THERE’S NO TIME TO DELAY BOOKING YOUR SURVEY!
July 2024
Chartered Building Surveyor James Barron has urged people needing a pre-purchase survey not to delay booking. With a current worldwide shortage of surveying professionals, many chartered surveying companies are booked up weeks in advance.
And now that the election is over, businesses are pressing on with work with more certainty. This will only lead to more activity and potential delays in surveys.
James, who runs Barron Surveying Services in Plymouth, is no exception and the issue is compounded by the fact there is a particular shortage in his area of expertise - residential property surveying,
“The major problem this is creating is that many buyers will complete on a purchase without the benefit of a survey, as they are unable to find a surveyor who can deliver the service within their timescale,” said James. “The dangers of this are obvious. Buyers need to be aware of any major issues that could affect a property’s value before they complete their sale, otherwise they could be landed with an expensive repair after they have moved in.”
James is fully booked for several weeks in advance, so his advice is simple.
“It is vital people book their survey in plenty of time, ideally as soon as there is a commitment to purchase,” he said. “It is simple to defer a survey, but much harder to book one in at the last minute.”
ENJOYING A WELCOME RISE IN BLOCK MANAGEMENT SUPPORT WORK
February 2024
Chartered building surveyor James Barron is often supporting block management companies who work under the auspices of the Association of Residential Letting Agents (ARLA). The companies use his experience and expertise in a whole range of activities to ensure the successful upkeep of their buildings and that they are always meet the necessary legal requirements.
James will assist the businesses in drawing up planned maintenance schedules and helping to put budgets in place for any renewals and repair work that might be required in the future. He will also help identify which maintenance tasks need to be prioritised so the companies can work as efficiently and cost effectively as possible.
"Increasingly, management companies are seeing the benefit of outsourcing certain elements of their work to chartered building surveyors and I am delighted that many of them have been choosing our services," said James.
Barron Surveying Services Ltd supports ARLA members in a variety of areas, such as:
· Identifying both planned and routine maintenance requirements
· Budgeting for future repairs and renewals
· Prioritising maintenance tasks for efficiency and cost effectiveness
· Supporting clients on a range of insurance needs
· Carrying out inspections to assess building condition
· Helping to source contractors for routine maintenance, such as painting and decorating
· On site project management support to ensure successful delivery of requirements
"As you can see, with such a weight and number of requirements that building management companies are facing, it clearly makes sense to seek the additional professional support and expertise we can provide," added James.
HOT TIPS TO GUARD AGAINST WINTER PROPERTY WOES
JANUARY 2024
Take the worry out of your winter property woes! That’s the message from Chartered Building Surveyor James Barron, who is urging people to make sure their homes are properly protected during the winter months.
James is sharing his top tips on energy saving and also ensuring appliances are working efficiently – and safely.
“This is probably the most important check to carry out, as appliances such as gas fires and boilers, can pose a danger if not properly maintained,” said James. “Making sure you get such appliances serviced by a qualified and industry registered professional is a fundamental part of any winter checklist. That also includes properly functioning carbon monoxide sensors to alert you to any leak. They are just as vital as smoke alarms.”
Alongside safety checks, James said that with the continuing focus on improving carbon footprints, it is also important to make your home as energy efficient as possible which, in turn, will save money on bills.
A key element of this is ensuring there is the correct amount of loft insulation and checking that loft tanks, pipes and water cylinders are all properly insulated against the cold. Heat can also be lost through windows that haven’t been properly draught proofed too.
Outside, James urges homeowners to make sure they get chimney stacks and flashings checked, to ensure they are waterproof and also assess downpipes and gutters for signs of water leaks. In this situation, water can leak onto footpaths where it can present a slip hazard in freezing weather.
“It is also important to remember though that condensation can be an issue over the winter months, so heat saving measures must work alongside improved loft and general ventilation to help tackle that too,” added James.
SEPTEMBER 2023
TRUST IN THE RICS CHARTERED SURVEYOR – THE HOME OF TRANSPARENCY AND INTEGRITY
Get the right survey from the right kind of surveyor with the best credentials, that’s the message from Chartered Building Surveyor James Barron.
He also urges those people looking to purchase a property to instruct their chosen surveyor as early as possible. “It is great to report that the ongoing economic uncertainty that impacted on the property market earlier in the year seems to have given way to a steady flow of house surveys recently, a clear sign people are still wanting to move home,” said James, who runs Barron Surveying Services with wife Sara. “What that does mean though is our diary gets filled up quickly, which is why it is extremely important not to leave booking your survey to the last minute.”
Equally important, in James’ opinion, is that people do their homework and make sure they choose the right level of survey for the property they intend to buy. He also recommends always choosing a chartered surveyor accredited by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS).
Although Barron Surveying only offer the Level 3 Building Survey, so clients get a complete picture of their intended purchase, they are always open and honest, advising every potential client that other surveys are available.
“We only do the Level 3 Building Survey as I don’t like being restricted in any way on the information I can give to the client, but it would be extremely unprofessional as a business not to advise prospective customer that they do have alternatives,” said James. “That’s why we highlight the Mortgage Valuation and Home Buyer surveys, as well as linking to the RICS’s own page - so they can make an informed judgement. https://www.ricsfirms.com/residential/moving-home/buying/helping-you-choose-the-right-survey/ . What’s most important is ensuring you get the most suitable survey for the type of property you intend to buy. The Level 3 is the ‘thoroughbred’ of surveys, and suitable for all types of property.”
James said that RICS accreditation was a mark of excellence giving clients total peace of mind that they are receiving a service of the highest professional standards. Like fellow chartered surveyors, James must submit to an annual audit to ensure he continually meets the required standards. He must also commit to ongoing professional development, so he stays up to date with the latest skills and knowledge required.
“It is important that we are as open as we can be and have explained the nature of the services we offer is as much detail and with as much clarity as possible.”
JULY/AUGUST 2023
EXTERNAL DECORATIONS PROJECT REACHES COMPLETION
Barron Surveying Services Limited has been working on this historic building in Plymouth city centre. It had former education use, but is now converted into flats. It has a very attractive stone front façade which is prone to dampness from exposed brick chimney stacks, as well as weathered sandstone and limestone. We prepared a detailed survey and scope of works, and worked alongside the building's Managing Agent to bring the project to a reality.
Work started in the spring and the contractor was blessed with excellent weather conditions for pointing repairs, external painting and application of specialist stone and brick water repelling solutions.
We undertook regular site inspections and worked alongside the appointed contractor to overcome the difficulties as they came. The end result is a much improved external appearance, with weather resistance which should last for many years to come!
We received feedback from our Client to say that "everyone at the building seems delighted with the end result, in no small part due to the excellent working relationship between the contractor and James Barron, and their combined commitment to this long-awaited project. Big thanks all round!".
JULY 2023
PUTTING A SPOTLIGHT ON A DIVERSE PORTFOLIO OF CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS
Chartered Building Surveyor James Barron is putting the spotlight on a number of his key projects this month to illustrate the scope and diversity of his company’s professional services.
The construction industry in the South West continues to recover from the recent global pandemic. A huge amount of construction activity was ‘put on hold’ and a backlog of projects now needs to be delivered.
If that was not complex enough, that delivery is with a background of a fundamental skills shortage in construction across both construction trades and construction management.
Those issues are having a significant effect on contractors’ resourcing and, inevitably, price.
Over the last 18 months Barron Surveying Services has been heavily involved with an external and internal block refurbishment project for a major social housing provider. This project has formed part of that Client’s carbon efficiency agenda, providing external wall insulation and new windows together with an attractive ‘face lift’ of an elderly post-war structure. This month we are delighted to have seen completion of that project.
We continue to work alongside numerous property management agencies across the South West. This month has also seen the completion of a successful re-roofing project in Plymouth city over a substantial converted building arranged as self-contained flats. The property is located on a steep hillside, requiring extensive scaffolding. Because of Covid delays, the complex roof slopes at this property have been patched over many years and a comprehensive roof re-covering was well overdue. We undertook full design, tendering and contract administration and are delighted that this building now has a new building regulations compliant and guaranteed roof covering, providing longevity for many years to come.
This month has also seen the start of a very substantial external repair and decoration project on a Grade II Listed building in Stoke. The property is being decorated in phases to assist budget management for stakeholders. The contractor is appointed and the work has recently started on site. We have undertaken full design and tendering and are looking forward to performing contract administration duties as this project rolls through its phases over the next 5 months.
We are looking forward to continuing to work with our Clients and the contracting industry on the delivery of these projects amongst others with which we have been entrusted. There is no doubt that the skills shortage currently affecting the construction industry will continue to have implications for resources and costs for the foreseeable future. Arguably, there has never been a better time to take up a career in property or construction. There are certainly plenty of opportunities for anyone with a professional attitude and a willingness to work hard.
APRIL 2023
PROPERTY INSPECTIONS FROM BARRON SURVEYING - THEY HAVE GOT IT ALL COVERED!
Chartered Building Surveyor James Barron has put his property inspections services in the video spotlight and promised both prospective and existing clients that the company has everything covered. In the video, which can be found at https://www.barronsurveying.co.uk/property-inspections James gives a brief overview of what potential issues the inspection service covers, as well as the statutory requirements.
“Video is one of the key elements I wanted to feature on our new website as it gives those visiting the site, and in particular our service pages, a quick and easy guide to what everything entails,” said James of Plymouth-based Barron Surveying Services Ltd.
“I think it is important that our web presence is as interactive as possible, and the videos are a fundamental part of that.”
The company will be promoting the video and the key elements of its property inspections across its social media platforms, to raise awareness.
The video outlines the full scope of what the inspection covers. Including such issues as cracks in walls, structural movements, storm damage or problems with windows and doors. James also talks about the legal responsibilities he can help clients with, such as those relating to fire risk assessments, asbestos surveys and insurance assessments.
He also stresses the company’s commitment to not only meeting, but exceeding client expectation and that they can always rely on a receiving a professional, independent and impartial service.
“Whatever service we are delivering, it is always 100 per cent client focused. We are only interested in looking after their best interests,” added James.
