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.
Buying a home is probably the biggest purchase most of us will ever make. Which is why it’s so important to really know what you’re buying. Even if a properly looks perfect from the outside, there might be some real problems hiding just out of sight. These hidden defects won’t just cost you money (sometimes […]
When a business takes on a commercial lease, occupational flexibility is often quite an important factor for them. Savvy business owners will negotiate a break clause when going into a new lease, allowing them to bring the lease to an end early if they need to. But what’s the advantage of that, what’s involved, and […]
If you’re planning work near a shared wall or boundary, you might already know that you need to serve a party wall notice. But what you might not realise is how important having accurate, detailed drawings is to that process. So today we’re going to cover what kinds of drawings you need, why they matter, […]
Construction projects in built-up areas often require cranes to oversail neighbouring land due to limited space on-site. In these situations, it is often necessary for a tower crane or mobile crane to pass over neighbouring land in order to carry out the works safely and efficiently. You cannot oversail without the adjoining owner’s consent, which […]
Artificial intelligence is now being discussed across almost every industry, and building surveying is no exception. New software can analyse large amounts of data, identify patterns and automate tasks that once took significant time to complete. This naturally leads to the question of whether the role of the surveyor will change and, more importantly, whether […]
As surveyors, our work goes far beyond inspecting buildings and producing reports. At Harrison Clarke, we are a team of experienced professionals that understand that every instruction we receive relates to someone’s home, business or investment. Serving the community is an important part of how we operate as a business. This is one reason why […]
Building work carried out close to a boundary has the potential to affect neighbouring properties, even where the work itself appears straightforward. The Party Wall etc. Act 1996 provides a legal framework that allows such work to proceed while protecting the interests of adjoining owners. Understanding how the Act applies and addressing it at the […]
If you own a building, you will need to insure it. That’s just part and parcel of ownership unfortunately. And it means that your insurance company will want to know the value of the risk they’re insuring, so that they know what they might be expected to pay out if you claim. With some things […]
When people think about construction projects, payment often sounds simple: you do the work, you get paid. In reality, valuing construction work is one of the most complex, and at times contentious, aspects of any project. From stage payments and monthly valuations to deciding what actually counts as completed work, the valuation process plays a […]
Improving insulation is one of the most effective ways to enhance comfort and reduce energy consumption in a residential property. Heat loss through walls, roofs and floors can be significant, particularly in older buildings that were constructed before modern thermal standards were introduced. Understanding the available insulation options allows property owners to select solutions that […]
When we’re finalising dilapidations claims, the term ‘diminution valuation’ is bandied about quite a lot, often as some kind of a threat. In this context, it sounds like a big scary thing, but not to worry! We’re here to explain what it is, what it means in terms of dilapidations, and how it can be […]
Asbestos remains one of the most significant health and safety considerations in commercial property. Although its use was banned in the UK, it is still present in many buildings constructed or refurbished before the prohibition came into force. For property owners, tenants and managing agents, understanding where asbestos may be located and how it should […]
