Building Surveys
Building Surveys
Ross & Liddell’s Building Surveyors, can inspect the accessible and visible elements of a building, and prepare a Building Survey Report on same. Depending upon circumstances, we are able to make a valued judgment over inaccessible elements. We can also consider the intended use of the building.
Ross & Liddell’s Building Surveyors can also undertake Measured Surveys of buildings of all nature to prepare accurate plans as existing for a variety of purposes.
The maintenance condition of a property needs to be considered and items needing urgent attention identified. Roofs or other vulnerable areas may be reaching the end of their useful lives, so that early replacement must be considered. Heating systems may be obsolescent, wiring inadequate for modern use or even dangerous, lifts antiquated and giving a poor impression to visitors, or safety provisions below current legal standards. The requirements implicit to satisfy the various Workplace Regulations under Health & Safety Legislation may also need to be considered. Defects, or potential defects, need to be carefully examined, the cost of putting them right assessed, and the effects on the purchase price or asking rent taken into account.
Are floors designed to take the loads envisaged by the proposed business use? Have fire regulations been complied with? Are energy costs high? All these matters need careful consideration in the context of the survey and the required instructions.
WE CAN ADVISE ON ALL THESE ASPECTS
Building Surveys services offered;
Building & Measured Surveys
Assessment of Replacement Costs for insurance purposes
Expert witness
The Fire (Scotland) Act 2005 and the Fire Safety (Scotland) Regulations 2006
Disability Discrimination Act 1995Building & Measured Surveys
Building & Measured Surveys
Ross & Liddell’s Building Surveyors, can inspect the accessible and visible elements of a building, and prepare a Building Survey Report on same. Depending upon circumstances, we be able to make a valued judgment over inaccessible elements. We can also consider the intended use of the building.
Ross & Liddell’s Building Surveyors can also undertake Measured Surveys of buildings of all nature to prepare accurate plans as existing for a variety of purposes.
Are floors designed to take the loads envisaged by the proposed business use? Have fire regulations been complied with? Are energy costs high? All these matters need careful consideration in the context of the survey and the required instructions.
The maintenance condition of a property needs to be considered and items needing urgent attention identified. Roofs or other vulnerable areas may be reaching the end of their useful lives, so that early replacement must be considered. Heating systems may be obsolescent, wiring inadequate for modern use or even dangerous, lifts antiquated and giving a poor impression to visitors, or safety provisions below current legal standards. The requirements implicit to satisfy the various Workplace Regulations under Health & Safety Legislation may also need to be considered. Defects, or potential defects, need to be carefully examined, the cost of putting them right assessed, and the effects on the purchase price or asking rent taken into account. We can advise on all these aspects.
Assessment of Replacement Costs for insurance purposes
Ross & Liddell’s Building Surveyors can accurately assess the proper level of insurance cover for buildings, and can advise on sourcing of the replacement the cost of fittings, plant and machinery. We can also make a realistic assessment of the risk involved to assist in negotiating of appropriate insurance premiums.
Ross & Liddell’s Building Surveyors regularly represent owners in negotiating insurance claims after fire damage and are involved in obtaining statutory Fire Certificates, supplied to non-residential property.
Expert witness
Few building projects can be contemplated without sound professional advice on construction and property law, and Ross & Liddell’s Building Surveyors can give advice on building and property law.
Most building disputes arise from the inadequacy of initial design, contractual advice, financial control, supervision, workmanship or materials.
Expert professional advise from the outset would be the best protection against disputes, but when they do occur, Ross & Liddell’s Building Surveyors can fill a crucial role and can often avoid the necessity of costly legal proceedings.
The usual methods of dealing with building disputes is by arbitration, and under these circumstances or where legal proceedings arise, Ross & Liddell’s Building Surveyors technical and contractual knowledge qualifies them as an expert witness. Ross & Liddell’s Building Surveyors may also act as the arbiter and produce a binding judgement.
The Fire (Scotland) Act 2005 and the Fire Safety (Scotland) Regulations 2006
The Fire (Scotland) Act imposes duties on employers, employees, managers, owners and others, in relation to the carrying out of fire risk assessments; putting in place fire safety measures found to be necessary, and obliging them to review the fire risk assessment. In general, the Act seeks to ensure the safety of persons in premises from harm caused by fire, by setting out fire safety responsibilities. Compliance with these Regulations is achieved by undertaking a fire risk assessment over your premises to ensure that fire hazards are removed, or at least compensated for. Fire risk assessments are generally carried out over elements such as;
• the structural fire safety of the building, i.e. it’s compartments;
• the means of escape;
• the fire detection and alarm systems;
• first aid fire fighting equipment;
• housekeeping and staff training.
Whilst you may take the view that this is part of the ever increasing legislative compliance being inflicted upon an employer, it should be noted that failure to adhere to this legislation could entail on summary conviction a fine, or on conviction on indictment, to a fine or imprisonment. Ross & Liddell’s Building Surveyors can undertake this Assessment on your behalf.
Disability Discrimination Act 1995
The full scope of Part III of the Disability Discrimination Act comes into force in 2004. This places a duty on all service providers to remove any physical barriers associated with their premises which prevent access to people with disabilities. A service provider is any business offering a service that is used, or could be used, by a member of the public. The Act covers all disabilities not just those associated with mobility, and service providers need to respond accordingly.
There requires to be a sensible balance between the needs of disabled people, compliance with the law, and the efficiency of services provided by service provides to the public. Ross & Liddell’s Building Surveyors can advise on the reasonable adjustments to remove, alter or avoid physical features and barriers that prevent access to premises.