Browse through our blog posts for the latest industry news, discover more about surveying, Chartered Surveying guides and find out what the Harrison Clarke team have been up to.
Trees can add enormous value to a property. They bring shade, character, and a sense of established landscape that many homeowners love. But trees close to buildings can also present real risks, some obvious and some much harder to spot. For homeowners, landlords, and developers, understanding how trees interact with buildings is essential for keeping […]
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 […]
