Our Services

The Building Consultancy largely specialises in advising commercial clients on a number of issues affecting their decisions to acquire, adapt, maintain and dispose of premises required to operate their businesses.

We also advise owners and occupiers of heritage buildings (residential or commercial) of the additional implications required to look after their old and listed buildings. Our skills will be needed at every stage of the building cycle. So don't wait until there's a problem to be solved; harness our expertise as early in the cycle as you can - that way problems are averted, costs reduced and projects will conclude much earlier.

  • Feasibility studies, building design and specification, construction monitoring and financial control, health & safety advice, employer agents, landlord's agent, tenant's agent.

  • The expectations of landlords and tenants regarding their respective rights and obligations when it comes to repairing and decorating property are frequently misunderstood. As chartered building surveyors we are experienced in reviewing legal documents to determine those requirements, assessing the premises to determine whether those obligations have been fulfilled and advising our client on what actions should be considered.

    We provide this advice at all stages of the occupancy - from prior to the lease being agreed through the term of the occupation - right up to the end of the lease when the property is handed back to the landlord.

  • Measured surveys are required for a variety of reasons such as lease agreements, refurbishment projects and space planning. It is important that accurate information about a building is recorded early in a refurbishment project. The information collected at this time will assist in the creative design stage. At The Building Consultancy the project surveyor will work with an expert land surveyor with up to date surveying instruments to ensure that the information presented is adequate for the needs of the project.

  • An often overlooked aspect of many businesses is the necessity to plan for the works necessary to keep the premises they own or occupy in a condition that fulfils their requirements. This may simply be to keep the water out - but usually extends to allowing prudent financial forecasting and strategic decision making well in advance of the required event.

  • Schedules of Condition are required to record the condition of the property at a certain time - usually in connection with a forthcoming event.

    That event is commonly the granting of a new lease to a tenant. The schedule then records the condition of the property - or certain parts of it - in order that the repairing and/or decorating liabilities of either party can be limited.

    This can only be achieved with the agreement of both parties and it should be included as part of - and referred to in - the lease documents. There are however only limited instances where this may prove to be beneficial and you should seek advice well before finalising the terms for occupation if a schedule of condition is being considered.

  • The Building Consultancy are able to assist in many areas of an acquisition depending upon the particular requirements of the client. It could be that a full building survey is required for a freehold acquisition. Equally an assessment of the current dilapidation liability may be required by a client who is considering entering into a lease agreement.

  • Whether it's the design of a complete building or a feature within an existing building The Building Consultancy offer a complete design service. We always seek to provide quality design which is affordable and within our client's budget. Our creative drive often results in imaginative designs which become the central feature of a project.

  • Many of our clients call The Building Consultancy when they have a particular problem with a building. This may be internal dampness, structural concerns or advise on a specific building element.

    Our extensive experience with diagnosing a range of building defects means that we are well placed to carry out specific inspections which get to the bottom of the cause. Our inspections always generate a comprehensive report which identify the possible causes of the defect as well as a range of remedial works to solve the problem.

  • We carry out full building surveys to all types of commercial premises and listed buildings. Our surveys do not simply follow a standard format which is printed off as a standard document. Our starting point is to understand why our client requires a survey and what information will be of most use to them. Our reports are all tailored to offer the greatest benefit to our client.

  • Dealing with our historic environment involves a particular - additional - responsibility and sensitivity to that we require in the "day-to-day" buildings we are involved with. The demands of historic buildings require a different approach and skill set to ensure that they continue to survive and flourish as viable buildings contributing to their surroundings.

    As chartered building surveyors working in this demanding area we believe our training and experience is well directed to this discipline. In addition Richard Fairs has completed the respected RICS Post Graduate Diploma in Building Conservation.

    We are fortunate to be associated with many historic buildings in our region and we work with both private owners, conservation organisations and other owners to conserve and enhance our built heritage.

  • We monitor construction projects on a variety of levels and for many different purposes. It may be that a tenant is in negotiation with a landlord on the building of a premises and the prospective tenant wishes to have an input on the design and construction phase. In this instance The Building Consultancy are able to advise on the key issues to obtain the right result. We also monitor projects on site which we have designed and specified. This completes the ''one stop'' service which The Building Consultancy are able to offer from inception to completion.