Building Reports and Assessments
As well as surveys for buyers and tenants, we prepare reports for building owners, landlords, managing agents and businesses who need clear advice on a specific building, a specific problem or future costs.
Reinstatement Cost Assessments
A reinstatement cost assessment calculates what it would cost to rebuild a property if it were destroyed, so that the building can be insured for the right amount. Under-insurance can mean a reduced payout on a claim, and over-insurance means paying higher premiums than necessary.
We have carried out reinstatement cost assessments on a wide range of buildings, from single houses to mixed-use sites with flats, offices, retail and leisure buildings, and previously assessed the full property portfolio of a local authority.
Planned Preventative Maintenance Schedules
A planned maintenance schedule sets out the current condition of a building and the work likely to be needed over the next 5 to 10 years, with estimated costs. It allows owners and managing agents to set budgets and service charges, programme works in a sensible order and reduce the amount of reactive repair.
We recently prepared a maintenance schedule for a residential block of flats in Cowes, which identified roof recovering and render repairs as urgent priorities and set out how to protect the building and limit future costs over the following 10 years.
Building Defect Assessments
Where there is a specific problem, such as cracking, damp or a failing roof, a defect assessment looks at that issue in detail. We identify the likely cause, the work needed now and in the short term, and the options for a longer-term repair, with budget costs.
On a recent assessment of cracked and loose render on a block of flats, we identified early wall tie failure and deteriorating concrete lintels, and gave the client phased repair advice to limit the immediate cost.
Drone Roof Surveys
We can inspect roofs, chimneys, gutters, fascias and upper walls by drone, without the cost of scaffolding or access equipment. The survey is carried out by Joel as a chartered building surveyor, so the images are assessed for defects rather than simply recorded.
Residential Purchases
If you are buying a house or flat, see our RICS Home Surveys.