Building Surveying and Dilapidations

The majority of commercial property leases require that the property is returned back to the landlord, by the tenant, in good order and repair. Obligations and standards placed on a tenant to maintain a property during the course of a lease can vary widely. All leases are different therefore require to be closely scrutinised and checked by an expert. The Dilapidations assessment shows the scope of the repair to ensure compliance with lease covenants. A Terminal Dilapidations Schedule and Quantified Claim for Damages are such specialist schedules that are carried after a lease has expired. These are also useful in the form of Repair Notice where a landlord is concerned their tenant is in breach of the repairing or lease obligations. Our Chartered Building Surveyors are highly experienced, operating across diverse requirements and assessing dilapidations claims to realistic standards. This broad experience enables us to be able to act and give detail advice to either the landlord or tenant.

Whether a landlord, tenant, or freeholder of a commercial property, advice is needed as to whether a property investment is sound, or is likely to require significant maintenance. We appreciate that a clear understanding of the condition and state of your property is required and therefore perform relevant investigations and assessments. Our aim is to provide clear, concise and relevant information concerning the condition of your property by embracing efficient survey and reporting methods.

These surveys enable us to provide you with an understanding of your properties condition and maintenance requirements, we also advise you on solutions.

A Building or Condition Survey assists in determining the viability of an acquisition or investment. In some cases such documentation can be attached to new leases to offset and perhaps limit future repairing liabilities or dilapidation’s claims.

Ask to speak to one of our specialist Chartered Building Surveyors to find out more about your Survey and Condition Schedules and how we can help you.

The Building Survey (previously called a ‘Structural Survey’ and equivalent to the RICS Level 3 Home Survey Standard) is a bespoke inspection and report carried out by a Curchod & Co Chartered Building Surveyor. We adapt the service to fit the needs of our client and the property involved – it is a comprehensive report that can be adapted for all types and ages of house or flat. The inspection will be time consuming and text based reports can be lengthy. Where a buyer is considering an extension or other alterations, the potential for these can be considered.

Overview:

• A detailed inspection of all accessible property parts, including the grounds.
• Describes the construction and condition of the property.
• Describes visible defects, and potential for hidden defects.
• Comments on heating, wiring and plumbing, based on a visual appraisal.
• Recommendations for repair, refurbishment or improvement to the building.
• Consideration of future building performance and maintenance.
• Guidance on budget costs for works, and their urgency.
• Valuation advice is available for a supplementary fee.

We aim to be clear and conclusive in our advice.

In addition to providing the written report we are always happy to discuss report findings with you further.

A Building Survey is often required for:

• Larger and high value houses.
• Older and period properties, especially Edwardian, Georgian and Victorian buildings.
• Listed Buildings and non- traditional construction forms
• Houses and Flats that have been altered or extended.
• Properties known to be in need of repair and refurbishment.
• Properties with extensive outbuildings.
• Buildings where the purchaser is considering significant improvement, extension and alteration

We cover the A3, M25, M3 and adjacent areas of Surrey and North Hampshire including: Addlestone KT15, Aldershot GU11 & GU12, Ashford TW15, Bagshot GU19, Byfleet and West Byfleet KT14, Camberley GU15, Chertsey KT16, Chobham GU24, Cobham KT11, Egham TW20, Englefield Green TW20, Esher KT10, Farnborough GU14, Farnham GU10 Feltham TW14, Fleet GU51, Frimley GU16, Guildford GU1 & GU2, Hampton TW12, Hersham KT12, Knaphill GU21, Laleham TW18, Molesley KT8, New Haw, KT15, Ottershaw KT16, Pyrford GU22, Send GU23, Shepperton TW17, Staines TW18, Stanwell TW19, Sunbury On Thames TW16, Teddington TW11, Thames Ditton KT7, Thorpe TW20, Virginia Water GU25, Walton On Thames KT12, Weybridge KT13, Whitton TW2, Wraysbury TW19, Woking GU21 and GU22, Woodham KT15

The Homebuyer Report (equivalent to the RICS Level 2 Home Survey Standard) can help a prospective buyer avoid unexpected future expenses on their house or flat. Reliance on a mortgage valuation alone can be unwise. The Homebuyer service will help purchasers understand if the building can become their home. Our Chartered Building Surveyor will concentrate on matters that require urgent attention, or that could have a significant cost or effect on value. We report using our own text based template to provide advice focused on the building. The Homebuyer will be a more economic and concise report format than the Building Survey. We are here to provide advice and reassurance and can discuss our findings with you as well as providing the report.

The Homebuyer Report will include:

• A visual inspection of the accessible property parts
• Describes the construction and condition of the property
• Describes visible defects with recommendation for repair or other action
• Outlines the heating, wiring and plumbing, installations
• A condition rating focuses attention on serious matters
• Available with or without valuation advice

A Homebuyer Report is suited to:

• Moderate sized houses and flats of standard, traditional, construction
• Property thought to be in reasonable condition (it is of course our function to check this)
• Buildings that have not been significantly extended, or altered
• Property where the purchaser is not considering significant improvement, extension and alteration

We cover the A3, M25, M3 and adjacent areas of Surrey and North Hampshire including: Addlestone KT15, Aldershot GU11 & GU12, Ashford TW15, Bagshot GU19, Byfleet and West Byfleet KT14, Camberley GU15, Chertsey KT16, Chobham GU24, Cobham KT11, Egham TW20, Englefield Green TW20, Esher KT10, Farnborough GU14, Farnham GU10 Feltham TW14, Fleet GU51, Frimley GU16, Guildford GU1 & GU2, Hampton TW12, Hersham KT12, Knaphill GU21, Laleham TW18, Molesley KT8, New Haw, KT15, Ottershaw KT16, Pyrford GU22, Send GU23, Shepperton TW17, Staines TW18, Stanwell TW19, Sunbury On Thames TW16, Teddington TW11, Thames Ditton KT7, Thorpe TW20, Virginia Water GU25, Walton On Thames KT12, Weybridge KT13, Whitton TW2, Wraysbury TW19, Woking GU21 and GU22, Woodham KT15

Buildings are complex and problems sometime arise that are not easily explained. Curchod & Co’s Chartered Building Surveyors advise owners, occupiers and prospective purchasers, as to the causes of specific building issues, and how they may be overcome. We will visit your building, to investigate, diagnose and understand the full extent of the problem. In some instances we will co-ordinate our services with those of contractors who are exposing parts of a building, or specialists responsible for specific testing. Often these reports can assist owners in making claims against others, perhaps a building insurer.

We aim to provide advice on the severity of any issue and it’s consequences. Our report will discuss the options for any repair, with recommendation for the next steps to a resolution.

Building problems can be troublesome. Frequently we can provide reassurance. We will talk you through our findings and can assist with any works recommended.

Overview:

A defect report provides detailed diagnostic analysis and recommendations to resolve a building problem.
For specific issues such as cracking and movement, dampness and condensation, leaks, roof failures, timber decay and rot or woodworm.