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Structural / Building Survey

A building survey is a comprehensive inspection suitable for all properties but especially recommended for:

All listed buildings
Those built before 1900
Any buildings constructed in an unusual way regardless of age
Properties you are planning to renovate or alter in any way
Properties which have already had extensive alterations

A building survey involves a detailed examination of all accessible parts of the property and can be tailor made to suit your individual needs and concerns.

Building Surveys cost from £450 depending on the property and the detail of inspection required by the client.

Contact us for further details of building surveys in Cornwall.

Mundic Testing

The term Mundic has become used as the generic name in Cornwall, and parts of Devon, for concrete which is made with aggregates containing reactive minerals.

There are two main elements to a concrete screening test.

The first element is the site inspection and concrete sampling. This involves a careful assessment by an experienced Chartered Surveyor of the structure of the building, together with its condition where relevant to this subject.

Following this, samples are taken from positions considered appropriate. In most instances the samples taken will be 50mm diameter cores drilled to a depth of about 75mm to 100mm, which will be carefully recorded, labelled and submitted to a laboratory for examination.

Before leaving the property all visible holes caused by the concrete sampling procedure will be repaired.

Mundic Tests cost £285 (+VAT).

Contact us for further details of mundic testing in Cornwall.

Contaminated Land Assessments

Where purchase, sale or redevelopment of potentially contaminated land is proposed, the Local Authority Planning and Environmental Health Departments will place conditions on any planning consent for a Phase 1 Desk Study to be carried out, potentially leading to Phase 2 and 3 Intrusive Site Investigations. A brief outline of the work involved during each phase of investigation is given below.

PHASE 1 – DESK STUDY: CONTAMINATED LAND ASSESSMENT

A detailed site inspection by a RICS approved surveyor
Historical mapping
Geological and hydro-geological mapping
Local Authority and Environment Agency information
Mining report, where applicable
Previous investigation review, where available
Desk Study Report comprising an assessment of any potential sources of contamination identified, and the associated risks.

A Phase 1 site investigation and report costs from £500.

PHASE 2 - INTRUSIVE CONTAMINATED LAND ASSESSMENT INVESTIGATION

Intrusive site investigation works based on Phase 1 findings and agreed objectives and scope
Laboratory analysis of soils (Chemical and/or Geotechnical as required)
Groundwater analysis as required
Factual and Interpretive Report including summary of ground conditions and interpretive environmental and geotechnical assessments
Recommendations for further works and/or remedial works as required

PHASE 3 – CONTAMINATED LAND ASSESSMENT REMEDIAL SPECIFICATION, MANAGEMENT AND VERIFICATION

Remedial Specification Report
On-site supervision during remedial works
Liaison with enforcement and regulatory authorities and provision of expertise
Verification/Validation works comprising in-situ and ex-situ analysis and report confirming completion of remedial works to agreed specification

Contact us to discuss your requirements or find out more.

Site Investigation

When mine workings are found to be within approximately 20 metres of the property’s boundary a recommendation will be made for a site investigation by a suitably qualified chartered surveyor. The property will be inspected to determine the condition of the footings and main structural walls together with the site itself in order to determine whether or not the building is being affected by the identified mine workings.

Site Investigations cost from £175.