The ability to understand how a building works and has been constructed is integral in being able to undertake and complete a thorough building survey of a property. The expertise of a Chartered Building Surveyor helps us to understand buildings and structures in depth. This enables a thorough property specific report to be produced that will detail how the property has been constructed, the techniques used, any defects that are apparent, and the most cost-effective methods of repair which benefits you as the Client.
NB: We do not provide Homebuyer surveys for purchasers.
Many thanks for your prompt attention to my request regarding works to our property. Work is now proceeding at a pace and my wife is already grumbling at the dirt and noise! Thank you one again. more
A Condition Survey will look into all of the individual issues, including the structure and damp. The report is usually prepared on a room by room basis and gives a full and thorough record of the building and its individual rooms. This report is of significant benefit if maintenance is planned for the building and advice is needed on where priorities should be given. The other significant time this should be used is in conjunction with a new lease as it will determine the condition of the property at the commencement of the lease. This report is also provided with plans and photographs where it is required to demonstrate an issue with the building.
The on-site recording is carried out with the use of traditional tape measures and the backing of modern lasers. This enables us to offer you a full range of services in-house which reduces time delays on projects and ensures a certainty on the quality level of the work that is undertaken. The on-site surveys can include the full measurement and recording of buildings, structures and features on a site to enable the production of a CAD drawing in a digital format if required. The recording of the buildings and features will be fully detailed and photographed to enable scaled drawings to be produced. The drawings, photographs and recording information will all be able to assist with the submission of any Statutory consents.
The Party Wall etc Act 1996 provides a framework for preventing and resolving disputes in relation to party walls, boundary walls and excavations near neighbouring buildings. The Act came into force on 1 July 1997 and applies throughout England and Wales (The Act does not apply to Scotland or Northern Ireland). A building owner proposing to start work covered by the Act must give adjoining owners notice of their intentions in the way set down in the Act. Adjoining owners can agree or disagree with what is proposed. Where they disagree, the Act provides a mechanism for resolving disputes.
The Act is separate from obtaining planning permission or building regulations approval.
If you cannot reach agreement with the Adjoining Owners, the next best thing is to agree with them on appointing what the Act calls an “Agreed Surveyor” to draw up an “Award”. The surveyor must be a person agreed between the owners to act. Alternatively, each owner can appoint a surveyor to draw up the award together. The two appointed surveyors will select a third surveyor (who would be called in only if the two appointed surveyors cannot agree or either of the owners or either surveyor calls upon the third surveyor to make an award).
The term “surveyor” under the Act can include any person who is not a party to the matter. This means that you can appoint almost anyone you like to act in this capacity. However, the person should not have already been engaged to supervise the building work. The surveyor should also have a good knowledge of construction and of procedures under the Act. You cannot however act for yourself.
The surveyor (or surveyors) will settle the matter by making an “award” (also known as a “party wall award”).
If you are not sure whether the Act applies to the work that you are planning, you should seek professional advice. PWH will be happy to provide advice generally under the Party Wall etc. Act 1996
Party Wall
This is a wall that is commonly shared between Owners.
Party Fence Wall
This is a dividing wall between the two properties that is not part of a building such as a garden wall, but it does not include a timber fence.
Party Fence Structure
This is a wider term, which could be a wall or partition or other structure separating buildings or parts of buildings approached by separate staircases or entrances such as flats.
Building Owner
This is the person or company that is proposing to undertake the works and is either the freeholder or has a lease for longer than one year.
Adjoining Owner
This is the person or company who is the freeholder or leaseholder of the adjoining property.
Party Wall Surveyor
This is the person that is appointed by the Building Owner or Adjoining Owner to resolve the dispute between the parties. (The parties being the Building Owner and Adjoining Owner)It is usual to appoint surveyors who are experienced in the workings of the Act, and professional bodies that deal with this are given in part 6 of this guide.
Line of Junction
This is simply another name for boundary. It is the meeting point or junction of land or properties in different ownerships.
The production of a full topographical survey can also be undertaken by our experienced team, using our own Total Station. We are able to survey your site or grounds and produce a digital survey drawing referenced back to Ordinance datum. This will record all of the significant features on site including buildings, footpaths, rivers and trees and is invaluable when considering existing and future uses of a site.
Covering the South West of England (primarily Devon, Cornwall & Somerset).
The majority of mortgage lenders will insist upon a Professional Consultant’s Certificate for all newly built or newly converted dwellings. The certificates can only be provided by suitably qualified consultants and our surveyors have extensive experience of inspecting new properties and conversions throughout the South West.
A Professional Consultants Certificate (PCC – formerly Architect’s Certificate) is a form that has been pre-approved by the Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML), now part of UK Finance, to certify that a consultant has monitored the construction of a property and that they will remain liable to the owner, and any lenders, for a period of six years from completion of the property. The property will be inspected during the course of construction or conversion with a minimum of five inspections taking place from :
We can provide Professional Consultant Certificate Services for new build and converted homes and in some instances are able to offer Retrospective Certificates. Our service is aimed at self-builders and small developers who do not meet the housing warranty providers’ eligibility criteria or would rather not deal with such providers. The certificates are backed by our Professional Indemnity insurance.
The effect of the PCC is to confirm that the professional consultant has visited the property at appropriate periods to check the progress of construction, conformity with drawings approved under building regulations and conformity with drawings/instructions issued under the building contract. A purely visual inspection of the work suffices. It is therefore recognised that, by their very nature, interim inspections will not reveal all defects. In addition, some certificates expressly exclude liability for poor workmanship.
It is important to note the following:
Many thanks for your prompt attention to my request regarding works to our property. Work is now proceeding at a pace and my wife is already grumbling at the dirt and noise! Thank you one again.