Services offered
BUILDING CONDITION ASSESSMENT REPORT FOR PYRITE DAMAGE
If you are concerned about the presence of Pyrite in your home and are planning to submit a claim under your Premier OSG Homebond insurance policy we can undertake the required structural survey inspection and provide you with a fully detailed written report. The survey includes a detailed inspection of the whole property and a full level survey of the ground floor. The reports are completed to the specific requirements of Premier OSG protocols. We have an excellent track record in providing these reports and undertaking an engineering investigation to assess if the cracking is severe. We can then recommend if sampling and testing should occur... click here to read more about our pyrite surveys
Planning and Design Consultants
We can produce quality design solutions to match your ideas and economic requirements, ensuring compliance with the current building regulations and planning legislation. We can also liase on your behalf with the Local Authority with regard to compliance on regulatory matters for the new build if required. We can also prepare the necessary applications for submission to Local Authorities in relation to Planning and Building Regulation Requirements. We can also provide design advice on structural elements of the build and provide certification of these elements if required.
We can prepare the necessary applications for submission to Local Authorities in relation to Planning and Building Regulation Requirements. We can also provide design advice on structural elements of the build and provide certification of these elements if required.
Project management & supervision
A full site project management and supervision service can be provided. We undertake regular site visits at the critical stages of construction: the excavation and construction of foundations, drainage works, rising walls, flooring, walls, roofing and any structural elements of the building. We monitor the works during the construction phase of the building to ensure compliance with best building practice and standards. The requirements under the current Building Regulations and the conditions of the Grant of Planning Permission where applicable are also monitored during the construction phase. At each interim inspection we can certify the payments to the contractor and upon completion of the works we can issue a Certificate of Compliance for the project if required.
The service also provides for the review of tender packages and formal contracts prior to construction. The services offered also include the following:
Advice in the selection of competent building contractors; regular contract meetings to ensure that all aspects of the drawings and specifications have been fully understood by the builder/contractor, dealing with any issues that present during the construction phases as they arise so as to ensue the smooth running of the project and acting solely for you and on your behalf when you engage our professional services.
When the work commences we will administer the main building contract on your behalf, advise you by way of staged payments due to the builder-payments are normally made at fixed stages, for example, on completion of the external walls, roof works, electrical installation etc. Your lender may require this certification service.
Stage Payment Certificates
When the builder commences the work on site, we will administer the main building contract on your behalf and visit the site periodically to check the work as it proceeds. We can also advise you by way of staged payments due to the builder. Payments may be made at fixed stages, for example, on completion of the external walls, roof works, electrical installation etc. Your lender may require this before the monies for staged payments are released to you.
Additional services
Pre purchase structural surveys.
A structural survey is a detailed and comprehensive inspection of a property. An extensive examination of the building's structure, both externally and internally including the roof/loft space is undertaken. The survey will include a full inspection for any issues concerning structural defects in the property, an inspection for the presence of damp, circuit testing all plug sockets, heating system function and an inspection of the general condition of the property. Any other items that we deem appropriate to make comment on will also be included in the detailed report, which will produced on completion the inspection. Colour photographs are also included of any items that merit specific attention.
We will also inspect with regard to any alterations that have been made on the property and advise if these alterations are in compliance with current planning and building regulation legislation. The report will provide a full assessment as to the condition of the property and will identify defects in the property or any upgrade works that may be required. Armed with this report the purchaser can make a more informed decision in regard to placing an offer on the property. The survey is carried out for the sole benefit of the purchaser.
Snaglists on new homes and building works
When the building work on a new property or is complete, we offer to undertake an inspection of the property for defective workmanship and omissions/incomplete work. These defects and omissions are commonly known as snags. These snags can be remedied before you move in to the new property thus ensuring it is finished to the standards you quite reasonably expect. As part of the fees charged we make a return visit to the property to ensure the builder has completed the snags. All reports are type written with each room in the property clearly defined.
Certificate of compliance for planning permission
As chartered engineers we are in a position to certify building works or extensions for compliance with or exemption from current planning permission legislation. This service is available for new building works and for works that have been completed but were never certified at the time of completion.
Site safety & safety documentation:
Site-specific health and safety plans
Site-specific health and safety files.
Method statements and risk assessments
Safety Audits
Site setting out and ground surveys:
We offer a service whereby we will set out the works prior to and during construction. This means that we will provide the required line and levels for your ground works contractor to excavate the foundations and drainage of the new building, alignment and levels for rising wall block work and internal walls, services, plumbing for radiators, etc up to finished ground floor level. In fact our engineers can provide any site surveying and setting out that you may require.
Expert witness service- when things go wrong
From time to time things do go wrong during the construction of any property or extension-it is the nature of construction for things to go wrong. Sometimes it can go so wrong that legal proceedings may be the only route to resolution of such difficulties. We offer an expert witness service where we will undertakes a full inspection of defective works, producing a comprehensive report and attend any legal proceedings as a witness on your behalf to give testimony as to the contents of any such reports. We know what questions to advise the legal teams to ask and we know how to best answer the opposing teams questions. We have an excellent track record in these matters.
Damp surveys
If you have an issue with damp in a your property we offer an inspection service which will locate and identify the cause of the damp. Advice can then be offered on a practical solution to resolve and eliminate the problem. All reports have colour photographs where appropriate.
Closed off area inspections
We have specialist survey equipment that allows us to see into closed off areas such as wall cavities. If you suspect that the walls of your property are not properly insulated or that work has not been completed in areas that have become closed off from visual inspection we can see into these areas for you. This will involve the drilling of small diameter holes so we can insert our inspection equipment into the closed off space. This approach limits the potential damage that might otherwise be required when opening up a closed off space. To our knowledge we are the only company offering the service at this time.
Rules of Engagement: before things go wrong
