Which Building Survey Do I Need?
A house survey is a professional inspection of a property’s condition and identifies any potential buyer issues. It’s completed by a surveyor who visits the property, carries out an assessment, and prepares a report outlining any problems they’ve found. It’s an excellent way to avoid unexpected repair costs. Getting a survey for a house or […]
What Causes Moisture in Buildings?
One of the most common causes of moisture in buildings is penetrating dampness. It includes any damp which has penetrated the building; however, it also provides plumbing leaks. On one of our building surveys in Kingston, we saw the causes of penetrating dampness from a cavity wall (generally post the 1920s). Penetrating damp from outside […]
Common Flat Roofs Construction Types & Issues
Flat roofs are often found on extensions and outbuildings; however, they can sometimes be found on flats and commercial buildings. In general, they tend to be less effective than pitch roofs as they are less effective in shedding water, which can lead to more defects. Types of Flat Roofs Cold Roof A cold roof is […]
11 Common Defects in Older Homes
A large portion of older buildings, such as Georgian and Victorian houses, were designed to be breathable. Lime mortar and clay bricks were very popular in the Georgian and Victorian periods. These materials are permeable by nature, meaning when the water hits the external envelope can be absorbed and evaporated. Combined with the use of […]
Case Study: Edwardian Cottage Burst Pipe in Roof Space
One of the Surrey building surveyors carried out a building survey for an Edwardian cottage, in which there was an extensive amount of dampness. They tested for damp (which they do in all building surveys) assessed the repair property. There was also another significant defect in rotten timber windows in which there was evidence of […]
Home Extension Cost Considerations
You’ve decided that you want more space in your property, so what’s next? Here are vital aspects you need to consider before you extend your property. Once you’ve decided that you want a home extension, you need to consider the price. Will, it cost more to extend your home, or is it more simple to […]
How Stresses Affect Members in Commercial Buildings
Several members make up a building frame. A few prominent members are struts, ties, beams, columns, and walls that make up the building’s frame. It’s essential to understand how stress affects these, especially in a commercial building. Struts are present in the frame to withstand compressive stress. This stress comes from the force of each level […]
Why Hire A Project Manager?
By having someone experienced coordinate and project manage your extension or loft conversion, you have less risk than doing it yourself. Most people think they know what “project management” is until they realize the importance of using industry-standard contracts and adhering to those terms, even for smaller jobs. Before coming to us, people ran into […]
Is Mechanical Ventilation Essential in Commercial Buildings?
What is mechanical ventilation and why do so many commercial buildings use them? We compare Coventry to London.
Engineering and Construction Lessons from the Pyramids
How the pyramids were built, how tools have evolved and what construction and engineering looks like today.