Building Surveys
It is often said that a house purchase is the biggest single financial decision a person may make in their lifetime. Which? and the Council of Mortgage Lenders recommend a comprehensive survey is carried out prior to purchase and that potential purchasers do not simply rely upon a basic valuation.
Using an independent RICS qualified Building Surveyor to undertake a survey can prove to be more cost effective than commissioning a detailed report through your lender. You also have the ability to discuss the report with our surveyors.
Beltom Surveying have a wealth of experience in this area and guarantee that a experienced Surveyor will always carry out the survey and report upon the proposed property. We pride ourselves on a prompt and professional service and provide digital copies of the reports for convenience.
Measured Surveys
Our surveyors have the technology, skills and experience to accurately carry out measured surveys of any property and prepare existing and proposed drawings, both electronically and on paper.
We pride ourselves on being able to tailor the survey and drawings to meet the individual requirements of our clients, be it for drafting layout alterations, space planning, preparing planning or building regulations.
We are highly experienced in providing a whole range of plan drawing services, from basic lease plans to full detailed designs, sections of existing and proposed buildings, which is often in conjunction with our construction project services.
Please contact us to discuss your individual requirements and find out how we can help you.
Party Wall Services
Party walls are walls that sit on the land of two or more owners and form part of the building or boundary wall. Party wall structures also cover wall or floor partitions that separate buildings owned by different owners such as flats and maisonettes. Party wall consent can also be required for loft conversions.
If you have a shared wall or adjoining wall and are carrying out building works within 3 metres of the party wall you may need a Party Wall Award. The Party Wall Act is separate from obtaining planning permission or building regulations approval.
The Party wall Act protects the interests of all owners, it also prevents and resolves disputes that may arise in relation to party and boundary walls as well as excavations.
In an effort to assist customers in understanding Party Wall Awards, we offer free party wall advice. At Beltom Surveying, we know that party wall matters can often be complicated and confusing.
If you have party wall questions and would like to discuss them with us, we offer 20 minutes free of charge. This is an impartial service with no strings attached. Please contact us to discuss your individual requirements and find out how we can help you.
Schedule of Dilapidations
Dilapidations are breaches of leases due to the condition of the property being leased, either during or at the end of the lease period. This may result from mistreatment of the property or poor or absent maintenance or repairs that are required by the lease.
A schedule of dilapidations will generally be prepared by the landlord or their surveyor, scheduling outstanding reinstatement, repair, decorations and other legal compliance items. It may also identify the clauses of the lease that may have been breached, suggest appropriate remedial works and, in some cases, the estimated cost of those works. If the lease has expired, these costs may include loss of rent during the period when repairs are being carried out.
Planning & Building Regulations
Planning permission is the granting of permission to proceed with a proposed development. Responsibility for granting permission generally lies with local planning authorities (usually the planning department of the district or borough council). All developments require planning permission, other than ‘permitted developments’, which are considered to have insignificant impact.
The building regulations set out requirements for specific aspects of building design and construction. In England, the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) is responsible for setting the building regulations. The regulations apply to most new buildings and many alterations to existing buildings, and relate to aspects of building design and construction such as; fire safety, structure, accessibility, ventilation, drainage and so on. A series of approved documents provide general guidance about common situations in building design and construction and how they can comply with the building regulations.
Architectural Design & Space Planning
We undertake a wealth of residential and commercial projects for both individuals and developers. Our projects range from a simple extensions to the large scale re-modelling of an existing house and new build single properties. We offer a tailored service, from concept through to detailed design and delivery, adapted to suit each individual project and brief.
Defects Diagnostics
Defect Diagnosis involves the analysis of a buildings construction to understand causes of failure or reduction in performance to enable formulation of appropriate repair measures.
Schedule of Conditions
A schedule of condition (SOC) is a factual record of the condition of a property, normally prepared for legal or contractual reasons. Schedules of condition can be prepared for either residential or commercial buildings.
They create a complete record of the condition of the property on a particular date that can be used as a benchmark against which its condition can be assessed in the future and any changes identified.
Schedules of condition may be prepared under the instruction of a landlord, a tenant, an employer, a contractor, or a neighbour. Appointing an independent expert to prepare a schedule of condition should help to give it greater weight if there are subsequent claims or negotiations. It may be beneficial to seek agreement of the other party that the schedule is a fair reflection of the condition of the property when it is prepared.
It is important to recognise that identifying a change in the condition of a property does not necessarily attribute blame for that change.
Listed & Heritage approval
Listed buildings are known for their special architectural or historic interest in a national context. Listed buildings have extra legal protection within the planning system and much of the building works that wouldn’t require consent on a normal building will require consent with a listed status.
There are three categories of a listed building, based on their significance: Grade I buildings are of exceptional interest and only 2.5% of listed buildings are Grade I, Grade II* buildings are particularly important buildings of more than special interest and just 5.5% of listed buildings are Grade II*, Grade II buildings are of special interest and the vast majority, 92%, of all listed buildings, fall into this. The building listings are graded by Historic England to give special protection due to their historic or architectural interest. The listings are varied and range from historic mansions to telephone boxes and milestones.
It is important to have a specialist surveyor undertake an inspection of these types as they require in-depth knowledge of traditional building materials, construction techniques and building history. If you are intending to do any works to a listed building, inside or outside, including the buildings curtilage you will probably need to apply for Listed Building Consent. Beltom Surveying have many years’ experience in preparing and submitting Planning application for Listed and buildings that fall within a Conservation Area. In addition we often prepare planning statements or impact assessments which will assist you with achieving your development and alteration ambitions.
Insurance Reinstatements
Beltom Surveying specialise in the repair and reinstatement of water and fire damaged properties. Whether the entire property has been destroyed, or a small fire has caused smoke damage, the complications in dealing with an insurance claim can be daunting and overwhelming. Beltom Surveying has dealt with numerous insurance damage claims, ranging from small residential claims, large commercial properties, storage warehouses, through to major total loss situations.
From visiting site, organising the first aid works, compiling schedules of repair, estimating costs and tendering the works through to project managing the reinstatement, liaising with the client, their Loss Adjustor and the insurance company we will ensure the entire process is undertaken diligently
Access Audits
An access audit is a form of inspection that can be used to assess the ease of access to, and ease of use of; an environment (such as a building or landscape), a service, or a facility, by people with a range of access impairments.
This can help:
- Verify compliance with the Equality Act.
- Verify compliance with Part M of the building regulations.
- Prepare applications for funding, planning permission or building regulations approval.
- Reduce the likelihood of claims of discrimination.
- Identify potential difficulties.
- Identify reasonable changes that could be made.
- Assess and justify proposed changes.
- Make recommendations for training, organisational changes, minor works, adaptations and major works that might be undertaken.
- Develop an access strategy or access plan.
Carrying out an access audit is a complex, specialist function that may benefit from the appointment of an experienced consultant such as a specialist architect or an access consultant. It can be formal or informal process, and can involve, information gathering, surveys, consultations, reports and recommendations.
Landlord Consent / Licence to Alter
Licence to Alter is the term given to the consent that a leaseholder requires before making certain alterations to a leasehold property. It is a formal, legal document that sets out the terms and conditions under which the alterations may be carried out. It ensures that no unexpected complications or conflicts will arise as a result of the work.
Drone Inspections
Drone surveys are a faster, safer and more cost-efficient way to survey at height. Sometimes referred to as aerial surveys, UAS (Unmanned Aerial System) surveys, or UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) surveys, drone surveys are an increasingly popular method of surveying form the air.
For roof inspections, bridge or large building surveys, drones are fast becoming the sensible choice for engineers, construction and asset managers because they offer great advantages in safety and speed of access.
