The Difference Between Planning Permission & Building Control
Properties are a significant investment – probably the biggest you’ll make. And unlike other investments, they also offer the opportunity to increase their value...
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Properties are a significant investment – probably the biggest you’ll make. And unlike other investments, they also offer the opportunity to increase their value by improving or expanding them. You can make internal improvements and improve the space. You can transform unused spaces by adding extensions or adjusting the internal layout. But if you don’t […]
Let’s say you’re renovating a property. Maybe you own the home, manage the building, or you just bought it to fix it up. You, or a contractor, are ready to work. You pull back a ceiling tile or start stripping out some walls, and you hear a question that no one really wants to hear; […]
Whether you’re building an extension, converting your loft or doing structural alterations, you need to understand your obligations under the Party Wall etc Act 1996. It’s one of those areas that can quietly derail your project if you’re not properly prepared. A lot of homeowners don’t realise just how long the party wall process can […]
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, […]
Unexpected repairs. Costly downtime. Safety concerns. If you’re a property owner or manager, these are very familiar headaches for you! Luckily, there’s a simple solution to all of them: a planned preventative maintenance survey, also known as a PPM survey. Today, we’ll be diving into what they are, why you need them, and how they […]
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 pace, but construction is lagging behind? We’ve gone from landlines to smartphones, post to instant messaging, and taxis to ride sharing. But what about construction? In so many ways, it still […]
Adding an outbuilding to your property can be a great way to add extra space, and get some extra functionality too. Especially when more people are working from home than ever before, and looking for better spaces to work in. As surveyors, we’ve seen some truly great outbuildings. We’ve also seen some not-so-great, and some […]
When you’re about to buy a home, one of the big things you need to do is look for a surveyor. It’s easy to be swayed by flashy marketing and low prices, thinking you’re getting a great deal. Unfortunately, , we see purchasers being burnt time and time again by poor quality and frankly inadequate […]
As Chartered Building Surveyors, we often see firsthand just how much fire safety regulations impact homes and businesses, and we want to share that knowledge with you. From the history of fire safety in the UK and recent updates to regulations. As well as what you as a homeowner or a business owner need to […]
If you’re building a new property, renovating, or planning a home improvement, it’s important to know the legal elements. In the UK, building regulations ensure that structures are safe, sustainable, and suitable for the people who use them. They come from the Building Act 1984, and cover everything from fire safety to energy efficiency. If […]
As surveyors, we often get enquiries from building owners saying, ‘I need a party wall agreement, can you help?’ The answer to that is yet! But first, let’s clarify a few things. Surveyors are the ones who prepare that ‘agreement’, which is formally known as a Party Wall Award. A single surveyor can prepare it […]
It’s a homeowner’s worst nightmare. You look at your walls one day and see cracks that weren’t there before. You tell yourself it’s the house ‘settling’, but in the back of your mind there’s one word going around – subsidence. But what exactly is subsidence? What causes it, and what should you do if you […]
Properties are a significant investment – probably the biggest you’ll make. And unlike other investments, they also offer the opportunity to increase their value...
Let’s say you’re renovating a property. Maybe you own the home, manage the building, or you just bought it to fix it up. You,...
Whether you’re building an extension, converting your loft or doing structural alterations, you need to understand your obligations under the Party Wall etc Act...
Unfortunately, one of the most common issues we see in the construction industry today is disputes over building work. Disagreements between the different parties...
Unexpected repairs. Costly downtime. Safety concerns. If you’re a property owner or manager, these are very familiar headaches for you! Luckily, there’s a simple...
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...
Adding an outbuilding to your property can be a great way to add extra space, and get some extra functionality too. Especially when more...
When you’re about to buy a home, one of the big things you need to do is look for a surveyor. It’s easy to...
As Chartered Building Surveyors, we often see firsthand just how much fire safety regulations impact homes and businesses, and we want to share that...
If you’re building a new property, renovating, or planning a home improvement, it’s important to know the legal elements. In the UK, building regulations...
As surveyors, we often get enquiries from building owners saying, ‘I need a party wall agreement, can you help?’ The answer to that is...
It’s a homeowner’s worst nightmare. You look at your walls one day and see cracks that weren’t there before. You tell yourself it’s the...
Buying a house can be a very expensive process. Most people need to save up a large amount for a deposit, and on top...
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...
You’ve put an offer in on a flat, and you’ve just got the call to say it was accepted. Yay! Celebrations all round. You’ve...
People often describe buying a home as the biggest purchase you’ll ever make in your life. So, it’s not surprising that many buyers are...
If you have an older property with masonry walls, it’s likely that a surveyor will recommend a wall tie survey. They do this for...
Our specialist Party Wall team of chartered surveyors at Southampton-based Harrison Clarke helps clients with Party Wall matters every day. In this article, we...
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...
We talk a lot about the Party Wall Act, and when building owners need to provide notice to their neighbours under this slightly complex...
Chimneys come in all shapes and sizes. From simple flues to just get smoke away from log-burning stoves, to beautiful ornate features topping off...
When you’re planning out works on your home, one of the big things you’ll want to know is how much it will cost. After...
When you’re carrying out building work on your property, there are likely times when you need access to areas that are usually out of...
In the UK we have a huge variety of native wildlife, from the biggest (which is a red deer) to the smallest insects. It’s...
When it comes to party wall issues, the Act is pretty clear about who is allowed to do what. Specifically, the building owner carrying...
Let’s face it, the surveying world is full of acronyms, and we absolutely love using them! It’s mostly because a lot of the things...
In all our years of surveying, there is one thing that every single client we’ve worked with has talked about as a priority –...
In the last few months there has been a lot of information, updates, and talk in the news about spray foam insulation. The government...
When we work with clients whose works are affected by the Party Wall etc Act 1996, they’re usually not too happy about the potential...
When it comes to construction works, there’s a long list of regulations you need to follow. Honestly, it can get a little confusing trying...
Over the last few years, there has been a definite shift in buying culture. Consumers are now looking to support their local businesses, choosing...
When you’re doing works on your residential property, there are a lot of moving parts in the equation. Many of them are simple tasks...
What does it mean and what do I do about it? The first thing you need to do is not panic! There are numerous...
As the milder weather of autumn fades and the cold snaps of winter make themselves at home, it’s pretty common to see more issues...
Hello, and welcome to another blog about The Party Wall Act! It’s something we come across a lot as Chartered Surveyors, and a lot...
