G. M. B R O W N
Building Surveying
Services
Contract Administration
I provide advice and services over a wide range of sectors. Services range from consultation on repairs and redecoration, maintenance of your properties and full new build.
I typically undertake site surveys in order to report to you at feasibility stage. This progresses to the drafting of thorough specifications of work for going out to competitive tender. I can advise on procurement, selection of suitable contractors for individual projects report of tendering results and talk you through recommendations as to how best to proceed.
Throughout building projects I consistently provide Clients with all required documentation following on from regular on site project monitoring and chaired site meetings. On completion, all works are inspected prior to any signing off.
I am well versed in providing contract administration services for smaller projects through to project management services for larger developments. From new build to historic and protected structures. I will address cost programmes and I am experienced in liaising with architects, planning officers and building control.
Dilapidations
I can act for you, whether as Landlord or as Tenant in the preparation of schedules of dilapidations, dealing with repairing covenant issues, review and response to received schedules and negotiation of claims through to resolution.
In respect of either residential or commercial property, dilapidations can often be a complex area of law. The obligations for repairs, decoration and reinstatement are defined in the lease or tenancy agreement, in schedules of condition, in license for alteration as well as by statute. I will evaluate any breaches, the costs of repair, heads of terms and outline the liabilities of the tenant and the landlord.
Building Surveys
Party Wall Matters
Schedules of Condition
Health & Safety
Licence for Alterations
P.P.M. Reports
If you are buying, selling, developing or occupying a property, I can undertake building surveys (Types I, II & III), prepare due diligence reports, assess and advise on condition and any repairs required.
I can help identify defects and, if found, advise you on your options, with associated costs. I will take you through the process to ensure you are comfortable and advised at every step through to completion.
Since 2002, I have been a member of the P&T Club, an organisation for experts on party wall matters. Sometimes, work undertaken by you or your neighbour will require notifiable works under the Land and Conveyancing Law Reform Act 2009. In such cases, I am on hand to offer expert impartial advice in dealing with such matters.
I am a specialist in party wall legislation with a long history of acting on behalf of building owners and adjoining owners. Works may vary from extensions and/or excavations adjacent to your property, basement adaptations, cutting into and raising existing party walls etc. My services include serving notices, preparing Awards, scaffold and oversail licences, boundary disputes, easements and neighbourly matters.
I can provide a written and/or photographic record of condition for your property in the form of a detailed Schedule of Condition. Schedules are often produced for inclusion with lease agreements in order to protect both parties at lease end. Schedules are also recommended for inclusion to Party wall agreements and to protect adjoining property prior to works being undertaken.
In respect of the works that you undertake to your properties, some projects will be subject to the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Construction) Regulations 2013. I am a qualified and experienced surveyor in order to undertake the Project Supervisor Design Process (PSDP) role in construction projects, under regulation 11, to protect your interests.
Once I receive an appointment, I get involved at the very outset, reviewing the specification proposals and identifying risk inherent to a building project. If required, I will assist in the preparation of the written notice (AF. 1) to the HAS under Regulation 10. I attend site and assess what I perceive as the risks that the project will encounter, formulate a Safety and Health Plan to be issued to all tendering contractors. This enables them take risk aspects into consideration and budget for protection and welfare within their tenders.
In response to my Safety and Health Plan, I will review the appointed contractor’s Health and Safety Plan for comment. I will liaise with contractors and agree suitable procedures to be adhered to throughout the project, updating the file as required, making it available for inspection throughout the contract and ready for final presentation on completion of the works.
On receipt of an application to alter a leased property, I am here to help Landlord's and Management Companies by reviewing of lessee's plans to modify their properties and provide you and your solicitors with advice and guidance from a building surveyor's perspective. I will offer advice as to what is reasonable under the lease and what best to protect and conserve in your asset.
Throughout the course of my involvement I review not only the projects effect on the value of the building as a whole but also how a lessess's modifications will affect your continuing maintenance obligations and costs. I will keep you updated as to what levels of insurance their appointed contractors hold, compliance with the appropriate Health & Safety issues, The applicant's progress with statutory applications and advise on any reinstatement clauses that should be agreed and formalised, prior to any licence being granted.
On completion of an application, I will revisit the property to ensure that the Tenant has stuck to any agreement and that no unlicensed alterations have been incorporated during the works. If satisfactory, I will advise on the projects's sign off.
I undertake a wide range of Planned Preventative Maintenance (PPM) reports for clients to allow them to programme as to when maintenance work should take place and assess budgets for their buildings maintenance. I review the leases in place then undertake a full on-site survey of the subject properties.
I provide you with a comprehensive document detailing recommendations on aspects of building maintenance obligations over periods of five or ten years. My reports document all building components that require regular maintenance, repair and decoration. I provide a list as to when works should be programmed and provide estimated costs in order to budget.
Once in place, I am often invited back by clients to review their historic plans, to update them when necessary in light of building costs fluctuations.
These reports also assist in liaising with your leaseholders, so that they too are prepared for forthcoming costs.
Registered Company: 675315
SCSI Membership No.: 10429
RICS Membership No.: 0857522