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Harewood House

Bishopthorpe Palace

St Bartholomew’s Chapel

York Theatre Royal

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Building Surveying

Building Surveys

Buying a house or other property can be a difficult and stressful experience regardless of the size of the building or portfolio, but good advice on the state of repair and construction can help to smooth the process. Chartered Building Surveyors have established an indispensable role in this field of advice with extensive training and experience in identifying construction techniques and judging if and where problems are likely to occur.

Needless to say, this service applies equally to new properties, as well as to existing premises, as they too can suffer from significant defects, lack flexibility in use, or carry a high burden of servicing costs. With advice from Ian Smith Building Surveying & Conservation Ltd. the prospective buyer can reach a properly considered decision.

We offer both the standard RICS Level 3 Home Survey service, as well as a bespoke Building Survey where the situation demands.

Condition Surveys

Condition surveys are an essential tool in the management of any building, whether residential, commercial or industrial, modern or historic. However, the value of the information will be determined by the quality and detail of the survey.

We are regularly involved with the preparation of detailed condition surveys and maintenance plans for a wide variety of building stock including condition surveys on behalf of several major clients, such as Ministry of Justice, North Yorkshire Police, York Housing Association and The Diocese of York, using both traditional and digital methods.

Planned Preventative Maintenance

Commercial, industrial and private occupiers and owners are becoming increasingly aware of the need to protect and manage their investments in property. Chartered Building Surveyors are the ideal choice for advising on these matters.

When instructed to prepare a planned maintenance programme we are able to analyse the defects and wants of repair in a building and prepare a comprehensive programme of planned repair, renewal and maintenance. This gives the client a continuing forecast for expenditure which will be required to keep the property sound and in good condition for many years into the future. At the same time, Ian Smith Building Surveying & Conservation Ltd. can advise on energy conservation and other related property management matters.

Refurbishment, Design & Management

We can assist clients to develop a project brief to ensure the scope and direction of the scheme is fully realised. We can produce feasibility studies to examine a range of options with budget costs to enable informed decisions to be taken ensuring selection of the most appropriate alternative for the scheme.

Once a scheme is selected, we can produce detailed drawings and specifications of work to fully illustrate the intended construction work. Our experience of building survey and defect analysis enables us to anticipate potential repairs and improvement works that might be necessary to the existing building fabric, thereby reducing the risk of unforeseen difficulties and extra costs.

We can analyse contractor’s quotations to ensure the designs have been correctly interpreted and priced accordingly and carry out contract administration duties including preparation of formal documentation, regular progress monitoring and preparation of valuation certificates for payments to the contractor as the work proceeds and until completion.

Conservation

Conservation Surveys

Condition surveys are an essential tool in the management of any building, whether residential, commercial or industrial, modern or historic. However, the value of the information will be determined by the quality and detail of the survey.

We are regularly involved with the preparation of detailed condition surveys and maintenance plans for a wide variety of building stock including condition surveys on behalf of several major clients, such as Ministry of Justice, North Yorkshire Police, York Housing Association and The Diocese of York, using both traditional and digital methods.

Quadrennial & Quinquennial Inspections

Quadrennial and Quinquennial Inspections involve an assessment of the historic nature and significance of building together with a thorough survey of all aspects of a building's fabric and are intended to identify problems which have developed since the last time it was inspected and to establish priorities for repair to ensure the preservation of the fabric. The inspections are generally frequent enough to catch problems before significant damage occurs.

Ian has carried out hundreds of Quadrennial and Quinquennial Inspections for a wide variety of clients including Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Defence (via Amey Defence), Church of England Church Commissioners, Lambton Estate, York Conservation Trust and The Diocese of York.

Refurbishment, Design & Management

We can assist clients to develop a project brief to ensure the scope and direction of the scheme is fully realised. We can produce feasibility studies to examine a range of options with budget costs to enable informed decisions to be taken ensuring selection of the most appropriate alternative for the scheme.

Once a scheme is selected, we can produce detailed drawings and specifications of work to fully illustrate the intended construction work. Our experience of building survey and defect analysis enables us to anticipate potential repairs and improvement works that might be necessary to the existing building fabric, thereby reducing the risk of unforeseen difficulties and extra costs.

We can analyse contractor’s quotations to ensure the designs have been correctly interpreted and priced accordingly and carry out contract administration duties including preparation of formal documentation, regular progress monitoring and preparation of valuation certificates for payments to the contractor as the work proceeds and until completion.

Heritage Statements, Conservation Management Plans & Policy Statements

Heritage Statements may be required where applications are being made to carry out works to a Listed or Historic building or one that might be situated within a Conservation Area. The Statement is required to assess the historic significance of the building, or its setting, and to consider the proposed works in this context. As experts in dealing with Historic Buildings, we are ideally placed to assist in the preparation of such statements.

Historic buildings are constantly evolving and the need to manage and plan for the future of the asset is an essential requirement for a sustainable future. A management plan can be produced to accurately plan essential repairs, changes in use or alterations generally. This information is typically projected over a five-year period.

Before commencing works to a historic building, it is worthwhile considering the general requirements of the clients, building and end user. These factors, together with conservation expertise can ensure that proposed works can be achieved without adversely affecting the historic fabric whilst satisfying the project brief. Policy statements are typically produced at an early stage in the design phase to ensure that the correct philosophy is adopted.

Project in focus

York Theatre Royal

The works consisted of replacement of the slate and lead coverings to the Victorian pitched roofs and renewal of the flat roofs to the acclaimed 1967 extension, designed by renowned Modernist Architect, Patrick Gwynne.

Hello, I am Ian,

Chartered building surveyor and certified historic building professional.

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Contact me at

ian@iansmithbuildingsurveying.co.uk