Blog
Detailed structural building survey for a large property in Mayfair before carrying out large-scale refurbishment and building works.
Tuesday 15th December 2020
Carl O'Boyle BSc MRICS FCIOB MFPWS
We at Tayross chartered building surveyors were recently asked to carry out a detailed building structural survey in Mayfair, prior to an extensive refurbishment works.
Carl O'Boyle who leads the team at Tayross has extensive experience of working for large main contractors such as Laings Plc and Costain Plc and has built up an enviable reputation for his expertise and knowledge in the field regarding large properties undergoing refurbishment.
In the Mayfair property, it became immediately obvious that the asphalt roof was suffering from creep, drainage issues, solar damage and resulting stress cracking. This was important as the plant room was to be relocated on the roof. We observed below this area that the large concrete down stand beams supporting the concrete roof above had previously been compromised by cores drilled out for services. We recommended that the beams supporting the roof be further strengthened with steel plates. This helped resolve an issue before the contractor arrived on site.
In a similar project in the Wimbledon area we recommended; in order to reduce variations and extensions of time on the project that the entire building be soft stripped internally, right back to the brick and block bare wall. This helped identify a lot of issues that could be included in the contractor's bill of quantities and therefore ensure that variations are kept to the absolute minimum but even more important than the critical path on the construction program was not interrupted and delayed by unknown issues.
The client was very impressed by this preplanning exercise and even more delighted when they received his completed project on time to a budget that had been pre-agree.
