Chartered surveying

Our building and quantity surveyors individually boast an average of 20 years experience. This foundation ensures that our clients receive carefully considered advice in a succinct, unambiguous manner.

For more information, please use the menu below or contact me.

Michael Whatford FRICS

Acquisition surveys

We provide potential investors, leaseholders and financiers as well as owners or tenants with a comprehensive assessment of a building's condition; tailored to the needs of each client. Our reports can include advice on matters such as lease provisions, service charges, cost relating to repair, refurbishment, maintenance and health and safety.
Adjudication and arbitration

When disagreements arise under building contracts these often need to be resolved either by referral to another party, through a recognised dispute resolution procedure or by mediation. We provide advice on the appropriate method for resolving a dispute including acting as mediators.

We act as adjudicator under the Housing Grants, Regeneration and Construction Act or as arbitrator under the Arbitration Act 1996.
Building surveys

Our Building Surveyors frequently undertake building surveys for a wide range of structures including multi storey buildings (commercial, industrial, residential and retail) through to individual substantial dwelling houses.
Clerks of works

Our clerks of works service can be tailored to different client requirements and can include visiting sites, commenting on construction issues such as specification compliance, progress, workmanship, weather stoppages as well as inspecting for defects prior to practical completion and handover.
Construction cost advice
By utilising our extensive experience of various building forms and using internal historic and externally published cost data information, we can provide comprehensive construction cost advice. We are regularly instructed by our clients on residential, commercial, industrial and listed buildings as cost and technical assessors, specifiers and contract administrators.

Construction decisions are often made by, or for, clients without a full appreciation of the factors affecting price and scheme feasibility. Our professional advice is beneficial in the following applications:
- Obtaining a well-researched appraisal for budgeting purposes.
- Preparing detailed estimate for design review and cost planning.
- Preparation of procurement documentation; ensuring tender packages reflect the client's brief, achieving value engineering principles and ensuring specifications embrace industry standards for quality.
- Recommending suitable forms of contract, performance bonds, etc.
- Advice on cash flow, programming and the cost of phasing and acceleration.
- Ensuring post contract financial management and audit, including the identification and pricing of legitimate variations and providing regular cost forecasts.
- Advising funders upon due diligence and scheme feasibility.
- Appreciation of the tax allowance opportunities within expenditure.
Contract administration

Our building and quantity surveyors perform the role of contract administrator under many forms of building contracts. They will monitor quality, costs and program schedules together with issuing contract instructions, agreeing variations and final accounts.
Contract disputes

We can act as expert witness and advisor in all areas of building contract disputes. Our adjudicators and arbitrators have considerable experience in, for example, dispute resolution and professional negligence claims.
Defects analysis and reparation advice

Our clients benefit from our comprehensive investigation, analysis and advice, which can include defective workmanship, design, construction and the use of materials and components. Our involvement is often extended to include the preparation of specifications and the monitoring and cost control of subsequent remedial work.
Defects disputes

Our chartered surveyors provide competent technical advice in the investigation, identification and remediation of defects to all building types. Our expertise extends to offering advice in defect dispute resolution.
Development appraisals

We can provide from initial inception, development appraisals utilising our extensive experience of various building forms and using internal historic and externally published cost data information. Through cost planning and value engineering, we will provide cost advice to assist the design and construction of the project within our client's budgetary constraints.
Development monitoring

Tenants who occupy a building on completion but are not a contractual party to its construction or refurbishment can benefit from our development monitoring service. We will make regular site visits to ensure that works are carried out in accordance with the contract documents and submit regular reports covering progress, variations and budgetary matters. We assist tenants and funders by ensuring that adequate contract documents are in place, including warranties and bonds.

We can act as technical auditors covering all aspects of building construction related work with an emphasis, but not exclusively, on design specification and cost.
Dilapidations
Our experience includes commercial, retail, leisure, industrial, residential and muliti-lease out of town commercial/retail properties. Our advice to landlords and tenants is based on a combination of experience and sound knowledge of legal issues. Our role can include:
- Advice on potential dilapidations' liability
- Preparation of interim and terminal schedules
- Assessing claims
- Reasoned negations
Employer's agents

We have extensive experience in acting as employer's agent for many of our clients dealing with design and build schemes ranging from small individual projects to multi-million pound consortia developments. Our expertise and flexible approach allows us to tailor the service we offer to each project.
Energy and environmental advice
calfordseaden can provide environmental advice on:
- BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method) offices
- Company environmental policy review/preparation
- Design brief review
- Energy and environmental audits of existing buildings/portfolios
- EcoHomes - the environmental rating for homes
We provide energy ratings: SAP, NHER, CO2 and BEPI our services include:
- Registered assessors for NHER ratings (both new and existing properties)
- Advice on improvements and pay back periods
- Design to affordable warmth targets
- Design to meet energy rating target for minimum cost
- Review of design by others
- Standard ratings
- Targeting of improvements
- Designs to meet specialised NHER/SAP ratings
- Stock energy profiling
We also undertake local authority planning and environmental assessments:
- We agree scoping with local authorities
- Establish site base line data
- Identify and quantify environmental impacts
- Produce environmental statements
- Propose/agree mitigation methods where applicable
Expert witness

We have considerable experience acting as Expert Witness in today's litigious climate and have an enviable success record. We have work closely with solicitors on many cases, ranging from Building Disputes to Professional Negligence claims.
Feasibility studies

We have a vast experience of all types of feasibility studies backed up by the skills of our architects, project managers and quantity surveyors. We think laterally and with care about all of our schemes, large or small.
Insurance evaluations and claims

We are regularly instructed by private and public clients on residential, commercial, retail, listed buildings and industrial property insurance claims as technical and cost claim assessors, specifiers and contract administrators on behalf of the insured. Amongst other heads of claim our experience includes claims on water damage, lightening strikes, weather, fire and subsidence.

We are also extensively involved in the preparation of reinstatement cost assessments for building insurance purposes for a wide range of property types. We will assist building users, insurance companies and loss adjusters with claims. Our objective, independent advice will often persuade both sides in a claims incident to accept a realistic settlement.
Land lead opportunities

We offer a service to our clients through land lead opportunities via agents, consultants, local authorities, contractors and developers in many cases based on the co-ordination of Section 106 Agreements under planning legislation.
Life cycle costing

Life cycle costing has grown in importance since the introduction of prolonged risk transfer schemes, such as Private Finance Initiative projects. Such projects have contract periods in excess of 20 years with the liability for maintenance and repair of buildings falling upon the service provider. Our life cycle costing experts can assist providers in formulating accurate assessments of future maintenance requirements / liabilities.
Maintenance

We are constantly involved in building and planned maintenance work. Our experience in these areas range across a wide variety of property types, including education, commercial, healthcare, residential and retail. We are also involved in numerous major repair schemes often undertaken with residents in occupation requiring detailed resident consultation and liaison, programming and planning.
Major repairs

We have been involved in numerous major repair projects including provision of pitched roofs over existing flat roofs, re-roofing generally, window replacement, brickwork/structural repairs, floor renewal/repairs, underpinning, replacement of central heating systems, kitchens and bathrooms, upgrading of thermal performance of buildings including over cladding. These works are often undertaken with residents in occupation requiring detailed residential consultation and liaison, programming and planning.
Measured surveys and drawings

Our Computer Aided Design technicians can provide measured surveys of single or multiple properties. These can range from basic outline drawings through to detailed layouts and elevations as a record of what exists or for use in preparing scheme for future proposals.
Partnering advice

Our partnering team advises on the different approaches, contract routes and procedures that partnering can take. The team is actively involved in facilitating workshops and advising clients on all aspects of partnering. We have adopted the following policy:

"calfordseaden will positively promote the benefits of construction partnering and, as a minimum on all projects, promote the use of the Construction Industry Board's partnering pact model"

We are involved in projects where a full-partnered approach has been adopted. Many of these have been instigated and procured via the partnering route with construction and design partners being selected on a best value basis in line with 'Egan' recommendations and the latest European Construction Institute guidelines.

We are committed to adopting the 'Egan' principles and are always prepared to work with our partner clients, constructors and design consultants to deliver performance improvements and meet the mutual objectives at the heart of the partnered approach.
Party wall matters

We understand the legislation governing Party Wall matters and can quickly evaluate the issues. We ensure your interests, whether as a Developer, Building or Adjoining Owner, are fully protected.

We have dealt with Party Wall Matters under The London Building Acts (Amendment) Act 1939 Part VI over many years in the Greater London Area. These services have been extended to our full geographical area of operation under the current procedures of the Party Wall Etc. Act 1996.

We act as Building Owner's Surveyor/Adjoining Owner's Surveyor or Third Surveyor. We often acted as the Agreed Surveyor.
Private finance initiative
We have technical advisors and project managers with PFI expertise currently working on a variety of PFI projects. As a multi-disciplinary practice, we are able to deliver technical advisory services on many aspects of the PFI process and assist in the overall delivery of the project.

The range of services calfordseaden are able to offer to both public and private partners are summarized below:

Project Inception Stages
- Housing Consultancy
- Assessment of building stock and condition including stock condition surveys, measured and full building surveys
- Advise on existing and preferred maintenance strategies
- Project Management of the PFI process
Outline Business Case (OBC), Memorandum of Information & Pre-Qualification Questionnaire (PQQ) Stages

Advise and provide technical input into the preparation of the Outline Business Case (OBC) to include:
- Option Appraisals
- Value for Money
- Risk Allocation
- Viability
- Public Sector Comparator including production of estimated build and whole life costings
Advise on housing, tenancy, programming and partnering
matters

Advise and provide technical input into the preparation of the Pre-Qualification Questionnaire and Memorandum of Information. Review and evaluate bidders responses to the PQQ

Interim Submission of Outline Proposals (ISOP), Invitation to Negotiate (ITN)/Tender (ITT) & Best and Final Offer (BAFO) Stages

Advise and provide technical input into the preparation of the ISOP, ITN and ITT documentation to include but not limited to:
- Design and Performance Criteria
- Output Specifications and Availability Standards
- Risk allocation and Evaluation of Bids Criteria
- Bid requirements and any other relevant technical factors
To interpret the ISOP, ITN and ITT documentation and assist the bidder with the delivery and provision of the following technical services:
- Assessment of building stock and condition
- Housing Consultancy
- Architectural design and space planning
- Planning and Conservation
- Masterplanning and programming
- Quantity surveying and whole life cost consultancy including net present value analysis
- Maintenance strategies and costings
- Facilities Management including advice on preferred maintenance strategies
- Project Management and Monitoring Services
- Service delivery plan covering all areas of the Partners full service responsibilities
Review and evaluate bidders proposals at ISOP, ITN/ITT and BAFO stages using the following evaluation criteria:
- Deliverability and fit for purpose
- Overall design and aesthetics of the proposals
- Compliance with the output specification and availability standards
- Performance and service delivery proposals
- Operation of the facility and Facilities Management proposals
- Security, safety, special needs and diasbled considerations
- Environmental impact
- Project Management
- Total Costings
Negotiate on behalf of and represent either party at the appropriate stages of negotiation.

Implementation of Contract & Post Contract Stages

On awarding of contracts and at any time during the contract period, the following technical services can be provided by the practice:
- Project Management, Monitoring and Due Diligence
- Cost Consultancy
- Contract Management and Contract Administration
- Construction Management and Employer's Agent
- Performance Monitoring
- Master Planning
- Planning Supervisory
- Condition Surveys and other building related services
- Clerk of Works Services
- Party Wall and Rights of Light Issues
- Architectural
- Building Surveying
Project and technical audits

We are frequently instructed to carry out projects and technical audits as part of our overall service.

Typically these comprise a technical appraisal of the proposed accommodation, design and/or construction planning of a building or project, to verify that it meets the client's standards. This may involve verification of compliance with the client's brief, checking of designs against funder's specifications, current legislation and statutory requirements, Lifetime Homes Accessibility Standards, Building Regulation Standards, Secured By Design Standards, etcetera.

This process normally includes a critical appraisal of internal layouts or external design features, with suggestions given where there is room for improvement in terms of usability, user friendliness or ease of maintenance. Value engineering and Lifetime Costing Reviews and Assessments are also part of this process.
Project management and co-ordination

We have extensive experience acting as project managers and/or co-ordinators for many of our clients dealing with projects ranging from small individual to complex multi-million pound schemes.

Our expertise and flexible approach allows us to tailor the services we offer to suit our clients' individual requirements. This can range from the full design and contract administration of projects in house, through to appointment and co-ordination of external design consultants.

Our project managers provide a single point of responsibility for clients to define their requirements in terms of project specification, time and budgetary constraints. We will manage and co-ordinate all parties on behalf of the client and deliver a quality building on time and within budget.
Quantity surveying

We provide the full range of Quantity Surveying services including but not limited to, procurement and contract advice, preparation of tender documentation, recommendations for interim payments, cost monitoring and final accounts.
Refurbishment

The refurbishment of properties often presents many difficulties, such as, access, identification of structural implications and programming. Our involvement in this sector includes projects ranging from single dwellings (including listed buildings) through to complex schemes for high rise blocks as part of stock transfers, estate action and regeneration projects.

We have extensive experience in working with residents in occupation and regularly liaise with them to minimise the inconvenience and disruption caused by the refurbishment of their accommodation.
Research

Research is the cornerstone of all our services and we specialise in finding solutions to our clients problems through enquiries to local authorities and scrutinizing archive and historical records. Research has also allowed us to develop new software solutions and to provide the fastest possible, best informed service to our clients.
Rights of lights

We offer advice on whether a Right of Light has been established, under the Prescription Act 1832 or by any other means. We also advise upon whether a proposed development will affect the Right to Light and by how much, using our specialised software.

We negotiate with adjoining owners to agree settlement of claims for damage or advise on the likelihood of obtaining an injunction against development as well as offering advice on the registration of notional screens under the Rights of Light Act 1959, to prevent a Right to Light from being acquired.
Schedule of conditions

As chartered surveyors we regularly undertake schedules of condition for a variety of purposes including annexure to a lease, part of a party wall agreement or simply to record what is existing.

Our schedules are formatted for ease of reference and are usually accompanied by photographs, sketches or video.
Special needs

We have been involved in a large number of projects for people with special needs and have considerable experience working with occupational therapists.
Structural appraisals

Our chartered surveyors are able to undertake appraisals on a variety of structures and can provide technical advice and guidance on issues likely to affect the structural integrity of a property. We can also call upon a number of specialists for advice ranging from the testing of materials for strength and composition through to the determination of complex structural problems.
Sunlight and daylight

These are not easements in the same way that a Right to Light is, but they are two of the many matters with which the Local Planning Authority (LPA) will concern themselves when considering Planning Applications. Development of land can result in significant changes to the amount of daylight reaching windows and, in residential areas, sunlight to gardens. The LPA can insist on alterations to the proposed development if it considers these changes are too great.

If you know the maximum height and size of a building that can be constructed without affecting your neighbour's light, you can significantly increase your chances of successfully obtaining planning consent.
Taxation advice
The majority of Corporate Tax Payers miss opportunities when acquiring property or incurring expenditure upon premises because available Tax Relief allowances are not fully exploited. There is significant tax advantage by examining expenditure, but many purchasers are either unaware of the benefits or experience problems when making claims.

In order to ensure that the value of allowances are maximised, we can:
- Examine the legal position affecting the claim - ideally prior to commencing work
- Prepare appropriate documentation of the premises for future reference in negotiations with the Inland Revenue
- Prepare a just appointment of expenditure in accordance with the relevant legislation and the requirements of the Inland Revenue but with the benefit of discretionary practices and extra statutory concessions that are available
- Examine lump sum figures to maximum advantage. (Newly constructed buildings, particularly Design and Build projects, often provide insufficient details)
- Interpret case law to claim certain 'grey' plant items for tax relief
We are able to assist in the examination and preparation of the above, with preliminary desktop studies undertaken on a non committal basis.
Topographical surveys

We advise our clients on the various types of topographical surveys which may be required for a proposed development or an existing structure. These surveys provide the necessary information for a design to be accurately prepared.
Urban regeneration

Our team of regeneration experts focus entirely on urban regeneration projects. One of their main roles is to pass on their knowledge and skills, internally and to our clients sharing information with all pro-active parties.

For many years we have actively been involved in raising deteriorated housing stock to a decent standard of accommodation. Our proven record attracts instructions on numerous large-scale and multi-faceted urban regeneration schemes.

Our housing consultants have specific expertise in urban and estate regeneration and work with housing organisations to identify social and physical problems and possible solutions.

We recognise that having the necessary skills and experience to ensure successful procurement and completion is an essential part of the investment required on schemes of this nature.
Value engineering

We compare and assess design solutions against our client's value systems to secure the best possible value for money in terms of safety, performance and delivery targets. Our service eliminates unnecessary costs within design and ensures that more effective and better quality buildings are constructed.