calfordseaden has recently been appointed by Mears Limited (social housing repairs and maintenance provider) to provide building surveying services for the external refurbishment of a number of residential buildings on behalf of Brighton and Hove City Council.

Mears Limited is successfully working in partnership with the City Council to refurbish and upgrade the council's housing stock, with a planned programme of works extending to ten years.

The stock comprises low-rise, up to three storeys in height, traditionally constructed blocks of flats to a 17-storey concrete panel block of flats close to the seafront.  All of the properties are located in highly visible and exposed locations.

Working closely with Mears Limited's representatives and other appointed consultants, to ensure that the programme of works and budgets are met, we have carried out detailed surveys of the external fabric and, following agreement of the necessary works, prepared specifications and detailed working drawings.  This information has enabled Mears to obtain competitive quotations from selected sub-contractors to carry out the works.

Part of the refurbishment works includes the over‑cladding of the blocks with various forms of insulated render or rainscreen cladding.  We have liaised closely with the preferred suppliers to ensure that the selected finishes receive full planning approval from the local planning authority in sufficient time.

We are also currently obtaining full building regulation approval for all of the notifiable works, which include:

• renewal of windows;
• over‑cladding;
• replacement roof coverings;
• concrete repairs; and
• the construction of a new boiler house to contain a new boiler plant.

For further information contact:

Stephen Cotterell

at our Orpington office

T   01689 888222

E   scotterell@calfordseaden.co.uk