Level 2 Vs Level 3 Surveys: What You Need to Know!
At Harrison Clarke, we specialise in providing high quality and thorough surveys, giving our clients clear and comprehensive reports. The question we are asked...
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.
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 standard content? And when we do start writing, we can sometimes hit over 10,000 words on some properties? That means that your level 3 survey could be longer than many university […]
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 value for money and securing the best contracts. If you’re doing work on your own property then you need to understand it too, since it will give you the confidence that […]
As surveyors, we often get enquiries from building owners saying, ‘I need a party wall agreement, can you help?’ The answer to that is yes! 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 […]
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 […]
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 nodding along and asking questions. When the term ‘party wall surveyor’ is thrown into the mix. You pause. Do you actually need one? When should you hire one? And what does […]
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 usually a result of the tenant’s failure to adhere to their lease clauses, and is used to protect the value of the landlord’s asset. Usually, a landlord will instruct their surveyor […]
Is your business about to enter into a new commercial lease? Let us ask you a question. Do you actually understand what your lease means, or its implications over the course of the lease? After all, getting it wrong could cost your business tens of thousands of pounds. You can easily get swept up in […]
Renovations can be incredibly exciting projects. You get to take your home (or business property) and transform it into something new, adding value and utility at the same time. Whether it’s a light refurbishment or a full-scale overhaul, the results can be fantastic, and it’s tempting to jump in with both feet and get going. […]
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. Just one of the phrases you’ve probably come across is the ‘photographic schedule of condition’. Today, we’re going to explain what it is, and whether you really need one for a […]
Before we built houses out of bricks and mortar, we built them out of timber. In fact, we still do! Timber frame buildings have been around for centuries and are still going strong today. Whether it’s a Tudor cottage with an oak frame and infill panels, or a modern new build. One of the things […]
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 not spending hundreds of thousands of points on a nightmarish money pit! Luckily, there are some great companies in Southampton that can help you make sure that what you’re buying won’t […]
Are you buying your first property? Does it feel like you don’t really know what happens next, or what you’re supposed to do? Maybe you’ve been told you should get a survey. But you don’t really know what one is or what it involves. It’s no surprise, the UK house-buying process can be confusing at […]
At Harrison Clarke, we specialise in providing high quality and thorough surveys, giving our clients clear and comprehensive reports. The question we are asked...
Are all surveyors created equal? Do they all do the same things? And what’s all of this Chartered Surveyor business? As if getting a...
Surveys are more than just a one-trick pony. While most people understand that a survey will find defects in a property before you buy...
No matter how much you plan, prepare and assess risks, any project can still experience delays. There is always a chance of something unexpected...
If you have a passion for property, land and the built environment, then a career as a chartered building surveyor might be just for...
How to create and serve a valid party wall notice today we’re going to walk you through how to draft and serve a valid...
When you’re buying a new home, you have a lot of decisions to make. How many bedrooms do you need? Where do you buy?...
When surveying a house, there are a lot of things you’re supposed to look for. Some of those things could be causing problems already...
Our team of specialist dilapidations surveyors at Harrison Clarke is often asked, “How quickly can I settle my dilapidations claim?” In this article, we...
Is your neighbour about to start construction works to build a nice new extension, or are you a building owner planning to transform your...
Damp is possibly one of the most annoying issues a homeowner can face. It drives up your heating costs trying to keep it away,...
When you’re talking to a surveyor, you probably aren’t expecting a science lesson. But here we are! This week’s topic is radon. What it...
If you’ve ever been involved in a property dispute, you know how crucial it is to have the right information on your side. Surveyors...
If someone is overseeing building works under a formal contract, one of their key roles is to make sure that the works are properly...
In 2019, a survey by mortgage broker John Charcol found that 8 out of 10 property purchases go ahead without a formal survey. Now,...
When landlords let out commercial premises, they tend to prefer open-plan premises. Not only does this make the property look bigger, it allows prospective...
If you’ve decided to remove spray foam insulation from your home, then this article is for you. Maybe you’re concerned about condensation issues and...
When you’re having building or refurbishment work done, one of the most important things is to make sure you have the right level of...
When you’re buying your first house (or second for that matter), you’re full of excitement and anticipation, thinking about moving day, furniture and logistics....
Buying a property isn’t something you do very often. Well, most people don’t anyway! It’s one of the most expensive purchases you’ll make, and...
When we’re asked to do surveys, most of them are carried out on properties that were built in the Victorian era, right up to...
I had planned to write another blog post today. However, in the last 24 hours the same issue has come up twice, and every...
Every now and then someone will come to us with a tricky situation. They’re in the middle of dealing with party wall matters, and...
In any kind of property transaction, there will be a team of advisers and experts working to de-risk your purchase. These experts can be...
Sometimes you don’t want to move house. Sometimes, you just need to tweak what’s already there a bit, to make it perfectly fit your...
If you’re a business with a leased premises, you may not know that you face some hidden risks. In fact, you might not be...
Picture the scene. You’re planning to extend your home. You’ve done all of the legwork, including getting a party wall surveyor to review your...
So your neighbour’s doing building work, and they’ve damaged your property. Construction works can be loud, messy and destructive at times, so accidents can...
We’re asked this from time to time, when clients want to be on site to take a look around with the surveyor while they...
Did you know that, according to a recent poll, British homeowners move house once every 23 years, on average. We all know that moving...
Whether you’re in need of simple repairs, large scale redecoration or multi-million-poundprogrammes of work, you’ll always want to be in control of your project....
If you look at any major city in the UK, a big chunk of the housing stock is going to be over 50 years...
If you’re dealing with insurance, then you might have heard the term ‘Reinstatement Cost Assessment’ thrown around. It’s yet another bit of jargon from...
Disputes happen. In our industry, it’s usually about the quality of construction works, payments due under building contracts, dilapidations or claims of professional negligence....
Unfortunately, carrying out construction works on your property isn’t always as simple as it sounds. You may be aware that you could need planning...