These surveys can be carried out on individual building defects for example, damp, water ingress, cracks, movement, the construction of an extension or a conservatory etc. These are tailor made reports to identify where the defect is, why it is happening and provide remedial work required. They can also be used as CPR compliant Expert Witness reports in court where disputes have occurred.

When there is a dispute regarding the position of a boundary, this often causes difficulties between neighbours. We can be appointed by one neighbour, jointly appointed by both neighbours or through a solicitor to provide a report on determining where the physical boundary should be. This information is written into a Boundary Agreement together with a scaled plan which can be sent to the Land Registry and lodged with your deeds to prevent any future disputes arising over the same boundary. The survey can also be incorporated into a Mediation process. The agreement and plan can also be used as CPR compliant Expert Witness reports in Court where disputes have occurred.

Sometimes disputes arise that escalate to Court proceedings and as a Member of the Academy of Experts (MAE) we can act for you or be appointed jointly on behalf of both parties involved. We are experienced in acting as an Expert Witness in property defects, construction and other property related issues and providing written reports on the issues in dispute.

When a dispute arises over the value of a property at some point in the past, we are able to capture historical data and determine how much a property was worth at that time. These reports can also be used in Court proceedings when the historical value of a property is in dispute. We also carry out Market Valuations for Matrimonial/Separation disputes and Probate proceedings.

When a property owner wishes to extend or build a new property close to another or to alter or build on a party wall, then the rules of the Party Wall Act 1996 should be followed. This sometimes requires a schedule of condition to be drawn up of the adjoining property before construction starts, so that if any defects occur such as cracking, which is claimed to be due to the construction of the new building, then the Party Wall Award can determine whether the defect was in place before the construction or whether it is in fact due to the new construction. We have experience of acting as Party Wall Surveyors and can be appointed by either the adjoining owner, the building owner or by both parties as an ‘Agreed Surveyor’.

We provide a building design service and can also submit the Planning Application for the project, submission of the Building Regulations application for the technical details of the design and can provide the working drawings for the builder employed for the construction.

When a wall is to be removed that supports other parts of a property, it is often the case that a beam is required to be installed to support the construction before the wall can be removed. We can calculate the size and material required to support the remaining construction and to provide a Building Regulations submission for the approval of the Local Authority or Approved Inspector and all the details required by the builder to purchase and install the beam.