Some interesting case studies showing the range of buildings we survey
Brae House, Kippen
Brae House was quite a modern house for us but a challenge nonetheless. Our client was looking for a nuts-and-bolts survey to inform them about its current condition generally but various defects and advice on upgrading work.
The survey included inspection and assessment of the boundaries as well as bridges over the river running across the rear garden. Although modern, it still suffered from maintenance issues, failed mastic, mortar joints etc., common enough issues but which are vital in preventing water ingress. There was some interesting use of glulam timbers and some very large rooflights. |
Barnbarroch House, Dalbeattie
We were asked to carry out a dampness survey of this unlisted but likely early 19th century house to determine why it had so many instances of dampness and evidence of water ingress throughout the whole property.
We spend most of the day inspecting chimney stacks, flashings, gutters, wallheads, skews, valleys, abutments, grounds, drainage, then internally through the various roof spaces and, then, room-by-room surveying, testing walls, thermal imaging etc.
By the end of the day, we had enough information to then sit and go through to determine, firstly, the different instances of the dampness, identify the various defects which were allowing separate routes for moisture, the various causes of the defects, whether they were ongoing or 'historic', and then to detail remedies or repairs as necessary.
We spend most of the day inspecting chimney stacks, flashings, gutters, wallheads, skews, valleys, abutments, grounds, drainage, then internally through the various roof spaces and, then, room-by-room surveying, testing walls, thermal imaging etc.
By the end of the day, we had enough information to then sit and go through to determine, firstly, the different instances of the dampness, identify the various defects which were allowing separate routes for moisture, the various causes of the defects, whether they were ongoing or 'historic', and then to detail remedies or repairs as necessary.
Craigview House, Usan
We were asked to carry out a dampness survey of this extended B-listed 18th century property following its purchase as a project. This was necessary since the home report survey failed to provide any useful advice at all apart from damp proofing - which was nonsense.
We spent the day at the property and carried out a thorough inspection to identify the various defects causing water ingress, including using high resolution drone video, thermal imaging, some good old prodding and poking of timbers and electronic testing of moisture levels.
We were then able, from all the gathered information, to provide a way forward for the new owner who was previously overwhelmed by the possible work due to the bad advice he had already received.
We spent the day at the property and carried out a thorough inspection to identify the various defects causing water ingress, including using high resolution drone video, thermal imaging, some good old prodding and poking of timbers and electronic testing of moisture levels.
We were then able, from all the gathered information, to provide a way forward for the new owner who was previously overwhelmed by the possible work due to the bad advice he had already received.
Shennanton House, Wigtownshire
We were instructed to carry out a building survey of this magnificent pile by a client wishing to return it from four separate houses to one house. Built by Henry Edward Clifford, a Glasgow architect, in the English Tudor Gothic style, neither common in Scotland, but highly decorative and reminiscent of the Scots Baronial style. It is A-listed, so considered very special, and was built in 1908.
We spent two days surveying the house and grounds, numerous chimneys, various roofspaces, undercrofts and subfloors. Some of the rooms were simply magnificent, with high quality pine used, all in very good condition bearing in mind it was mostly vacant for the last few years. It has decorative polygonal granite outside but an absence of decorative plasterwork inside - a reaction to high Victorian adornment.
The report took over a week to compile, grouping the various elements together and providing clarity to this otherwise complex structure. The resultant document allowed for clarity in the decosion making process but also served as a maintenance guiode for the future.
We spent two days surveying the house and grounds, numerous chimneys, various roofspaces, undercrofts and subfloors. Some of the rooms were simply magnificent, with high quality pine used, all in very good condition bearing in mind it was mostly vacant for the last few years. It has decorative polygonal granite outside but an absence of decorative plasterwork inside - a reaction to high Victorian adornment.
The report took over a week to compile, grouping the various elements together and providing clarity to this otherwise complex structure. The resultant document allowed for clarity in the decosion making process but also served as a maintenance guiode for the future.
Ardshiel, West Barns
We were instructed to carry out a building survey of this C-listed project property to inform the owners of the work required and in which priority, to allow it to become a warm, dry and efficient home.
This developed into a day-long CPD event but it was worth it for the owners because they obtained tuition and the report was just reinforcement of our disussions. It was also worth it for me because, well, because I enjoyed it even though it took longer than allowed for.
The report produced was very detailed and was also to be used for evidencing changes to the property which were identified during the survey.
This developed into a day-long CPD event but it was worth it for the owners because they obtained tuition and the report was just reinforcement of our disussions. It was also worth it for me because, well, because I enjoyed it even though it took longer than allowed for.
The report produced was very detailed and was also to be used for evidencing changes to the property which were identified during the survey.