CYRIL ORCHARD GROUP
Chartered Surveyors & Construction Consultants
Folkestone Office: 01303851000
Telford Office: 01952608445
Regulated by the RICS
BUILDING SURVEYING SERVICES
Building Condition Surveys
A building condition survey is an in depth visual survey of a building both externally and internal designed to indicate the present conditions and highlight any work that may be required. The report will indicate the areas of the building that need attention including photographic record and estimated costs of remedial work required. The survey report will cover the following:
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Areas of Movement
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The Structural Condition of the Building
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Timber Defects
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Dampness
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Condensation
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Insulation
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Roof Structure
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External Walls
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Windows
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Doors
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Services (Gas, Electricity, Water, Drainage, Heating)
Where the surveyor considers a specialist consultant structural engineer, electrical and mechanical consultant is required recommendations will be given to the area of concern and the type of consultant to be engaged.
A condition survey will give the prospective purchaser an in depth view of the costs they may have to bear and whether proceeding with a purchase is viable. Also an existing owner will be able to gauge the extent of maintenance costs which can be built into the properties asset management plan to ensure the necessary finances are available.
Cyril Orchard Group can provide services for all types of buildings both commercial and residential.
Building Regulations Packages and Working Drawings.
Cyril Orchard Group has the personnel with technical/construction knowledge to provide construction drawings suitable for building regulation applications. We are able to liaise and organise additional appointments on behalf of our clients for structural/civil engineers, mechanical and electrical consultants to ensure all aspects of building regulations are complied with.
Cyril Orchard Group can provide a full package of construction drawings, engineering, mechanical and electrical designs to enable the client to proceed on site with their scheme.
Computer Aided Design
(CAD) Drafting
What is Computer-Aided Design?
Computer-aided design (CAD) is the use of computers (or workstations) to aid in the creation, modification, analysis, or optimisation of a design. CAD software is used to increase the productivity of the designer, improve the quality of design, improve communications through documentation to allow onsite construction to be as efficient as possible. CAD drawings are an electronic record which gives base drawings for future design work as well as being a record of the existing building.
At Cyril Orchard Group we can produce drawings prepared on the current CAD programmes for surveying, planning and construction purposes.
Construction Supervision
Where the client requires their projects to have a full service from inception to completion on site Cyril Orchard Group can provide this service. In conjuction with our Quantity Surveyors we can prepare Bills of Quantities/specifications, tender documentation, obtain tenders from contractors, appoint contractors on behalf of the clients and oversee the entire construction phase to completion.
Full Measured Building Surveys
At Cyril Orchard Group we can carry out dimensional surveys of buildings for use with planning and building regulation applications and for construction purposes.
Our service also includes for arranging for more details dimensional surveys and topographical surveys where this is required for larger construction projects the company is overseeing. Cyril Orchard Group can also offer this service for clients who require existing building/land plans.
Full Planning & Listed Building Consent Applications
Cyril Orchard Group can provide a full service for submission of planning applications including drawings, design & access statements liaison with the planning authority and provision of special surveys/reports to obtain planning consent.
As mentioned above where required we can arrange for special surveys on behalf of the client such as bat surveys, land constructions and flood risk assessments.
Party Wall Surveys
If you are considering constructing an extension or building a new garden wall between your property and your neighbours property or wishing to take down or raising a party wall, excavating near your neighbours structure or perhaps you are thinking of carrying out roof works which may necessitate the insertion of steel beams into the party wall to obtain additional support, all of these will require the correct notices to be served upon your neighbour, without them your neighbour can stop your works causing you a lot of unnecessary expense and problems.
The Party Wall Agreement process is a legal procedure that needs to be invoked before a building owner (the person undertaking the construction works to their property) commence their proposed work on or near a party wall.
Cyril Orchard Group can assist you with an initial discussion to establish whether you intend carrying out works to your property or if your neighbour has served Party Wall Notice upon you for works they intend to carry out.
We can then ensure that all appropriate notices are served, designs are correctly considered, the appropriate Schedule of Condition are produced and all necessary duties are discharged by both the building owner or adjoining owner, depending upon our appointment.
Schedule of Dilapidations
Landlords of commercial properties will need to ensure their tenants are legally liable to cover the costs of any damage caused to the property during their tenancy. Any required works for which the tenant is responsible are referred to as dilapidations.
Prior to the lease start date, they should retain an RICS Chartered Surveyor to carry out a Schedule of Condition, which details the current condition of the property. At the end of the tenancy, they may want to obtain another dilapidation survey to find out whether their tenant has caused any damage or made alterations which need reinstating.
Similarly, if you’re a tenant that’s been issued with a Schedule of Dilapidations (the document outlining the works you’re responsible for), you can retain a Chartered Surveyor to perform a dilapidation survey if you feel the claims are unfair.
At Cyril Orchard Group, we’re a team of independent and impartial RICS surveyors that can carry out surveys on behalf of landlords and tenants of commercial properties. Below, we’ll detail what a dilapidation survey is and the benefits of obtaining one. If you have any questions, need advice or want to book a dilapidation survey, don’t hesitate to contact us.