Construction Projects & Design
Our Building Surveying team are highly skilled professionals with an in-depth understanding of structural matters along with a thorough knowledge of construction techniques and materials.
Construction project and design services covering the South West
Our building surveyors provide practical and reliable support for all stages of construction and refurbishment projects.
We produce and procure clear technical design information and help design out health and safety risk in line with the CDM 2015 Regulations. We work closely with third-party consultants, including quantity surveyors, structural engineers, and mechanical and electrical specialists, to coordinate and deliver a variety of projects. From managing office refurbishments and preparing work schedules, to handling planning applications and listed building consents, we focus on providing straightforward and efficient services that navigate time, cost and quality management. Our partnership with Local Authority Building Control also helps ensure projects meet regulatory requirements and enables us to work with local authorities all over the South West.
Construction Projects & Design services
Contract Administration
Our building surveyors offer a comprehensive Contract Administration role, either as an independent service or as part of a full ‘project management’ package, often from initial conceptual design all the way to completion. This is typically for the suite of Joint Contracts Tribunal (JCT) Contracts. We also have experience working with and managing a multitude of other technical consultants that are often required for larger project schemes, in order to provide a full service for our clients.
Architectural Design & CAD
Our building surveyors are able to undertake a host of design services, incorporating the production of AutoCAD technical drawings for a range of projects, from remedial defects work to details for Party Wall Awards and layouts and sections for larger new-build schemes.
Principal Designer (CDM)
The Construction Design & Management (CDM) Regulations (2015) require that all projects have a designated ‘Principal Designer’ or ‘Designer’ to design out risk and ensure that good principles for health and safety are established at the earliest stages of a project. We often undertake this role for our clients instructing construction projects and ensure that the appointed contractors both assume their equal responsibility for managing health and safety once a site is live and provide all necessary documentation for the Health & Safety File upon completion of works.
Refurbishment Projects
We have experience overseeing large multi-storey office refurbishment schemes offering full design, Principal Designer and contract administration services. This can also include for works identified within Schedules of Dilapidations.
Schedule of Works
We can provide tailored Schedules of Work for anything from small, lower value works to larger, complex works, generally with value limit of £5 million. We can also produce Work Specifications and Preliminaries, for construction contracts. A sufficiently detailed Schedule of Works is the first step towards keeping project costs on track and they can provide clients with protection when entering into a construction contract, whereby the Schedule of Works becomes a contract document that contractors are obliged to adhere to.
Planning Applications & Listed Building Consent
We manage planning applications and listed building consent processes, providing specialist advice and support. Our team ensures all applications meet regulatory standards and are submitted efficiently, allowing a smooth process from start to finish. We work with clients to develop comprehensive planning strategies, prepare necessary documentation, including Design & Access Statements and Heritage Impact Assessments for Listed Building Consent applications, to secure approvals.
Statutory Compliance & Building Regulations
Compliance with the British Standards and Building Regulations is an essential component of any project and must be dealt with from an early stage. We are able to coordinate Building Notices and Full Plans applications for all sorts of projects, collating information from single or multiple design consultants. We are a registered partner on the Partnership Authority Scheme with Local Authority Building Control which enables us to work with authorities all across the South West.
Construction Projects & Design Case Studies
Construction Projects & Design FAQs
What does a building surveyor do?
A building surveyor is responsible for assessing the quality and condition of buildings, for example historic buildings, hotels, leisure complexes, houses and commercial properties. Building surveyors are a crucial part of any construction or property maintenance team, advising on safety issues, tenders, contractors, maintenance schedules, energy regulations, boundaries, party walls and licences, as well as project managing building schemes. They will also advise on the condition of properties in relation to leases to provide dilapidation assessments for landlords and tenants, or in relation to contracts, should there be disputes between parties. To be a building surveyor, you need a degree in building surveying or a postgraduate conversion course accredited by RICS.
Since anyone can call themselves a surveyor, if you want a qualified building surveyor, you need to make sure that they do have the RICS accreditation.
What are 'dilapidations'?
Dilapidations refers to the condition of a property which has been let to a tenant and includes the condition both during and after the period of the tenancy. Lease agreements stipulate the levels of repair or maintenance that is required during, or on completion, of a tenancy. These are called dilapidations and relate to any breaches of the obligations of the tenant to repair, redecorate or reinstate elements of the property. Landlords and tenants can disagree on the levels of work required during, or on giving notice on a lease, and it’s worthwhile getting expert advice from a building surveyor before entering into a lease, as well as during, or at the lease end, as costs can be significant for either landlord or tenant.
What work should a tenant do to a property when they leave?
When a tenant gives notice to their landlord, they will have to comply with the dilapidations clauses in their lease. It’s a good idea for a tenant to commission a Dilapidations Liability Assessment in order to allow a tenant to budget for repairs or decoration costs before they end the lease. A tenant who has ‘to keep in repair’ may find they incur considerable costs, so it’s worth having your lease evaluated before you sign it. Tenants often feel that repairs required are less than the landlord will ask for, which can lead to a dispute. Our building surveyors can advise you on defects and fabric repairs along with the impact on value.
What dilapidations is a landlord responsible for?
A tenant is responsible for maintaining the property during their tenancy but not for improving the property or carrying out work on the exterior. As the end of a tenancy approaches, it is recommended that landlords appoint a RICS building surveyor to carry out a dilapidation survey, and to present the tenant with a Schedule of Dilapidations in advance of the lease ending. The intended use of the property may affect the extent of work that a tenant may be required to undertake. If a financial settlement is to be agreed (as opposed to the landlord undertaking work of repair at the end of the lease) the money to be paid by the tenant might be limited to the loss in value to the property as opposed to the cost of repairs. Landlords usually want a property ready to go back on the market as fast as possible, so agreeing the work in advance is sensible. There is the possibility, in some leases, for a landlord to undertake work on behalf of the tenant prior to the lease end and recover this money via the lease. Careful assessment of the options available to a Landlord in advance of the lease end is advised.
What is a Party Wall Agreement?
A Party Wall Agreement is compulsory for anyone carrying out physical construction on site, where they share a wall with a neighbour. A formal written notice needs to be submitted, preferably a few months before the work starts. Typical projects requiring a Party Wall Agreement are foundations, loft conversions, extensions and removing a chimney stack.
If you do the work without a Party Wall Agreement, your neighbour can seek a Court Injunction to stop you proceeding. If any damage is incurred to your neighbour’s property, and there was no Party Wall Agreement, you may have to pay additional costs in compensation.
There is no formal qualification to be a Party Wall Surveyor, even a chartered surveyor may not be conversant with the Party Wall etc Act, you should ensure any advice you receive is from a suitably experienced surveyor, other affiliations such as being a member of the Pyramus and Thisbe Club may also indicate a surveyors interest and wider involvement in the Act.
What can you do if there isn't a Party Wall Agreement?
If your neighbour is starting work that is along your boundary or along a shared wall, and the work is covered by the Party Wall etc Act 1996, but you have not been served Notice, we recommend you talk to your neighbour immediately and ask if they intend to serve a Party Wall Notice. While you can decide to consent anyway, you must be given the opportunity to consent or not. If you are concerned, work is proceeding without notice or agreement, the remedy is to apply for a Court Injunction to halt the work. If damage is incurred by you, and the neighbour didn’t apply for a Party Wall Agreement, the Courts will nearly always favour the other party over the neighbour who has not been compliant with the Party Wall Act.
How can I resolve a boundary dispute?
To resolve a boundary dispute requires a lot of patience and attention to detail. The cases can be very complicated, which is why we recommend using an experienced surveyor to advise you. Land Registry offers a process for resolving disputes, but it’s still worth getting expert advice on the validity of your claim. RICS have a mediation service to help neighbours avoid litigation, which can be a good option since it explores the dispute and helps both parties achieve an outcome that suits everyone.
What does a 10 year guarantee cover on a new house?
RICS Registered Valuers are the recommended route for an impartial, informed valuation on your commercial property. Vickery Holman has one of the largest team of RICS Registered Valuers in the South West with over 20 valuers. Our team benefit from in-depth local knowledge as well as our shared regional knowledge.
How can I get a valuation on my commercial property?
RICS Registered Valuers are the recommended route for an impartial, informed valuation on your commercial property. Vickery Holman has one of the largest team of RICS Registered Valuers in the South West with over 20 valuers. Our team benefit from in-depth local knowledge as well as our shared regional knowledge.
How can I get an estimate of maintenance costs on a property?
Our RICS qualified building surveyors can assess the condition of your property and draw up a schedule of maintenance including time and costs required. Owners or tenants can put in place a Planned Preventative Maintenance schedule, allowing them to budget and plan for ongoing maintenance.
What is an Expert Witness?
An Expert Witness is a highly experienced and qualified surveyor who can give evidence in a court or at a tribunal, on matters regarding land, property or construction. Disputes can arise during any property project and may be based around matters involving boundaries, access, planning, valuations, dilapidations or damage incurred. Vickery Holman has a team of expert witnesses who have a large area of specialisms and experience.
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