Problem Solving
Prepared by:
INDEPENDENT SURVEYORS
Introduction
We solve property problems, giving you solutions that fit your time scale, your quality standards and your budget.
The following explains the options you have with regard to surveys for dampness primarily condensation, lateral or penetrating dampness (coming through the wall structure) and rising damp. We can carry out tests for additional dampness if so required.
Our reports have been used for legal cases, for arbitration as well as providing information and advice.
Specific Defects Report
In this report we look at one defect, ie. dampness within the ground floor of a property and identify the source. For this we utilise the experience of the surveyor, conductivity meters (often known as damp meters) and thermal imaging where appropriate and appropriate preparation to the building can be carried out. All of these are non evasive techniques.
Damp meters being used
Example of Thermal Imaging
Property Survey
This involves a survey of the entire structure where we identify rooms throughout where there are thought to be a mixture of problems. We also take into consideration the occupiers lifestyle and the sources of humidity, ie. the type and style of cooking carried out in the kitchen, the type and style of washing and hygiene care, ie. baths / showers and frequency. We can carry out all the previously mentioned tests and inspections. We also can carry out a GESPEEDY 2000 Tester, certified to ISO 9001, which does require the walls to be opened up.
Cause and Effect
Our focus is very much on the cause of the problem therefore remedying the current effect and also longer term giving a way forward to resolve any future issues.
Cost of Services
We offer two payment systems:
Specific Defects Report - £TBA
Property Survey Report - £TBA
Retained Services
We also offer retained service where surveys can be bought in batches of ten therefore costs will be considerably reduced. These are agreed on a case by case basis.
Retained Services – 100+ 1000+ Properties
By negotiation, will benefit from reduction of costs dependent upon quantity and payment system agreed. We are able to offer an overview of your entire property estate. This can be based upon elected property type survey.
We are Independent Surveyors. We are registered with the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors and our Surveyors are members of the Independent Surveyors and Vaulers Association. This has been carried out by a Building Surveyor.
If you would like any further advice on any of the issues discussed or indeed any that have not been discussed! Please do not hesitate to contact our office on 0800 298 5424.
EXAMPLES OF PROPERTY PROBLEMS
EXAMPLE ONE
Legal claim against Tenant for £30,000 to renew the roof.
Subject property
Long term dampness stagatites
Concrete slab double checked for dampness using a GANN conductivity meter
Roof thermal imaged for dampness
The landlord was proceeding with legal action against the tenant due to a defective roof requiring the replacement at a cost of 30K
We represented the client and brought common sence to the matter and avoid a legal claim
EXAMPLE TWO
Award winning Eco-houses that we were asked to thermal image
When we arrived to inspect it seemed easier to open them up. As you can see from the photos there was literally no insulation in some areas or 20-40mm in other areas where it should have been 140mm – 170mm.
Eco Houses
Missing Insulation
No Insulation
EXAMPLE THREE
Office block where the adjoining building was being demolished which was ten storeys high
This building has been overclad with a protective rain cladding where the seals if they are damaged allow water into the building. We thermal imaged the building. All the joints are OK at the moment however if the shaking vibration of demolishing next door (which is being demolished by robots that chew it to bits) causes any damage to the adjoining property we can show the schedule which confirms it was OK before.
Our building on the left hamd side (overclad)
Thermal imaging showing joints are ok at the moment
Independent Surveyors
If you truly do want an independent expert opinion from a surveyor with regard to valuations, mortgages, mortgage companies, surveys, building surveys, structural reports, engineers reports, specific defects report, structural surveys, home buyers reports or any other property matters please contact 0800 298 5424 for a surveyor to give you a call back.
Commercial Property
If you have a commercial property, whether it is freehold or leasehold then sooner or later you may get involved with dilapidation claims. You may wish to look at our Dilapidations Website at www.DilapsHelp.com and for Disputes go to our Disputes Help site www.DisputesHelp.com
We hope you found the article of use and if you have any experiences that you feel should be added to this article that would benefit others, or you feel that some of the information that we have put is wrong then please do not hesitate to contact us (we are only human).
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