• Restoration of Historic Building

  • Restoration Building Survey

  • Listed Building & Conservation Issues

  • Project Management

  • Residential Building Survey

  • Commercial Building Survey

  • Architectural Services

  • Expert Witness Work

  • Dilapidations

  • Fire Reinstatement Cost Assessment

Projects in Tunbridge Wells, throughout Kent and the South East

 

Restoration of Historic Buildings

We were invited by a private Client to inspect an Historic Grade I Listed building situated in a prominent village position and advise the Clients on external repairs and decorations required to the Main House, the attached Clock House, the Barn and outbuildings. Having carried out an inspection, we prepared a specification of works and undertook the restoration of the building with reference to the Conservation Officer in so far as his approval was required. Repairs included considerable work to the roof tiling, the leadwork and brickwork repairs. Considerable joinery repairs were required and during our investigations we found that the sash windows on the front of the property were of a very unusual design and construction, the repair of which required significant lateral thinking.

The restoration of the Clock Tower involved re-painting the clock faces and significant re-roofing.

 Restoration Building Surveys

 

We were invited to inspect an important Victorian Gothic Grade II Listed country house, built in the 19th Century by a wealthy retail magnate. This property had a somewhat chequered history and had been used not only as a private house but also as a small private school and even a nightclub. It had fallen into disrepair and had been significantly vandalised. Our advice was sought to stabilise the building and try to prevent further deterioration.

On inspection we found that much of the lead and slates had been stolen from the roof along with many of the internal architectural features. We advised the Client on such temporary repairs as were possible, pending receipt of a Planning Consent applied for by others but which included for enabling development.

 Listed Building and Conservation Issues

 

We were invited to inspect the Manor House to a local village which is an historic building with well documented history and Listed to Grade II. We were asked to prepare a report on the condition of the fabric and to advise on Listed Building and Conservation issues relating to the remedial works necessary but also in respect of ways of putting the building into beneficial use.

 Project Management

 

We were involved in the pre-purchase survey of an important Listed property in Tenterden. The main house was Listed in its own right but there are also five further individual buildings which are also Listed in their own right.

We undertook the project management of the improvement of the kitchen area which entailed obtaining Listed Building Consent for alterations and we project managed the subsequent works. At the same time we dealt with external repairs to the main roof and chimney stacks in order to safeguard the building and this included the replacement of a large panel of mathematical tiles on the rear elevation. This involved sourcing tiles which were made for the project by a local tile maker.

We also carried out conversion works to the Oast House which involved obtaining Listed Building Consent to alterations.

We have ongoing connection with the property in respect of future maintenance etc.

 Residential Building Surveys

 

We undertook a pre-purchase survey of a Grade I Listed building situated in mid-Kent and which is contemporary with Ightham Mote and has similar features. In this building we undertook significant timber framing repairs and complete re-roofing of the 14th Century Great Hall. These works were identified in our pre-purchase survey and were programmed as a result. We also obtained Listed Building Consent for the conversion of outbuildings into ancillary living accommodation.

 Commercial Building Surveys

 

 

We were approached by a Local Authority to inspect a building owned as part of a portfolio by a private individual. Our report advised on the condition of the property having regard to the Client’s proposal to acquire the building as part of the portfolio.

Architectural Services

Having carried out a pre-purchase survey of an important village property, we were instructed to undertake remedial works as identified in that survey but also to design an extension to the property to provide a sun-room and to improve the master en-suite facilities. Having designed the alterations, we obtained Planning Consent and Building Control Consent and project managed the work.

Expert Witness Work

We were instructed to inspect work which had been carried out to the hard landscaping to a modern house where there had been issued encountered. We prepared an Expert Witness Report in accordance with the Court protocols and assisted the Clients in resultant action.

Dilapidations

We were employed by a Local Authority to advise on the dilapidations issues resulting from the termination of a lease of a Council property. Our advice and dilapidations schedule were used in discussions and re-negotiations of a new lease.

Fire Reinstatement Cost Assessments

We acted on behalf of a private Client who has a varied portfolio of property around the south east. We visited, inspected and took all the necessary information to allow us to prepare a reinstatement cost for insurance purposes.