Building Surveys

Building surveys in Chester

Building Surveys in Chester

Comprehensive building inspections and reports

We are chartered building surveyors with a long history of advising on building defects and design issues. We can carry out a detailed structural inspection of your building and provide you with an accurate report on any structural defects. At BDS Consultants we can also suggest suitable measures to report on defects, advise on repairs, etc all at the earliest opportunity.

For more information or for a free quotation for a building survey, get in touch with us today.

We can provide you with many building related reports:

Building surveys
Defect reports for cracks in buildings
Defect diagnoses
Expert reports
Potential causes of dampness
Water penetration issues

Architectural design

Party walls

Building Surveys

There are many types of surveys and reports that a Building Owner might need and we try to help and guide you on all sorts of building matters. We are

Defect Reports
Condition Surveys
Photographic records
Measured Surveys
Preventative Maintenance Reports
5 or 10 year Maintenance plans
Asset Management Surveys

There are many types of surveys and reports that a Building Owner might need and we try to help and guide you on all sorts of building matters. We are

Defect Diagnosis

Defects in construction can occur for a variety of reasons from initial design, poor materials or workmanship to lack of maintenance, sometimes it is simply that a product has reached the end of its life.

Due to the complex variety of buildings and the materials used for properties, defects come in all shapes and sizes. Together with the climate in the UK and the way a building is used, defects can be just unsightly to very dangerous and sometimes it can be hard to tell.

If you need expert advice on dampness, cracks in walls or floors, roofs that are leaking, timber rotting or a host of other issues we are here to help. In the past we have been asked to visit properties and report on all these problems and more. From flaking paint, black mould, failing windows, staining to walls, uneven floors and cracking we can help.

Concrete Cracking could be a sign of corrosion of steel that needs testing to see the cause before a suitable treatment can be recommended. Is it caused by initial lack of concrete cover, Carbonation of the concrete or even Chlorides in the concrete? We can do an initial appraisal and advise on whether further specialist tests are needed.

Is this Dry Rot or Wet Rot growth, what is it feeding on and how should it be removed? We aim to provide you with answers to help.

This is typical of dampness in a property but is it caused by rising damp or could it be condensation. We can test the atmosphere in the house to see if there is a likelihood of condensation and the risk a property faces from it. We can chat about the living conditions and what might need to change to make a difference. Sometimes the dampness is cause by a leaking gutter, a window, cracks in the walls or the like penetrating through the structure.

If you have cracks in your building either externally or within the building you should take notice and get them checked out but there are several things you can do first. One such thing would be to mark with a pencil the end of the crack on the wall and the date. You can then check it regularly to see if it is changing.

Asset Management Surveys

Asset Management Surveys state what is wrong with a building, itemising and prioritising the defects into a plan to manage the defects and bring the building back to good condition over a 5 year period. Condition surveys give you a picture of the defects and problems of the building so you can make informed decisions going forward. Estimate costs can be useful to help give an idea on the investment needed to bring or keep an asset in good order.

Preventative Maintenance Reports
5 or 10 year Maintenance plans
Asset Management Surveys

Building Disputes

Contractors sometimes take on tasks that they think they understand but often make mistakes that they cover up. Mistakes can multiple and you can end up with a building that needs serious work. If you are going to have an extension or carry out structural work like removing walls or having a loft conversion use a building professional to minimise the risk of expensive repairs. Your building is probably the most expensive thing you own and taking care of it is important.

If you have a project where the work seems to be to a poor standard you might want a report.

Poor workmanship comes in many different forms. This shows the level running in a horizontal manner from the left hand side of the double door architrave towards the single door behind the camera. A ridge can be seen approximately 530 mm from the architrave. The plaster then runs out from that ridge and in the next 330 mm an 11 mm gap is formed meaning the plasterwork is out of plane by 11 mm in 330 mm.

Damp meter readings from floor showing moisture was entering the building from the below. We can advise on ways of eliminating the dampness or helping to manage and control it going forward.

For reliable structural surveys and reports in Chester, contact BDS Consultants on

01244 554 462