Construction Consultancy

At Curchod & Co we understand the importance of projects being assessed and managed in a responsible and efficient way. Our Project Managers have extensive experience across a broad range of projects and as such draw on these proficiencies to create a solution unique to you. Whatever the size or scale of the requirement, from new build, alterations or extension to repair or refurbishment, Curchod & Co has the expertise to assist, provide comfort and value for money.

Curchod & Co manage your property construction project throughout design to completion and our Project Managers will oversee every aspect of your project, including:

• Project Management of new buildings to alterations and extensions.
• Management and administration from start to completion.
• Co-ordination of all staff and parties involved.
• Assessment of the design process working with the client closely to ensure they understand each style and get everything they require.
• Professional advice on the building design, procurement and construction processes.
• Management and co-ordination of the professional and client teams as well as the contractors.
• Planning and programming from inception to completion.
• Monitoring of the construction phase.
• Administration of contracts including overseeing payments to contractors.

We produce Construction Designs suited to new builds, extensions, repairs and refurbishments on all building types and sizes. At Curchod & Co we provide solutions to your design requirements from Local Authority Planning and Building Regulations submissions to advice on budgeting and tendering contractors.

Our design services include:

• Advice and coordination on detailed construction plans.
• New build, extensions, repairs and refurbishment designs.
• Advise on feasibility budgeting and tendering.
• Developing the brief.
• Outline proposals and design sketches, costs and programs.
• Detailed design including drawings and specifications.
• Contract administration including contract placement, control variations to scope of works, certification of progress and final account payments, on cost accounting/reporting.
• Monitoring of works in progress with regular reports.

Our Feasibility Study provides professional advice on the viability and suitability on proposed scheme. We pride ourselves on thoroughness and undertake complete and comprehensive Feasibility Studies focused on also providing guidance on the raft of regulations and consents required.

The investigation also provides:

• An appraisal of an existing structure for potential alteration.
• Advice on budgets and timescales.
• Assistance with funding sources and yield repayments.

Our Chartered Building Surveyors are well versed with the procedures of the Party Wall etc Act 1996. We are frequently appointed as the Building Owner’s Surveyor, Adjoining Owner’s Surveyor, or as an Agreed Surveyor. As Party Wall Surveyors we work with all property owners and other professionals involved with the construction processes.

The Act affects owners, and their neighbours. It covers works to walls or structures separating buildings (including alteration, repair, raising, cutting into party walls perhaps for new beams or removal of chimney breasts), building a new boundary wall, or excavations close to a neighbour’s building (three and six metre rules apply). It applies to houses, flats, shops, offices and industrial units.

The Act provides a framework to minimise and resolve the differences that can arise between Building and Adjoining Owners. It is important to seek early advice to avoid costly delays to a project. The Act enables, rather than frustrates, building work, subject to safeguarding the rights of those depending on shared or nearby structures.

Our role as Party Wall Surveyors can involve:

• Review of proposals and advise on the application of the Party Wall etc Act 1996.
• Prepare, serve and receive Notices on behalf of owners. Assess the risks to party walls and impact to neighbouring structures from the proposals, and where possible seek methods to limit these.
• Prepare or negotiate Party Wall Awards (Agreements) to confirm the permitted works, method by which they can be carried out and minimise disturbance to the neighbour.
• Record a Condition Schedule for the neighbouring property. Inspect during the works, if required, to assess compliance with any Award or address problems that may have arisen.
• Re-inspect at the end of a project to confirm there has been no damage to the neighbour’s property.

Defect Reports are inspections and reports on a specific construction problem such as damp, structural movement or roofing etc. It is best to contact Curchod & Co immediately when you have any concerns about your property’s condition.

This service provides expert advice and investigation on:

• A detailed diagnostic inspection to identify the extent of an issue.
• Recommendations for repair or other action.
• Details on specific concerns.
• Identifying the extent of problems and remedies available.
• Recommendations for repair and reinstatements, which we can oversee.

Our Chartered Building Surveyors are pleased to offer services as expert witness. Any dispute is frustrating for the parties.  Often early involvement can lead to some negotiation and settlement before litigation is too costly.  Our remit can include building defects and workmanship, construction contract disputes, and some property valuation matters. Every dispute, or potential dispute, has unique circumstances and we are pleased to discuss whether this is a matter that fits within our experience and knowledge.

What we do at Curchod & Co:-

Act as an expert witness or single joint expert, usually on instructions of solicitors acting for a party, perhaps under a court direction

Act impartially, recognising the prime duty is to assist the court, or tribunal

Ensure compliance with Civil Procedure Rules, or other court and tribunal directions

Review evidence, documentation, including site investigations, to understand the issues

Provide reasoned professional opinion on matters within our knowledge and expertise

Offer advice and reports in anticipation of litigation to enable parties to understand the merits of any claim

Meet and hold without prejudice discussions with experts appointed by other parties to focus the areas in dispute, providing joint statements on matters agreed or not agreed

Assist the instructing parties and their solicitors to understand the range of opinion

Attend hearings to provide evidence where called to do so

Our qualified team of Management and Buildings Surveyors are experts in preparing and implementing planned schedules of maintenance to identify and prevent minor maintenance issues before they become major structural problems. Not only does this avoid unnecessary work but will help you to save money in the long term. From straightforward gutter cleaning or roof inspections to general building surveys and pest control, by keeping to a timetable of checks and remedies, your property will uphold its value to tenants.