Author: Ben Salvage

We've been busy doing Red Book Valuations.

Its been a busy few months for us here at Blackacre, we've been doing lots of valuations for a range of property types. These valuations are used to provide an accurate market value figure for a property, which is essential for a variety of purposes including selling, buying, lending, and tax purposes.

Red Book valuations are an important part of the property industry, and as RICS professionals, we are bound by professional standards and guidance. This means that we have to follow a set of rules and regulations when completing a Red Book valuation to ensure that we provide an unbiased and accurate assessment of a property's value.

One of the key aspects of a Red Book valuation is working out the basis of an asset's value. This involves assessing a range of factors such as location, market conditions, supply and demand, and the condition of the property itself. We take all of these factors into account when valuing a property, and our aim is always to provide an accurate and fair market value figure.

At our firm, we have been valuing all types of properties, including industrial and commercial properties. We understand that every property is unique, and we take the time to carefully assess each one to provide an accurate valuation. We also have experience in valuing residential properties, from single-family homes to luxury apartments.

If you need a Red Book valuation for your property, we are here to help. As RICS registered valuation surveyors, we have the knowledge and expertise to provide an accurate and unbiased assessment of your property's value. We are committed to providing a professional service and always adhere to the highest standards of the industry. Contact us today to find out more about our Red Book valuation services.

A year long programme on the south coast.

As a chartered building surveyor, I recently undertook the role of contract administrator, a position that involved overseeing a complex construction project in Eastbourne from start to finish. The job of a contract administrator is essential in ensuring that the project is completed in a timely manner, within budget, and up to the required standards.

As a contract administrator, my primary responsibility was managing the contract between the client and the contractor. This required a deep understanding of the legal and technical aspects of the contract, as well as the ability to negotiate and resolve any disputes that may arise.

Throughout the project, I was tasked with managing a range of complex contractual issues, including variations to the scope of work, payment applications, and defects liability periods. These issues required a high level of attention to detail and an ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously.

One of the major challenges I encountered during the project was dealing with delays and extension of time notices. Delays are an inevitable part of any construction project and can be caused by a variety of factors, such as inclement weather, unexpected ground conditions, or supply chain disruptions. As a contract administrator, it was my duty to assess the cause of the delay and determine whether it was the responsibility of the contractor or the client.

If the delay was the contractor's fault, I would serve an extension of time notice, allowing the contractor additional time to complete the work without facing financial penalties. However, if the delay was the client's fault, the contractor may be entitled to claim additional costs incurred as a result of the delay.

In addition to managing the contractual aspects of the project, I also had to ensure effective communication and collaboration between the client and the contractor. This required exceptional interpersonal and communication skills, as well as the ability to maintain a high level of professionalism throughout the project.

Overall, my experience as a contract administrator was a challenging and rewarding one. It required a high level of technical knowledge, exceptional problem-solving skills, and the ability to manage complex contractual issues with ease. As a chartered building surveyor, I was able to bring my expertise to the role, ensuring that the project was completed to the highest standards possible.

Our day in the sunny South Downs

Our technical team recently had the opportunity to carry out a day of 3D laser scanning, undertaking a drone survey, and a measurement survey on a Grade II* Listed, early 1800s windmill located in the beautiful South Downs National Park. We managed to assist the client with a comprehensive survey allowing them to record the current condition and plan and for restoration work.

We started with our Trimble X7 laser scanner, rapidly captured millions of points of data to create a highly accurate Point Cloud of the windmill. The scanner was able to capture details such as the intricate shapes of the wooden beams and the unique curvature of the sails. Its millimeter accurate so allows for easy measurement of new components.

Next, we deployed a drone to capture aerial images of the windmill from multiple angles. The drone was equipped with a high-resolution camera that captured images with stunning detail. These images were then used to create an aerial survey of the windmill and the surrounding area, which would prove extremely useful for planning the restoration work.

Finally, we carried out an internal measurement survey of the windmill with our scanner. This involved taking precise measurements of the windmill's dimensions, including the height, width, and depth of each of its structural components.

All of this data was then brought together to create a comprehensive survey of the windmill that would be invaluable to the client. The 3D laser scanning survey provided a highly accurate representation of the windmill's shape and structure, which would allow the restoration team to plan and execute their work with incredible precision. The aerial survey provided a wider perspective, showing how the windmill fits into its surroundings and revealing any potential issues that may need to be addressed. And finally, the measurement survey provided a detailed record of the windmill's physical dimensions, which would be essential for creating accurate architectural plans and determining the materials needed for the restoration.

In all our day was a great success and we were able to deliver all the information to a happy client. The data we gathered will prove invaluable and we hope our tools have gone some way to preserving this amazing heritage asset.