THE worlds of property and construction pose challenging environments for new, experienced, private and commercial clients.
If clients take and heed early sound professional advice, it will lay the foundations for a successful acquisition or project.
While vision and entrepreneurial insight are needed to see an investment’s potential, early advice on the real estate’s condition and environment are essential – to not only ensure a successful outcome but to reduce abortive costs if there are intrinsic defects and restrictions that may only be evident to the experienced eye of a chartered building surveyor.
Too often, building surveys are commissioned late, prior to contract exchange, resulting in delays when the true condition of the premises and repair costs are revealed.
Hidden defects such as corroding steel frames behind terracotta facades or rotting timbers due to blocked and concealed rainwater goods can affect the decision to buy or the price, wasting time and money.
The developer or occupier must understand the true flexibility and suitability of a space and the restrictions imposed by the structure, its environment and current legislation.
For example, an early assessment of potential party wall matters can prevent contractual delays and claims while party wall notices are allowed to run and awards are agreed.
If the occupier is a “service provider” under the Disability Discrimination Acts, can they effectively use the premises to service the public without expensive alteration or burdening their operations with ongoing management costs to overcome physical barriers to disabled people?
While apparent restrictions caused by means of escape in case of fire may put a project in doubt, careful fire risk assessment and fire engineering may provide a solution that can make a project feasible.
Early evaluation of potential negative issues can turn a doubtful project into a success story.
Too often, building surveyors are seen as the “deal breaker” because their advice has been sought too late and the client is forced into making uncomfortable decisions to proceed or abort. Early advice would have provided a clearer decision path or given the time for further negotiation or investigation. Early consultation with a chartered building surveyor is a sound investment.
