Building Surveys in London

Full building survey – Edwardian House, Kent

This substantial Edwardian house was converted to three self-contained flats during the 1950s and had not been the subject of any modernisation for at least 30 years. Our client wished to return the house to a single dwelling.

They required a building survey to identify the current structural condition, the scope of structural work necessary to reinstate the property and an assessment of the potential cost of all of the work, including reinstatement to a single dwelling. Our survey identified concerns with the roof, water penetration, the services and asbestos.

Historic Wall, Kent

Collier Stevens conducted a schedule of condition report for an historic wall in Ashford, Kent.

Our client was undertaking a major commercial development and prior to commencement required a detailed record of historic structures to the perimeter of the site. We assessed the stability of the structures and prepared a detailed written and photographic record of their condition. This meant that any claim for damage on completion could be reasonably assessed.

Client / Conservatory installer dispute

A dispute over a poorly constructed and leaking conservatory led to our client taking legal action against the installers.

We were able to prepare an expert witness report identifying the shortcomings and design errors that assisted the parties in reaching an out of court settlement.

Lease of Office Premises, Kent

Collier Stevens was asked to undertake before and after schedules of condition reports for the lease of an industrial unit in Kent.

We conducted an internal and external inspection of the condition of the premises and prepared a written and photographic schedule of condition to be appended to a new fully repairing lease.

We provided an agreed record of the condition of the premises at the outset so that future dilapidation claims may be mitigated.

Police Force – disabled accessibility to first point of contact

Collier Stevens were engaged by a large Police Force to undertake an access audit of their estate. We were required to concentrate specifically on those sites where there was a first point of access to Police services, principally police stations.

Our audits were used to prioritise a programme of improvements to ensure equal access to services for all abilities wherever possible. We were subsequently retained to provide design advice where alterations were appropriate.

Dampness & Condensation, London

On behalf of tenants’ legal advisers Collier Stevens were asked to attend site, inspect the property and prepare a CPR35 compliant Expert Witness Report to assist in identifying housing disrepair liability for dampness and condensation damage. Principally due to a lack of ventilation and inadequate insulation.

First Floor Conversion Flat in a Period Building, Kent

This level 2 ISVA Homesurvey was undertaken for a client who was concerned about the general decorative and maintenance repair of the building as a whole, as well as the standard of conversion and condition relating to obligations under the lease.

Conversion of outbuilding into wheelchair accessible bathroom – Kent

We were asked by a client in Kent to provide the design and specification for the conversion of an existing outbuilding into a ground floor, wheelchair accessible bathroom, including associated alterations comprising door widening, external ramps etc. Our work included a measured survey, design drawings and specification.