Building Surveying

Our team is made up of highly experienced and well qualified surveyors who understand how to use the latest technology to create effective results for our clients

Building surveying for large corporate clients and private individuals

Building Surveyors are a crucial member of the construction team, undertaking the design and specification of buildings, advising architects and builders on maintenance procedures, keeping safety standards high, advising on tenders and contractors, and much more. Wearing many hats from safety analyst to quality controller and from energy specialist to project manager with even a bit of historian thrown in is all part of the day-to-day role we carry out.

We provide a wide range of services, including condition surveys on existing buildings, the design and specification of new-build and refurbishment projects, space planning and the administration of building contracts.

In addition, our in-house team is able to provide specialist services in the areas of party wall issues and defect diagnosis.

Sound expertise and innovative technology

Our team is made up of highly experienced and well qualified surveyors who understand how to use the latest technology to create effective results for our clients.

Through our longstanding partnerships with SSE and SGN we have developed particular expertise working within the gas and electricity supply sector, however our team works across all industries to deliver a high standard of service.

Party Walls

A wall is a “party wall” if it stands astride the boundary of land belonging to two (or more) different owners or if it stands wholly on one owner’s land, but is used by two (or more) owners to separate their buildings.

The Party Wall etc. Act 1996 applies to all property owners throughout England and Wales and aims to avoid situations that may frustrate the construction process and is important both in assisting those who wish to carry out building work as well as protecting those who may be affected by it.

The process starts with the mandatory serving of notices and, through the appointment of surveyors, results in the production of a legally binding and enforceable ‘award’ between the parties which clearly sets out their rights and responsibilities.

The Act provides an efficient framework by which appointed surveyors may take a practical and impartial approach to avoid and resolve disputes.

Glanville has over 20 years of wide-ranging experience in this area and can assist with all schemes from small domestic projects to large commercial developments.

We undertake pre-construction site assessments, provide practical advice, identify the relevance of the Act to adjoining owners and also act as Building Owner’s, Adjoining Owner’s or Agreed Surveyor where required.

Oversailing Licenses

On a tight construction site, the use of a tower crane or an oversailing scaffold may be the only way to safely maximise the use of that site or access parts of an existing building.

Under English law, most landowners own the airspace above as well as the ground below their land and, without their consent, an oversail of their land for any reason will be trespass.

The Party Wall etc. Act 1996 and the Access to Neighbouring Land Act 1992 provide for access in certain situations. Where they do not apply permission for access over adjacent land must be given expressly. This is usually achieved by way of a formal licence agreement for the oversail.

Without a licence an owner can apply to obtain an injunction to prevent or remove the trespass without needing to show that any damage has been caused.

Our team has extensive experience of liaising with all parties, or their representatives, to negotiate a licence. We also prepare and agree on schedules of conditions to supplement the licence and provide added protection in cases where allegations of damage could be made by the adjacent landowner.