Navigating Challenges with Building Contractors: The Role of a Chartered Building Surveyor

A chartered surveyor inspecting a damaged ceiling caused during a building contract.

Managing construction projects can be complex, especially when dealing with challenging contractors. At RMA Surveyors, we emphasize the importance of engaging a chartered building surveyor experienced with standard building contracts, such as the JCT Minor Works Building Contract, to ensure project success.


The Importance of Standard Building Contracts

The Joint Contracts Tribunal (JCT) Minor Works Building Contract is designed for straightforward construction projects. It clearly defines the roles, responsibilities, and obligations of all parties involved, providing a structured framework that helps prevent misunderstandings and disputes.

Learn more about our services to see how we assist clients with construction contracts.

Preempting Issues During the Tender Stage

A chartered building surveyor plays a crucial role during the tender process by:

  • Evaluating Contractor Suitability: Assessing contractors’ past performance, resources, and capacity to handle the project.
  • Ensuring Contractual Clarity: Setting clear expectations regarding timelines, deliverables, and payment structures.

This thorough vetting helps eliminate unreliable contractors, setting the stage for a smoother project execution.

Effective Oversight During Construction

Even with a solid contract and a reputable contractor, challenges can arise. A chartered building surveyor provides:

  • Regular Site Inspections: Ensuring work aligns with agreed specifications and quality standards.
  • Progress Monitoring: Keeping the project on schedule and within budget.
  • Issue Resolution: Addressing problems promptly to prevent escalation.

Their expertise ensures that contractors adhere to contractual obligations, maintaining project integrity.

Mitigating Risks and Protecting the Employer

Engaging a chartered building surveyor offers significant benefits, including:

  • Risk Reduction: Identifying and mitigating potential issues early.
  • Minimized Liability: Ensuring the project complies with the contract and legal standards.
  • Smooth Project Completion: Overseeing every stage to ensure benchmarks are met.

Contact us to discuss how we can support your construction project.

Don’t let challenging contractors derail your construction project. With RMA Surveyors, you gain a trusted professional to oversee the process and minimize disputes. Get in touch today to find out how we can help.

Dilapidations at Milton Park: Dilapidations Expertly Overcome!

Inside a warehouse unit where RMA surveyors successfully engaged on a Dilapidations instruction at Milton Park, Didcot.

Dilapidations at Milton Park, tenants faced significant challenges during the lease-end process. They were concerned about high dilapidations costs and potential disputes. RMA Surveyors stepped in to provide expert guidance, ensuring a fair resolution and smooth restoration of the property.

The Problem: Overwhelming Dilapidations Costs

The tenants had leased a commercial property for several years. As the lease approached its end, the landlord issued a Schedule of Dilapidations. This document outlined repairs and reinstatement works the tenants were required to complete. The total cost of the proposed works seemed excessive. Understandably, the tenants were worried about the financial burden and potential legal conflicts.

What Are Dilapidations?

Dilapidations refer to repairs, restorations, or reinstatement works required at the end of a lease. The landlord uses the Schedule of Dilapidations to outline these obligations. Failure to address the schedule can lead to disputes or even legal action. Learn more about our Dilapidations Services.

The Solution: Expert Guidance and Fair Outcomes

RMA Surveyors acted quickly to support the tenants. Our team reviewed the Schedule of Dilapidations thoroughly. We identified areas where the claims exceeded what was reasonable under the lease agreement. Using our expertise, we negotiated directly with the landlord’s surveyor. This process reduced the total costs and ensured the tenants only paid for legitimate works.

Steps Taken by RMA Surveyors for Dilapidations at Milton Park

We examined the original lease to determine the tenant’s exact obligations. Our team inspected the property to verify the accuracy of the landlord’s claims. We worked with the landlord’s surveyor to reach a fair agreement, saving the tenants significant costs. Contact us for expert support with lease-end negotiations.

Results: A Fair Settlement and Property Restoration

Thanks to our intervention, the tenants achieved a fair settlement. They avoided unnecessary expenses while meeting their obligations under the lease. The property was restored to an acceptable condition, allowing the landlord to re-let it promptly. Both parties were satisfied with the outcome, demonstrating how professional support makes a difference in dilapidations cases.

Why Choose RMA Surveyors to help resolve your Dilapidations at Milton Park or further afield?

Inside a warehouse unit where RMA surveyors successfully engaged on a dilapidations instruction at Milton Park, Didcot.

At RMA Surveyors, we specialize in helping tenants and landlords resolve lease-end disputes. Here’s why clients trust us. Expertise: Our team has extensive knowledge of lease agreements and dilapidations law. Results-Driven: We focus on achieving cost-effective and fair outcomes. Comprehensive Support: From initial assessments to final negotiations, we guide you every step of the way. Read more about our services.

If you’re facing a dilapidations dispute, let us help. Contact RMA Surveyors today for professional advice. Protect your interests and achieve a resolution that works for you.


Further Reading and Resources

  1. Dilapidations Protocol – Property Litigation Association: Learn about the framework governing dilapidations claims.
  2. Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS): Guidance on dilapidations and lease-end obligations.
  3. Landlord and Tenant Act 1954: Legal background on leases and tenant obligations.

Expert Support in High-Value Building Insurance Claims

Expert Support in High-Value Building Insurance Claims

Before: An office space that suffered malicious damage after being converted to a cannabis factory by a drug cartel.

For property owners facing significant damage, navigating an insurance claim over £100,000 can be daunting. RMA Surveyors offers an experienced, independent service for high-value insurance reinstatement claims, providing a more efficient, thorough, and client-focused alternative to insurer-appointed adjusters. With extensive experience handling claims in Berkshire, Oxfordshire, and London, RMA Surveyors is committed to ensuring policyholders receive quality results with expert guidance every step of the way.

The Benefits of Choosing Independent Advice

Unlike insurer-appointed loss adjusters who may prioritize the insurer’s interests, RMA Surveyors works exclusively to advocate for the client. From the initial assessment to final repairs, our surveyors provide unbiased and detailed advice, collaborating with reputable contractors to manage repairs in line with the policyholder’s needs. By using a proven network of contractors, we ensure higher quality repairs, efficient timelines, and accountability, which can be harder to guarantee with insurer-recommended contractors. Learn more about the benefits of working with an independent chartered surveyor.

Experience That Makes a Difference

After: The office space after successfully being reinstated through an insurance claim administered by RMA Surveyors.

Our experience with high-value claims is extensive and includes a range of complex scenarios. We understand the intricacies of the claims process and the importance of managing every detail carefully. With RMA Surveyors, clients benefit from our ability to foresee challenges, coordinate effectively with contractors, and maintain quality control at every stage. This is especially critical for claims in excess of £100,000, where precision and timely completion can make a substantial difference in the outcome.

Accountability, Quality, and Value

Our approach prioritizes transparency, accountability, and consistent communication, setting us apart in the industry. RMA Surveyors maintains rigorous standards in every project, working with contractors who are chosen not only for their technical skills but also for their commitment to timely and high-quality work. This ensures clients receive excellent value, minimizing risks associated with delays, additional costs, or inadequate repairs. Unlike many in-house loss adjusters, we are not bound by restrictive agreements, giving us full control over project standards and empowering us to achieve better results for our clients.

A Client-Centred Approach to Reinstatement

At RMA Surveyors, we believe that clients deserve a smooth, well-managed process that respects their time, budget, and property. By eliminating unnecessary layers of bureaucracy, we streamline the claims experience and deliver a comprehensive, client-centred service that focuses on each client’s unique needs. We provide detailed updates and thorough documentation throughout the claim and repair process, helping clients understand every aspect of their claim and ensuring their expectations are met.

Why RMA Surveyors?

Serving Berkshire, Oxfordshire, and London, RMA Surveyors has a well-established reputation for delivering a superior claims experience, especially in high-value scenarios. Our dedication to quality, transparency, and client satisfaction ensures that each claim is handled with the care and attention it deserves. By choosing RMA Surveyors, clients receive the benefit of our regional knowledge, technical expertise, and a commitment to results that align with their best interests.

If you have an insurance claim that needs professional management, contact RMA Surveyors. As a trusted chartered building surveying company, RMA Surveyors provides expert, independent guidance to help you achieve the best possible outcome for your claim.


Further Reading and Resources

  1. Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS): Information on RICS standards and qualifications for chartered surveyors.
  2. Association of British Insurers (ABI): Learn more about the insurance claims process and industry practices.
  3. Financial Ombudsman Service: Guidance on addressing complaints about your insurer’s handling of a claim.

Successful Insurance Reinstatement Project in Oxfordshire

Masonry repairs to exterior of building in Oxfordshire.

At RMA Surveyors, we recently completed a significant insurance reinstatement project in Oxfordshire, where we acted as contract administrators for a client dealing with damage caused by ground movement. The external walls of the property were compromised due to shrinkable clay subsoil and nearby trees, which led to ground-related movement—a common issue in parts of Oxfordshire and Berkshire.

Our client faced a protracted discussion with insurance loss adjusters who initially sought to minimize the claim. However, at RMA Surveyors, we pride ourselves on delivering logical and pragmatic solutions to challenging problems. In this case, our team provided a robust technical response, supporting the client every step of the way.

Instead of opting for a more disruptive underpinning approach, we proposed and executed a reinforcement solution. This method involved installing wall reinforcements to stabilize the structure without resorting to significant foundation work. Our comprehensive specification, built from our extensive experience in similar projects, provided a cost-effective and practical solution to the identified structural issues.

Masonry and render repairs underway to residential property near Didcot.

We liaised with insurance loss adjusters, presenting technical justifications and robust evidence to ensure that the rightful claim was fully supported. After extensive negotiations, the project was approved, and we oversaw the completion of the work using a high-quality local contractor. The project was completed on time, and the client was left with a fully reinstated property, ready to face the future with increased resilience.

This project highlights the importance of having knowledgeable and experienced contract administrators like RMA Surveyors to oversee insurance reinstatement works. Our ability to provide expert support through negotiations with insurers, alongside our technical expertise, ensures that our clients receive the full benefit of their insurance policies and the best possible outcome for their properties.

Wall repairs to a bungalow in Oxfordshire overseen by RMA Surveyors.

Based near Didcot, we cover a wide area including Oxford, the broader Oxfordshire region, Berkshire, and into London. Our team of surveyors is equipped to handle a variety of complex building projects, ensuring that our clients receive high-quality service no matter where they are located.

If you’re facing a similar situation or need contract administration for your insurance reinstatement property project, don’t hesitate to contact RMA Surveyors. Our expertise and pragmatic approach ensure that your project will be handled professionally and efficiently, from start to finish.