Project: Burrington Estates
Richard Gibbons
Corporate Finance Director
Our comprehensive range of services is tailored to each client’s needs, and we are specialists in adapting to changes throughout a building’s lifecycle. Our services include:
Naismiths excels in building surveys, showcasing a commitment to thorough inspections, construction analysis, and the creation of clear, concise reports.
The team – all members of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) – specialises in objectively assessing building condition. We provide bespoke reports, meticulously crafted by surveyors without relying on standard forms.
Offering a range of building survey types, each report is fully customised to meet specific client requirements, ensuring they receive tailored insights and information to match their investment or strategic aims.
Tailored pre-acquisition surveys are undertaken to assess the technical risks for property acquisitions. Through leading due diligence teams and professional advisors, we provide a fully co-ordinated report with comprehensive, actionable advice.
We act for commercial property landlords – and tenants – to assess the costs of restoring a property to its original condition when the lease ends, in line with the lease requirements and current legislation. We conduct a detailed analysis of the building and produce a schedule of costs for restoration work, for example stripping out the partitions in an office, redecorating the space, and testing the electrical system. For tenants, we will analyse the landlord’s claim and negotiate on their behalf to ensure their interests are protected. We also have mechanical and electrical engineers to ensure all building services matters are carefully reviewed.
We can negotiate with the other side’s surveyors over the costs involved and use our skills to avoid a protracted legal situation, in line with the RICS Dilapidations Protocol.
We inspect buildings for any possible defects that need attention, such as damp, cracking, decaying structures, leaking roofs and drainage issues. We then recommend remedial works or further specialist investigations – and can put this out to tender ourselves and oversee the resulting works as the project manager.
Subject to the lease being entered into, a tenant must have a detailed record of a building’s condition when they first move in, whether it’s a new office, shop, warehouse or other business premises. It provides a photographic ‘snapshot’ in time that links to any future dilapidations advice – helping with potential disagreements over any defects – and resulting cost and damages mitigation.
Our team goes beyond simply commissioning reports, taking on a managerial role in property transactions with a specialism in portfolio instructions. This includes agreeing report requirements and end user specifics, establishing project timescales, and handling details like access arrangements and quality monitoring whilst ensuring consistency of reporting and approach and logistical issues around business operations and local sensitivities.
We work with developers and property owners to ensure that building work does not compromise the structural integrity of any shared wall, structure or adjoining properties, for example if a townhouse is being converted to offices. Our party wall specialists can act for both sides to ensure that all work is properly recorded and everyone involved with a legal interest has the right protections.
Clients investing large sums in a building or portfolio need us to thoroughly assess the suitability of the assets and any potential risks involved. We analyse a building’s physical condition and use RAG status reporting to identify the ‘traffic light’ levels of urgency – red, amber or green – and advise accordingly on risk mitigation measures.
We check all the statutory paperwork, including the electrical certification, gas safety, lift servicing and the relevant planning permissions and building regulations, as well as any other areas of documentation that may be relevant within the data room. We also provide due diligence for vendors selling assets such as apartment blocks, hotel chains and data centres – potential buyers need to know the risks and future costs involved in the investment.
The team manages building maintenance costs proactively, ensuring thorough reviews, effective planning, and collaboration with specialists, preventing emergency repairs and disruptions.
We draw up schedules to advise clients about the need for regular and routine maintenance of their assets, identifying timescales and costs. These can cover external repairs or common parts such as refurbishments and replacing the boilers, commonly extending over 10 years with identified actions and budgetary costs each year.
This process can help a client’s facilities management contracting service to prioritise a list of liabilities. Naismiths can act as project managers for the work, tendering and appointing contractors and then ensuring the work is completed to an extremely high standard.
From institutional investors, funders, banks and developers to private investors and individuals, occupiers and property managers, we help you to understand the potential risks involved in the buildings you invest in, occupy or manage.
Our highly-skilled team understands the building surveying sector in great detail. Our expertise is underpinned by years of experience and we have helped clients with a wealth of different challenges.
At Naismiths, we recognise how important it is to hear directly from our clients. Testimonials play a vital role in the work we deliver and reinforce the trust we build with every project. By sharing their experiences, our clients help us maintain the highest standards whilst supporting the continued growth and long-term success of our business.
Achieving successful project outcomes depends on meticulous planning, effective scheduling, and continuous monitoring. Our key strategies include:
Read MoreOur team has extensive experience with real-time risk management and safeguarding our clients’ commercial interests in difficult circumstances. We provide clarity and insight on complex technical issues, work to protect clients’ funds and recoup amounts receivable in the most efficient and effective manner possible
Read MoreCost Consultancy is the cornerstone of our legacy and through ongoing modernisation and innovation, it continues to be a vital aspect of our business.
Read MoreOur Mechanical and Electrical Consultants specialise in building services, focusing on energy efficiency and reducing CO2 emissions while lowering energy costs for clients.
Read MoreIn today's competitive market, project management involves leadership, teamwork, innovative solutions, delivery, and accountability.
Read MoreAs global efforts to tackle climate change intensify, adopting sustainable business models is essential for organisations to reduce both costs and environmental impact in our pursuit of a Net Zero Carbon future.
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