Building Advisory Services

We provide the following Building Surveying services:

Landlord and tenant services, advising on UK dilapidation law
Building pathology, incorporating scientific and analytical methods to undertake detailed investigations
Building inspection to support a transaction
Condition surveys to support revenue and capital project planning.

Our longstanding expertise in technical due diligence provides the capability to support and inform property investment decisions effectively. Whether we are assessing a single building or a complete portfolio, clients are secure in the knowledge that they have a full understanding of building condition and performance prior to purchase or lease.

We provide the following Project Management services:

Development management
Construction management
Quantity surveying
Employers’ agent role.

Our experience delivers your project, assessing the risk and alternatives available, constantly adding value. The appointment can be independent, or including a full team of architects, engineers and specialists.

Project management of the refurbishment of a World War One munitions factory in Hereford

At the time of construction, the warehouse was the largest single spanning warehouse in the UK. The project was to refurbish the building and provide flexible ‘business incubator’ space, whilst at the same time retaining the historical essence of the building. The project was managed using an NEC 4 Option A, following an OJEU tender process.

The surrounding land was at risk of contamination, both from asbestos and unexploded ordnance. Three rounds of intrusive ground testing confirmed that the ground was ‘non-hazardous’, but not inert, therefore a strategy was needed to mitigate the risk for needing to move 4,000 cubic meters of material off site.

Through a robust design challenge process, we were able to succeed in a combination of raising the height of the existing internal and external ground levels to accommodate some material. Remaining material was able to be concealed within landscaped bunds, resulting in a project saving of over £500k.
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Condition Surveys for a private education provider

PHD were appointed to undertake an options appraisal for a number of the provider’s centres around the UK. The properties were a combination of historically significant buildings and scheduled monuments.

We undertook condition surveys at each of the site locations, providing detailed cost and condition information, which supported the client’s business planning.

Specifically using our knowledge of conservation, we identified potentially significant issues and recommend a programme of repairs to address these, mitigating any potential conservation enforcement action, whilst at the same time understanding the commercial investment needs of the client.

Lease Advisory relating to the acquisition of a portfolio of industrial units throughout the UK

Immediately after our appointment, PHD inspected the units, where it became evident the condition of the portfolio was tired, and our client could potentially inherit an onerous repairing liability.

PHD negotiated the need for Schedules of Condition to be appended to the new leases, at the Landlords cost, to ensure that our client was adequately protected from non-fault dilapidations claims at the end of the lease term. Following this, PHD undertook schedules of condition of over 2,000,000 sq ft of industrial space in a three-week window.