Benchmark Building Surveyors

The practice covers the broad spectrum of building surveying instructions for residential, commercial and industrial property. Our services include building surveys and defect investigation, building cost reinstatement assessments, building design, obtaining planning and building regulation approval, contract administration, leasehold dilapidations and party wall matters under the Party Wall etc Act 1996.

The practice is conveniently located to cover the whole of London and the home counties.

All of our surveyors are full members of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) and the practice is regulated by the RICS. The practice has a commitment to providing a high quality and professional service.


Building Survey & Defect Investigation
Our experience in building construction and pathology enables us to undertake detailed pre acquisition surveys of commercial, industrial & residential property. We can assist with the acquisition of a freehold or leasehold interest.

Our detailed reports can highlight potential liabilities and maintenance issues to enable our clients to make an informed decision prior to purchasing.

We provide advice with regard to repairing liabilities under the terms of a lease and provide advice on the future repairing and possible dilapidations liability.


Building Cost Reinstatement Assessments
From experience of a broad range of properties we can provide assessment for reinstatement of traditional and specialist/ historic buildings. Our experience is backed up by our hands on knowledge of the construction industry to provide clients with sound, professional assessments of all types of property and portfolio sizes.


Building Design & Contract Administration
We have extensive experience in construction contracts for alterations, extensions and refurbishment of existing buildings. We provide a one-stop service from inception through to completion.

Our services include:

• Feasibility study and scheme design for alterations, extensions or refurbishment/ repair


• Preparation of drawings & supporting documentation for planning approval


• Preparation of detailed construction drawings and structural calculations for building regulation approval


• Preparation of specification & tender documents


• Preparation of contract documents


• Advice on procurement route


• Competitive tendering


• Supervision of works on site to control cost, quality & programme


• Agreement of final account


• Role of CDM Co-ordinator under the Construction (Design & Management) Regulations 2007

Dilapidations
We act for both landlords and tenants for all property types. We have a detailed knowledge of dilapidations law and practice and our constant involvement keeps us at the forefront of current thinking and case law.

Our services include:

• Acting for Landlords & Tenants providing advice on dilapidations liabilities


• Providing Schedules of Condition at lease commencement to limit the potential dilapidations liability


• Interim Schedules


• Repairs Notices


• Terminal Schedules


• Advice to tenants in defending the landlord’s schedule

Party Wall Matters
We act for both adjoining owners and building owners under the Party Wall etc Act 1996. Any proposed building works may fall within the requirements of the Party Wall etc Act 1996, whether there is a Line of Junction, Party Structure or Adjacent Excavation within the meaning of the Act.

Our constant involvement and knowledge enables the preparation of the requisite documentation for our appointing owners and the administration of the Act.

Our services include:

• Consideration of drawings and structural details to ascertain the application of the Party Wall etc Act 1996


• Service of and response to Notices


• Preparation of and agreement of Schedule of Condition


• Preparation, agreement and publication of Award


• Settling the Award and agreeing compensation/ remedial works upon completion