• We specialize in all aspects of building condition, working with all building types and ages, although condition is invariably age-related.
  • Operate across the surveying spectrum from pre/post purchase building condition surveys through to monitoring large buildings/estates over multiple years.
  • Assess the structural capabilities of historic/in situ timber.
  • Carry out chemical analysis of masonry/mortar, identify timber species, and identify fungi either in-house or through air sampling techniques via a professional oncologist.
  • Assess building environment through monitoring system design, data retrieval and analysis.
  • Advise on remediation of historic buildings following catastrophic events such as fire or flood.
  • Undertake expert witness work.
  • Lecture in a range of subjects as part of formal education courses or CPDs
  • Consult on the design and specification of work on buildings with statutory protection, advising on repair techniques and materials.

What is Scientific Assessment?

Scientific assessment requires the measurement of all available and relevant variables. This could involve, for example, recording moisture levels of building elements and/or internal environments, chemical analysis of masonry/timber/minerals, recording growth levels of bio deterioration organisms. Observation and acquired data can then be interpreted or screened through prior events and building uses.

This is a multidisciplinary field, requiring a thorough understanding not just of building science, but of entomology (the study of insects), mycology (the study of fungi) and of the physics and chemistry of wood, water and air.

When determining how water is moving through subsoil and masonry, an understanding of geology, petrology (the study of rocks) and fired earth (bricks and mortar) is also essential. Archival and desktop supplementary research is also often necessary.

I think that’s everything…

People Who Engage Our Services

  • Statutory bodies such as English Heritage, the National Trust, various amenity societies, Trusts, Local Authorities and the various councils and committees associated with The Church of England. We are engaged directly by them or their representatives to undertake all those survey types listed below.
  • Architects and engineers regularly use our services either to inform their specification or to ‘troubleshoot’.
  • Prospective or recent vendors/vendees, mortgagers, local authority planning and conservation departments, often require that ‘damp and/or timber surveys’ be carried out as part of the conveyancy procedure, usually when a pre 1940s building is at issue.
  • Loss adjusters and insurers – particularly when fire/flood is at issue.
  • Residential and commercial property owners and agents.
  • Homeowners who are concerned about the condition of their property.