SERVICES

At GJ Building Surveying Services we have the knowledge and skills to provide our clients with a tailor-made service to suit their requirements and situation, as no two clients or projects are ever alike.

We aim to make sure that you property is developed and cared for to your specifications and will endeavor to model a package to suit your needs by using our extensive network of construction professionals, in partnership with ourselves, to provide a complete ‘one-stop’ solution.

New-Builds, Extensions, Alterations and Conversions

Whether your require a new house, office, shop or industrial unit, or you wish to alter the use of your property, then GJ Building Surveying Services is the one to call – no project too big or small.

By starting off with an initial discussion to gather your ideas, requirements and budget, we can undertake initial sketches with alternative designs for your approval and selection.

We will then discuss the project further, making alterations to the scheme as necessary to finally produce a scheme you are satisfied with.  At this point in the project we can then proceed further with gain the appropriate permissions, etc.

Measured Surveys

Every project should start with a detailed measured survey of your property, as only then can its stability and layout be understood.

GJ Building Surveying Services can accurately measure your current property and input this into our Computer Aided Design system to produce accurate drawings.

These drawings can then be used for any further requirement you have, be it planning a furniture layout, devising property development strategies or for legislative purposes such as fire or licensing plans.

Planning Permission Submission

Whether you would like a new property, extension, alteration, or to change the use of your property, then these will usually require formal planning consent from the Local Authority.
 
GJ Building Surveying Services can lead you, our client, through this process by producing all the relevant plans and gathering the necessary documents required for the type of planning application being submitted, and submit the application on your behalf.
 
Once submitted the application process usually takes between eight to ten weeks, and once approved the permission is valid for three years.
 
In addition for the need for planning permission, the deeds of some properties include covenants which can restrict your rights to alter or extend your property, and thus requires the owner to gain separate approval via their legal advisor.
GJ Building Surveying Services can also assist with this matter.

Detailed Construction Drawings /
Building Regulation Submissions

Either following on from gaining planning consent or if your project just requires these, then GJ Building Surveying Services can produce working drawings and specification for your works, and submit the Full Plans application to Building Control for their approval.

Once formally approved and other necessary consents are in place, then construction works can commence 48 hours after informing Building Control.  They will then attend site at specific stages during the build to inspect the work, and if all goes in accordance with the plans and the inspections recommendations, then a final certificate will be issued at completion.

For guidance on whether your project will require Building Regulation approval, contact us or your Local Authority Building Control department as necessary.

Energy Consultancy
(New Dwelling EPCs, overglazed extensions and energy assessments)

Whether you require an As-Designed or As-Built Energy Assessment (SAP, DER/TER) for a new build Dwelling, an assessment for your over-glazed extension or an assessment for a material-change-of-use, then GJ Building Surveying Services are able to undertake these and provide the necessary advice for your project to meet compliance with Part L1a or L1b of the Building Regulations.
 
We are registered and monitored by Elmhurst Energy Systems Ltd.
 

Project Management

Construction projects can be very complicated, drawn out and stressful. However, by using our services, we aim to ensure that things go as smoothly as possible.

After gaining the necessary Planning and Building Regulation consents, GJ Building Surveying Services can then go further with producing schedules of works and specifications so that they may be distributed to a number of professional building contractors whom we have had personal experience with (or they could be to your choice if you so wish), so that a number of quotes can be obtained.
 
From this stage, you can either decide to appoint the contractor and manage the project yourself or continue to use our services to monitor the on site phase of the works.
 
If you do decide to use GJ Building Surveying Services, we will then issue the relevant contract documents, produce costing reports to inform you of the projects financial state, hold weekly or fortnightly on site meetings to discuss the project’s current status and issue instructions to the contractor as and when required.
 
Upon completion of the works, we will inspect the work for any defects and prepare the final account for payment.

Particular Problem Reports / Defect Diagnosis

Damp stains on your chimney breast, cracks in your walls or missing insulation within your attic walls?
 
Acting as an Expert Witness, GJ Building Surveying Services can produce detailed reports and specify courses of action for all types of individual problems specific to your property, as well as obtaining quotes from Builders to undertake the repair works, and even inspecting the works as they are carried out.
 

Schedules of Condition

Normally prepared as part of a lease or tenancy agreement, and in relation to party wall matters. GJ Building Surveying Services can inspect and produce a detailed report on the condition of a property at a specified date, set out in sufficient detail so that any part of the structure, finishes or fittings that subsequently become defective or missing can be readily identified.

Party Wall Matters

If you are planning on carrying out underpinning works or repairing works to an existing boundary wall, or building a new wall within three or six metres of existing neighbouring foundations, then you are required to serve notices under the Party Wall, & etc. Act 1996.

GJ Building Surveying Services can advise and undertake such Party Wall Matters, making sure that you stay on the right side of the law, by issuing Party Wall notices and agreeing awards, to allow you to carry out the works that you require.

 

Residential Building Surveys

Once you have found a property that you wish to purchase, you will want to sign on the dotted line at the first opportunity, but a little less haste can be a wise move. It may look well-kept and in a good state of repair, but just how physically sound is it?

GJ Building Surveying Services always recommend that you, the purchaser, commission an independent professional to carry out a detailed survey on your behalf and not stick with the standard Valuation Report as this is NOT for your peace of mind but for your mortgage company. This is the lender’s way of assessing whether or not there is enough collateral in the property before they agree to the loan. It will not tell you everything that is wrong with the property and will not even explain how or what is causing the problems or how to remedy them.

We recommend that you use the building survey (originally called a full structural survey), as this will explain in more detail the property you are investing in. This is recommended for all properties but is much suited to the older types of either a large and complex nature, or smaller and unusual construction.

A really thorough search of the property is undertaken of the visible and accessible areas in technical detail (although still written in understandable English) on building materials and structure, with numerous photographs, and tips for future maintenance items and areas that could become a problem.

In all cases, the cost of the report depends on the value, size and age of the property.

Whether you are a first time buyer, a veteran at purchasing property or just have a particular problem with your existing property, we can offer the right service for your needs.

We cater for all types of projects

Residential

Commerical

Industrial