SURVEYS
At Wilde Spooner Raleigh we have extensive experience of surveys of all types of residential, commercial and institutional properties ranging from small flats through all domestic properties (including large country houses) to shops, offices, industrial units, schools, churches and public buildings.
Building Surveys
The purchase of a property is likely to be one of the most expensive commitments which an individual or company will undertake. It makes sense therefore to try to find out as much as possible about the property before committing to a purchase. The way to do this is to commission a Building Survey (equivalent to a RICS Level 3 survey).
Level 2 Surveys
A Level 2 Survey is designed for purchasers of residential houses and flats of standard construction, that are relatively modern and which are in generally good condition. While a Building Survey includes thorough analysis and advice on complex or hidden issues, the Level 2 survey focuses on visible defects, urgent repairs, and provides general advice on ongoing maintenance.
Quinquennial Surveys
We act for a number of Dioceses including the Church of England and the Roman Catholic Church. In particular, we have very wide experience of quinquennial surveys of church buildings. These surveys are undertaken every five years and are designed to identify necessary urgent repairs and maintenance works, whilst also outlining less urgent, preventative maintenance works. It is a key tool in responsible stewardship of modern or historic buildings including but not limited to places of worship.
Schedules of Condition and Snagging Reports
Our Schedules of Condition provide a clear, photographic and written record of a property's state either before lease commencement or prior to construction works beginning, helping to protect all parties from future disputes. These reports are particularly valuable for commercial leases but are commonly prepared as part of a party wall agreement, or to support the preparation of an access / scaffold licence.
We also offer detailed New Build Snagging Reports, identifying defects and unfinished work in newly constructed buildings. This ensures the builders address issues prior to completion of the purchase.
ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES
At Wilde Spooner Raleigh we provide comprehensive professional advice from inception to completion of building works including minor alterations and repairs, extensions, loft conversions, major refurbishments of existing buildings and new builds. We have wide experience of designing, specifying and monitoring building works to all kinds of properties.
We offer a full range of architectural and design services to obtain planning, building control, listed building and other statutory consents. We are able to undertake feasibility studies and to provide outline and conceptual design proposals together with the preparation of detailed drawings for planning and building regulation and listed building consent.
The scope of work covered by Wilde Spooner Raleigh encompasses all stages of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors' Conditions of Engagement for Building Surveying Services in relation to building works including the design of buildings and specification of works and all matters involved in contract administration. We will be happy to supply a copy of this document to clients considering undertaking building works.
Project Management and Contract Administration
At Wilde Spooner Raleigh we believe that the most successful building projects result from collaborative working with our clients and contractors seeking the same objective.
We have particular expertise in the management and administration of construction projects from inception to completion.
We are able to advise on the design brief and project team strategies for procurement of the works, selection of suitable contractors, appropriate building contracts, administration of the contract and monitoring the works through to completion.
Schools and Churches
Wilde Spooner Raleigh has wide experience of co-ordinating the alteration and repair of school and church buildings including the complete refurbishment of the external fabric of Northampton Roman Catholic Cathedral.
Measured Surveys
By undertaking full on-site measured surveys, we can deliver accurate and detailed architectural drawings of existing buildings. We present the information that we gather on site in the form of floor plans, elevations and sections of the building drawn in AutoCAD.
These drawing can serve all kinds of purposes such as the basis for our concept development and architectural proposals, all the way through to producing proposed construction drawings for contractors.
Planning Applications
We have extensive experience in preparing and submitting planning applications. The planning application requirements have become more onerous over time, and we can advise and support you through the process of obtaining any additional supporting documentation that is required, including from other consultants, such as bat surveys and mitigation plans by ecologists.
Listed Building Consent
At Wilde Spooner Raleigh we have excellent knowledge and understanding of how historic buildings are constructed and how they can be sensitively repaired, renovated and extended.
For more complex schemes, we can submit pre-applications for heritage advice and meet on site with the local authority's heritage officers to discuss various proposals. This collaborative approach has led to many successful applications for Listed Building Consent.
Building Regulations Applications
The vast majority of building works, even minor works, will require an application to building control for approval with full plans or a building notice application.
Unless the works are of simple content, we usually advise our clients to submit an application for approval with full plans. This reduces the risk and expense of abortive works being undertaken that do not comply with the building regulations.
These plans can also serve as construction drawings for contractors to price against and use for construction purposes. We can produce the necessary drawings that amalgamate all the technical information to show how the building will be constructed in accordance with the building regulations.
The drawings will show how all the elements of the design are put together in a co-ordinated way. This can include such information as the specification of the materials proposed in order to meet the current U-values and other information from consultants such as structural elements. We work closely with structural engineers and other consultants to check that the design works holistically.
Building Safety Act 2022
The Building Safety Act 22 is a relatively new building control regime that came into force in April 2024 and applies to all building works. This has been a major shift in how building safety is managed and regulated. Here at Wilde Spooner Raleigh, we can support you in understanding your responsibilities as the client under the Act and provide expert Principal Designer services to help navigate these new duties.
Construction Design and Management Regulations 2015
The Construction Design and Management Regulations 2015 places legal duties on virtually everyone involved in construction work and under CDM 2015 all construction projects (including domestic) will require a construction phase plan.
Those with legal duties are commonly known as 'dutyholders' and include clients, principal designers (not to be confused with principal designers under the Building Safety Act), principal contractors, contractors and co-workers.
At Wilde Spooner Raleigh we are able to act as principal designer. We are able to assist and advise clients with their duties under the regulation and to co-ordinate health and safety aspects of the design. We are used to liaising with all parties involved in the project and ensuring good communications between clients, designers and contractors.
We are able to identify collect and distribute pre-construction information and to prepare and maintain health and safety files during the construction phase of the project.
BUILDING DEFECTS
Cracking in Buildings
We are often asked to inspect and report on the causes of cracking in buildings and to advise on failure patterns and the implications of cracking. We are able to inspect and report on cracks causing concern and advise on appropriate remedial works. If required we are able to undertake investigations to measure and monitor movement in buildings and advise on appropriate courses of action, including notifying insurers and whether it is likely that the cracking will be covered by your insurance policy.
Dampness and Timber Decay
This is a field of work in which we specialise and within Wilde Spooner Raleigh we have extensive experience of advising on timber decay and dampness. We have advised on dampness and decay in a variety of historic buildings including the Listed Buildings in London Docklands, Marlborough House and Winchester City Mill. We have also acted on numerous occasions as experts in the field of timber decay and dampness for a wide variety of clients.
Condensation and Mould Growth
Condensation and mould are common issues in many buildings. Initially causing decorative damage, it can develop, potentially leading to structural defects to the building. Mould growth, often a consequence of chronic conditions of condensation, is often linked to health problems such as respiratory issues, allergies, and skin irritation, particularly in vulnerable individuals.
Our inspections identify the underlying causes; whether related to defects in the building fabric, inadequate insulation, ventilation or heating. We provide clear, practical advice on how to address the problem and prevent it recurring.
INSURANCE MATTERS
Flooding & Fire
We have wide experience in the reinstatement of properties which have been subject to flooding or fire damage. Fire damage or the flooding of a property can be an extremely traumatic experience and we often find that building owners are overwhelmed by the damage caused to their property. We are able to help navigate our clients through the necessary steps to reinstate their property effectively following fire or flood damage.
Reinstatement Cost Assessments
It is important that property owners ensure that their buildings are sufficiently insured. In the event of the property being under insured, insurers will often 'average' any claim. This means there may not be sufficient funds from insurers to properly reinstate the building. It is therefore of critical importance that buildings are adequately insured. This will normally require an assessment of the rebuilding cost of the property. We are often asked by clients to advise on this.
At Wilde Spooner Raleigh we have good experience of undertaking reinstatement cost assessments of buildings in compliance with the RICS professional standard. This standard provides detailed recommendations on the manner of which assessments should be approached, the nature and extent of the information to be collated and the manner in which this information should be processed and the assessment calculated.
DISPUTE RESOLUTION & EXPERT WITNESS
We are happy to give advice on building disputes, contractual disputes, defective workmanship, professional negligence claims and nuisance claims. We are able to provide expert reports in accordance with Part 35 of the Civil Procedure Rules. As part of these rules it is the duty of experts to help the court in matters within the expert's expertise. This duty overrides any obligation to the person from whom experts have received instructions or by whom they are paid
NEIGHBOURLY MATTERS
Party Wall Etc. Act 1996
The Party Wall etc. Act 1996 provides owners of buildings with various rights and obligations to other owners where certain work is to be undertaken to party walls; where there is to be an excavation close to a neighbour's structure, or where there is a proposal to construct walls either on or astride the boundary between the owners.
In any of these instances, we can advise on the actions that may need to be taken to comply with the Act, including the serving of appropriate Notices on the Adjoining Owner(s) and the preparation of schedules of condition and Party Wall Agreements as required. Equally, we are also able to advise and take appointment from adjoining owners who have received a Notice.
Access Licences
When undertaking building works, it may be necessary to secure agreement from a neighbouring landowner for limited access to be provide over their land to facilitate the project. We are able to prepare such licences, securing formal agreements with neighbouring owners. These licences set out the terms of access, duration, and usually include a schedule of condition prior to the access being granted, helping to prevent disputes.
Schedules of Condition
A Schedule of Condition of adjacent buildings is often prepared before construction work begins to accurately record the existing condition of nearby properties that may be affected by the proposed works. It often forms part of a Party Wall Agreement, or an Access / scaffold licence, but where these do not apply it can still be used to protect building owners and their neighbours. The purpose of the schedule is to help avoid disputes over responsibility for cracks, movement, or other issues that may arise. If damage is alleged, the schedule offers clear evidence of the pre-existing state, making liability easier to assess.
It is particularly important in dense urban areas where excavation, piling, or heavy machinery can impact neighbouring structures. By proactively documenting condition, it also demonstrates due diligence and a responsible approach to construction, which can foster goodwill amongst adjoining owners.
