Project Management on Property Extensions and Refurbishments

March 27, 2014 By

An old Pumping Station for rennovationIt is frequently seen on self build tv programmes when the building owner dispenses with their professional team and announces they are going to take on the role of the project manager.

Often with little or no experience. Generally the end result is unsatisfactory, with conflicts with the building contractor, a lack of technical understanding, projects going over budget or well beyond the contract period, contractors not getting paid, legal disputes and all manner of stress to everyday life.

In short being a project manager is hard work. So why not let a professional help – in the long term, it will save you money, time, stress and heartache.

How can a professional help?
By enlisting the services of a Chartered Building Surveyor you will receive guidance and knowledge that will help your project to run smoothly. You’ll receive no nasty surprises and the outcome will be a refurbishment, extension or renovation that will be an asset.

RMA Surveyors Ltd will act on your behalf to specify, design and manage the building works. In addition to certifying works, assessing costs and liaising with the building contractor at every stage. We will use our professional skill, expertise and understanding of buildings and construction to administer and manage building contracts. We will supervise the building contract to ensure a smooth running of the project and a satisfactory outcome for all involved.

The Process
Once a project (e.g. a refurbishment, extension or reinstatement) has been designed and specified, we begin the process of procurement, usually via competitive tender. We issue the tender documents to several building contractors, who provide a quote for the works. Once tenders are received, we make a recommendation as to which building contractor should be appointed. We ensure you have the best building contractor for the job, at the best price.

We then manage the construction phase of the project, chairing regular on-site meetings, dealing with any issues as they arise, valuing works and certifying stage payments, as well as monitoring the overall quality of the build.

Finally, we certificate works when they have been satisfactorily completed and ensure any outstanding issues are dealt with after completion.

For further information on whether RMA Surveyors Ltd can help with your project, give us a call on 01635 579208. See our project management page for further details.

Filed Under: Building pathology, building survey, Building Surveying, Construction, Newbury, Residential, RICS, West Berkshire Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Six Steps to a Party Wall Award

September 20, 2012 By

Party wallRecently we have had a number of requests for information regarding party wall procedure. With the aim of providing guidance the following is an overview of the basic procedure of serving Party Wall notices:

1. Firstly, do you need to issue a party wall notice? For the sake of argument let’s say you do. Do you know what type of notice needs to be served? A line of junction notice? A party structure notice? Or a notice of adjacent excavation? In some cases it may be just one in some cases it may be all three. This can easily be determined by any good Party Wall Surveyor who knows the Party Wall Act.

2. Secondly, on whom are you serving notice? Who is the freeholder? Are there any leaseholders? Does the proposed work affect more than one structure? If so, there are likely to be a number of parties to whom notice must be served.

3. With the aforementioned identified notice can be served. RMA Surveyors Ltd are often asked to become involved in Party Wall matters after notice has been served. Clients sometimes see an early saving being made by not appointing a Party Wall Surveyor, as the process seems simple at the outset. However, as the process develops it can become more complex and Building Owners seek to appoint Party Wall Surveyors to untangle the knots. We would say two things at this juncture. Firstly, fees for initial notice are usually minimal. Secondly, issue of the correct, properly drafted notices at the outset will save time. If a notice is not correct, it is invalid and another valid notice must be served. It can take two months before works can start from date of issue of a valid notice.

4. Valid notice is served to the Adjoining Owner. They now have fourteen days to respond. The adjoining owner can assent or dissent to the proposed works. If the adjoining owner does not respond in this period, works are deemed to be in dispute. If the Adjoining Owner agrees to works, the Building Owner may, by written agreement, proceed with works. We strongly recommend a condition survey of the Adjoining Owner’s property be undertaken prior to works commencing, to provide a benchmark and avoid later dispute.

5. If no response is received or the Adjoining Owner dissents to works the building owner will need to write to the adjoining owner to request they appoint a Party Wall Surveyor. The Adjoining Owner may opt to use the Surveyor appointed by the Building Owner. They may prefer to appoint their own Surveyor. In most cases the fee for the Adjoining Owner’s Surveyor will be borne by the Building Owner.

6. Once appointed the Agreed Surveyor or Surveyors should then work to draw up a Party Wall Award. A Party Wall Award is the framework whereby works affecting the party structure are to be executed. A condition survey of the Adjoining Owner’s property will be undertaken. Once the Party Wall Award is agreed and published works can commence from the date stated within the Award.

Please also see our Party Wall Pitfalls blog with more useful guidance about the Party Wall process.

Filed Under: building survey, Building Surveying, Landlords, Newbury, Party Wall Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Expert Insurance Claims Support for Property Owners

November 15, 2011 By
Cracked wall caused by impact damage. RMA Surveyors often deal with reinstatement of such damage.

At RMA Surveyors, we understand how overwhelming property insurance claims can be. Whether you’re dealing with fire, flood, or storm damage, we are here to guide you through every stage of the process. From initial damage assessments to reinstatement, we ensure that your claim is handled efficiently, and you receive the settlement you deserve.

What We Offer in Insurance Claims Support

We specialize in managing the complexities of insurance claims, helping property owners secure fair settlements and overseeing all necessary repairs. Our team handles everything from evaluating the damage and liaising with insurers to ensuring your property is restored to its original condition.

If you’re unsure about your next steps or need guidance, we’re here to help. Contact us today.

For general advice on insurance claims, visit the Association of British Insurers (ABI).

Why Choose Us?

Our expertise lies in making the claims process as smooth and stress-free as possible. With years of experience in property surveying and insurance claims reinstatement, we provide:

  • Accurate assessments of property damage to support your claim.
  • Clear, detailed reports that meet insurer requirements.
  • Expert professional expertise to specify, tender and administrate the building contract.
  • Oversight of repairs to ensure quality and compliance.

Find out more about our insurance reinstatement services.

Common Scenarios We Handle

We’ve successfully helped property owners recover from:

  • Fire Damage: Restoring properties affected by fire and smoke damage.
  • Flood Damage: Addressing water ingress and structural issues caused by flooding.
  • Storm Damage: Repairing roofs, windows, and other external elements damaged by severe weather.
  • Accidental Damage: Managing unexpected repairs caused by incidents such as vehicle collisions with buildings.
  • Criminal Damage: Refurbishments after properties have been abused by criminal enterprises.
  • Impact Damage: Repairs to properties after impact from vehicles.

No matter the scenario, our focus is on ensuring your property is restored quickly and efficiently.

For advice on insurance disputes, visit the Financial Ombudsman Service.

The Benefits of Working with RMA Surveyors

Choosing RMA Surveyors means gaining a trusted partner for your insurance claim. We ensure:

  • Precise Reporting: Our reports are detailed and reliable, forming a strong foundation for your claim.
  • Efficient Claim Management: We liaise directly with insurers to avoid delays.
  • Quality Assurance: Repairs are overseen to ensure they meet the highest standards.

Let us handle the complexities so you can focus on getting back to normal. Get in touch to discuss your insurance claim today.

Filed Under: Building Surveying, Insurance reinstatement Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,