases you may decide not to buy.

Our surveys are undertaken by Chartered Surveyors with experience of assessing and diagnosing building defects and our reports are presented in a clear and usable format.

A building survey does not include a valuation, but this can be arranged for an additional fee.