Understanding What a Level 2 Survey Really Is
Buying a home is one of the biggest financial decisions most people make, and understanding the condition of the property is essential before you...
Browse through our blog posts for the latest industry news, discover more about surveying and find out what the Harrison Clarke team have been up to.
Buying a home is one of the biggest financial decisions most people make, and understanding the condition of the property is essential before you commit. A Level 2 survey offers reassurance by providing a clear overview of the building’s condition without going into the depth of a more detailed inspection. This survey suits properties in […]
Dilapidations often feel like something that only needs attention at the very end of a commercial lease. Many tenants treat it as a distant worry, something to deal with when they hand the building back. But leaving dilapidations until the final months is one of the main reasons disputes happen and why costs can escalate […]
Cracks are one of the most common concerns for homeowners. They can appear suddenly or develop slowly over time, and they often raise the same questions: what caused them, are they serious, and what should be done about them? Although cracks can look alarming, they are not always evidence of structural issues. Many cracks are […]
When building work could affect a shared wall or a neighbour’s property, the law requires the building owner to serve a party wall notice. This formal document gives the neighbour a chance to agree or disagree with the proposed work, and their response determines what happens next. Whether they consent, dissent and use an agreed […]
When people think about building surveys, they often imagine a report focused on walls, roofs, and cracks. But a good building survey does far more than that. It plays a vital role in helping property owners, landlords, and businesses meet their health and safety obligations. Failing to understand how a building performs is not just […]
Disputes in construction aren’t new. Before the 1990s, if two parties fell out over delays, payments, design changes or anything really that could be discussed and agreed, there were only two real options — go to court or head into arbitration. Both were expensive, time-consuming, and adversarial. Projects stalled. Cash flow dried up. Relationships broke […]
Unfortunately, one of the most common issues we see in the construction industry today is disputes over building work. Disagreements between the different parties involved in the project, from contractors and subcontractors, clients, architects and engineers. The disputes that come up during building work can be complex and can be about fairly important things. Delays, […]
The site’s quiet for the first time in months. Tools packed away. Snag lists nearly done. The end is in sight. But before anyone celebrates, there’s one final hurdle to clear — and it’s often the most misunderstood step of all: Practical Completion. For something that decides when a project is officially “finished”, Practical Completion […]
In this video, we’re going to explore expert determination—a specialist form of alternative dispute resolution used widely in construction and property. We’ll look specifically at the role of the building surveyor as the appointed expert, how the process works, and the advantages and disadvantages compared to other ADR methods like mediation, adjudication, and arbitration. What […]
You’ve got a vision for your dream extension. Maybe it’s opening up your kitchen into the garden. Maybe it’s turning your loft into a new bedroom. You’ve planned it for months, saved the money, and even found a builder you trust. The excitement builds — until someone mentions planning permission, party wall notices, or build […]
If you’ve ever searched online for a surveyor, you’ll know how confusing it can be. One site talksabout valuations. Another talks about building surveys. Others mention party walls, development advice, or project management. At first glance, it can feel like every surveyor does something different — and, in truth, they do. Surveying is a broad […]
Every construction project starts with optimism. The plans look solid, the numbers add up, and the programme feels achievable. But somewhere between breaking ground and completion, something always shifts. Ground conditions surprise you. Regulations change. Prices move. That’s why every well-run project needs one thing above all else — a contingency. What Is a Contingency […]
Buying a home is one of the biggest financial decisions most people make, and understanding the condition of the property is essential before you...
Dilapidations often feel like something that only needs attention at the very end of a commercial lease. Many tenants treat it as a distant...
Cracks are one of the most common concerns for homeowners. They can appear suddenly or develop slowly over time, and they often raise the...
When building work could affect a shared wall or a neighbour’s property, the law requires the building owner to serve a party wall notice....
When people think about building surveys, they often imagine a report focused on walls, roofs, and cracks. But a good building survey does far...
Disputes in construction aren’t new. Before the 1990s, if two parties fell out over delays, payments, design changes or anything really that could be...
Unfortunately, one of the most common issues we see in the construction industry today is disputes over building work. Disagreements between the different parties...
The site’s quiet for the first time in months. Tools packed away. Snag lists nearly done. The end is in sight. But before anyone...
In this video, we’re going to explore expert determination—a specialist form of alternative dispute resolution used widely in construction and property. We’ll look specifically...
You’ve got a vision for your dream extension. Maybe it’s opening up your kitchen into the garden. Maybe it’s turning your loft into a...
If you’ve ever searched online for a surveyor, you’ll know how confusing it can be. One site talksabout valuations. Another talks about building surveys....
Every construction project starts with optimism. The plans look solid, the numbers add up, and the programme feels achievable. But somewhere between breaking ground...
Buying a Victorian or Edwardian home can feel like stepping into history. These properties exude charm with their high ceilings, elegant fireplaces, detailed brickwork,...
Imagine this. You crash a Fiat Punto. The garage takes a look and tells you the repairs will cost £12,000. Naturally, you think that...
In 2020, a two-year-old boy named Awaab sadly died in the social housing flat he shared with his family, following long-term exposure to damp...
Buying a home is exciting. You have found the property, agreed a price, and can already picture moving in. It is easy to think...
Every successful project begins long before anyone steps on site. It starts with numbers — the budget that turns drawings into reality. A good...
Producing a home survey isn’t an easy task for a surveyor. It takes a lot of knowledge and skill, not to mention experience and...
Buying a home is one of the biggest financial decisions you will ever make. It can be exciting, but also stressful. What looks perfect...
Have you received a ‘Party Wall’ letter through your door? Sadly, it’s not a party invite, and there’s no cake on offer. It’s a...
You notice a hairline crack running across the wall. Then a door that used to close smoothly suddenly sticks. A few weeks later, the...
Do you get on with your neighbours? Do you talk to them regularly, or just nod and smile when you see them in the...
Whether you’re a commercial landlord or a tenant, a schedule of dilapidations is an absolute must. Landlords can use schedules of dilapidations to demand...
Gather in folks, who’s ready for a story? Today, rather than tell you about an aspect of surveying, we thought we would share a...
Did you know that before we write a single word of your RICS Level 3 survey, the document already contains over 5,000 words of...
If you work in the construction industry, you must understand the tendering process. It’s a critical part of making sure you’re getting the best...
As surveyors, we often get enquiries from building owners saying, ‘I need a party wall agreement, can you help?’ The answer to that is...
There’s something that’s been on our mind a lot lately. Why is it that so many industries have been evolving at such a rapid...
You’re planning a building project, and it’s all going well. Or maybe your neighbour is sharing their extension plans with you, and you’re happily...
If you’re a landlord or a tenant in a commercial lease arrangement, then the chances are you’ll need to deal with dilapidations. This is...
Is your business about to enter into a new commercial lease? Let us ask you a question. Do you actually understand what your lease...
Renovations can be incredibly exciting projects. You get to take your home (or business property) and transform it into something new, adding value and...
Are you thinking about a commercial property? Or maybe you’re already in the middle of negotiations and feeling a bit lost in the terminology....
Before we built houses out of bricks and mortar, we built them out of timber. In fact, we still do! Timber frame buildings have...
If you’re looking to buy a new property in Southampton, it’s really important that you fully understand what you’re buying. And make sure you’re...