Grumitt Wade - Experts in Party Wall dispute resolution
As building surveyors Grumitt Wade have a range of professional expertise
from Party Wall Disputes to Defect Diagnosis, Boundary disputes and Contract Administration.
Our Building Surveying Services in more detail:
Grumitt Wade offers a wide range of surveying services catering for both residential commercial properties.
Defect Diagnosis
We routinely carry out assignments to investigate and report upon defects including, cracking, dampness and timber decay and concerns over the standard of construction work. We tailor our service to the specific needs of individual clients and provide an independent, professional opinion, reports phrased in clear language and illustrated with photographs. Many clients will feel confident to engage building contractors to carry out necessary repairs based on our report. Alternatively, we are able to draw up a more detailed schedule of works or specification, obtain competitive estimates and carry on our involvement through the construction phase through to completion.
Advice on repairs and maintenance
We are able to inspect defects and maintenance issues to both private and commercial properties. This can include general decoration, window replacement, roof renewal, penetrating and rising dampness issues, cracks to walls and wall tie failure. We are able to discuss any building issue, provide advice, write defects reports and carry out contract administration for any essential repairs and maintenance.
Expert Witness
In the event of a dispute, a Report from an Expert Witness is frequently required by the Courts to give an independent objective and unbiased view. Appointments and Reports have to be in accordance with the Civil Procedure Rules (CPR). The Report is addressed to the judicial body and not to the party instructing the Expert. The Court may appoint a Single Joint Expert (SJE). The duties and responsibilities for a Surveyor acting as SJE are the same as for any other Surveyor acting as an Expert Witness. Prior to Court proceedings, there may be a meeting of Experts in order to narrow down issues and try and reach agreement. If agreement is not reached, it may be necessary for the Expert Witness to give evidence in Court.
Party Wall etc Act 1996
We routinely act as party wall surveyors and advise on party wall matters. The Act covers work that is going to be carried out to an existing party wall or structure, a new wall or building at, or close to, a boundary line, or excavations within 3 or 6 metres of a neighbouring building or structure. If you are having an extension or loft conversion built the Act may apply. If you have any doubt, we recommend obtaining professional advice whether works are covered by the Act.
The Act gives owners of buildings the right to carry out certain works, but with that, there is a duty to serve proper Notice. Adjoining owners may have the right to appoint a Surveyor to act on their behalf. The Act sets out rights and responsibilities in relation to costs. If it is necessary for Surveyors to be appointed, they prepare an "Award" to set out what has been agreed and responsibilities for costs. It is advisable to keep a copy of the Award with the property Deeds
Boundary Disputes
Disputes over boundary issues are potentially costly and acrimonious. Grumitt Wade have experience in advising on these issues and are frequently called upon by local solicitors to give advice. We strive to enable matters to be resolved without recourse to legal action but if required can act as Expert Witness and produce reports of evidence for use in legal proceedings.
CDM Coordination
The Construction (Design & Management) Regulations 2007 (CDM) governs the management of Health & Safety during construction, repair and maintenance. Some projects have to be notified to the Healthy & Safety Executive (HSE) and require the appointment of a CDM Coordinator (CDMC). We can advise which aspects of the regulations apply to any particular project and undertake the role of CDMC if necessary. The CDM Regulations impose legal responsibilities on clients to ensure adequate resources and management is in place for Health & Safety matters for construction projects. As CDMC, we work with clients to ensure that their obligations are met and this includes preparing a Health & Safety file to record information relevant to Health & Safety to be retained by the client for future reference.
DDA Access Audits
The Disability Discrimination Act 1995 (DDA) is intended to address discrimination against disabled people. An Access Audit is a means of examining the accessibility of services and facilities. Access Audits are frequently required to enable service providers to meet their DDA obligations and we are pleased to offer this as a service.
Contract Administration
On any size building works, we can write specifications, tender to contractors we use on a regular basis, write a tender report, instruct a contractor, produce contracts for signing, carry out periodic site visits during the project, certify interim payments, sign works off and agree the final account. Contract Administration is used on various types of contract, including maintenance works, extensions, new build and internal refurbishments. We have found that clients find this a less stressful way of organising building works.
Sussex Heights - Brighton
