For clients considering the purchase of a property, the team can produce a rigorous report on its current condition, specify the scope of any refurbishment and assess its long-term viability. They can assist with sustainable strategies for maintenance, enhancement and repairs, encompassing all the relevant health and safety concerns, and offer practical advice on handling the complex issues around dilapidation and decommissioning.
What sets our team apart is the experience, expertise and enthusiasm they bring to any task. With all the essential skills available in house, we have no need to rely on outsourcing and that makes it far easier to guarantee the quality of the services we offer. The team is well used to dealing with all types of developments and a wide range of clients - from residential to commercial, private to public – and listed buildings represent a particular speciality.
Client: A2Dominion Housing Group
Services: Building Surveying, Cladding Consultancy and Project Management
Gosse Court is a seven-storey mixed use block of flats with ground floor commercial units. The site is in a built-up area and backs on to the Kingsland Basin, part of the Regent Canal.
Our appointment comprised the investigation and project management of cladding remediation to the building.
We have undertaken a three-stage survey process including intrusive investigations in conjunction with fire engineers. Following the conclusion of these investigations we developed cost estimates for submission to the Building Safety Fund.
As part of our service, we also assisted our client to meet the requirements of the application process for funds to complete the remediation works.
We are currently in next phase of the project, where Silver are leading the multi-disciplinary project team in undertaking pre-construction stage of remediation of the cladding. This had included feasibility reports, cost estimates, design and project management. We continue to work collaboratively with our client, design team and fire engineers to ensure that the project adheres to the ‘Golden Thread’ principles of information. We are also advising our client of the implications to the recent changes to Approved Document L and how this impact the project to ensure they are kept abreast of best practice and guidance.
Our client said: “We have relied upon Silvers expertise throughout our cladding investigations. Silvers have provided us with ample support in the cladding investigation progress in response to the building safety crisis. From the intrusive investigation to understand the make up of the external wall system to costing the remediation routes to make informed decision on achieving compliance.”
Client: Notting Hill Genesis
Services: Condition Surveys and Feasibility Report
This is a pilot project commissioned by NHG for our Building Surveying team to provide services to inform their plans to achieve and improve energy performance across a portfolio of their historic housing stock.
We have undertaken a total of 44 condition surveys and subsequently produced feasibility strategy reports for a sample of Georgian Grade II Listed residential properties in St Michael’s and Star Street.
The period of the properties surveyed present challenges when considering energy efficiency measures that include the need to ensure that any proposed solutions proposed by our team were not damaging to the building fabric, were sympathetic to the protected features and followed Westminster Council’s Local Plan and Heritage Policy
As well as condition surveys our service included M&E surveys, energy performance certificates, measured surveys and structural surveys followed by the review of all survey data obtained to prepare a thorough and detailed feasibility report with budget cost estimates, predicted EPC outcomes and estate wide opportunities.
We have now presented and discussed our findings with Notting Hill Genesis to move forward with the next stage to upgrade energy performance of their housing stock.
Client: Private
Service: Building Surveying
This high-end refurbishment project returned a Victorian mansion in London’s Bayswater to its original condition as a single, luxury dwelling. The building had previously been converted into four separate flats.
We have provided advice on the refurbishment of various parts of the listed building, specifically addressing issues of damp/rot and sympathetic energy performance upgrades. We have produced specification documents, tendered and managed the scheme on site with specific liaison with heritage consultants and the listed building officer.
Client: A2Dominion Group
Services: Building Surveying
Our Building Surveying Team regularly undertakes surveys of properties deemed to be underperforming. They may have issues with the fabric or thermal efficiency, have been poorly maintained or lack survey information. Our reports can help the client decide whether to commit to long-term expenditure in the property or to dispose of it.
We provide information and advice on:
All information is provided and collated in a format that is easily uploaded to the client’s existing CAFM systems.
Client: Managing Agent
Service: Building Surveying
Our brief was for the refurbishment of exterior and common parts of this block of flats within a Victorian warehouse. We provided contract administration for all internal and external re-decorations, as well as advice and oversight of stone lintel repairs, roof condition appraisal and refurbishment.
Clients: London Borough of Ealing/Notting Hill Housing
Services: Building Surveying
Our Building Surveying Team assists public sector clients in supplementing their housing stock. They identify suitable properties, assess remedial strategies, implement works required and manage contractors.
Once our RICS-registered valuer has identified a property, we will produce a survey report on its condition, with specific attention to Decent Home Standards. The report will include a floor plan and an estimate of works required to meet an agreed letting standard. The calculation of costs is based on a rates schedule previously agreed with the client and their term contractor. We will also commission asbestos and EPC surveys from our supply chain partners.
Client: Lodha
Services: Principal Designer, Employer’s Agent, Building Surveying and Quality Management and Site Inspections
This three-storey building plus basement structure was built in the 1980s and is located within the Dorset Close Conservation Area.
The development proposals comprised the change of use of the basement, ground and first floor of the building, from office to residential in order to provide nine new residential units. The existing three residential units at second floor were reconfigured.
The development therefore provides 12 new affordable homes comprising:
• Three one-bed units
• Seven two-bed units
• One three-bed units
Lodha appointed Silver at the post-tender stage prior to awarding the contract to the successful contractor. From this stage we provided multi-disciplinary services led by our Building Surveying team through to completion of the 12-month programme. The project was delivered under a JCT Design and Build 2016 Contract.
Client: London Borough of Richmond and Wandsworth
Services: Decarbonisation and Condition Surveys
Our building surveying team was engaged by the London Borough of Richmond and Wandsworth to carry out climate and decarbonisation surveys of schools in the borough (142 schools) – we are also carrying out condition surveys of 28 schools in Wandsworth. This is part of the commitment outlined in the borough’s climate strategy towards becoming carbon neutral by 2030 and the audits undertaken by our team have identified areas where there are potential opportunities to reduce energy consumption and carbon footprint.
The appointment incorporates detailed surveys covering works for the next five years and highlighting works that need to be carried out in the first year. Schools located in conservation areas as well as listed buildings are being surveyed and carefully considered for climate and decarbonisation works. School surveys are being carried out while the school is occupied during school hours.
The outcome of our surveys and reports will enable the client to prioritise and programme works over the coming years. As part of the decarbonisation works, we are considering feasibility options including the installation of solar PVs, air source heat pumps, plant upgrades, pipe insulation, boiler replacements, radiators and thermostatic radiator valve upgrades, window replacements or secondary glazing, insulation upgrades to internal and external walls, roof voids, ceilings and floors.
Client: London Borough of Richmond and Wandsworth
Services: Climate and Decarbonisation Feasibility Surveys, Condition Surveys
Our building surveying team was engaged by the London Borough of Richmond and Wandsworth to carry out climate and decarbonisation feasibility surveys of various sites within their operational portfolio. This is part of the commitment outlined in the borough’s climate strategy towards becoming carbon neutral by 2030 and the audits undertaken by our team have identified areas where there is potential opportunity to reduce energy consumption and carbon footprint.
Our team surveyed a range of buildings that includes the town hall, libraries, sport and leisure centres, commercial offices, youth centres, galleries, outdoor pools, car parks, community centres, civic centre, park buildings, and cemetery buildings. Some of these buildings are Grade I/II Listed.
The outcome of these surveys and reports has enabled our client to prioritise and programme works to achieve a reduction in carbon footprint which in turn reduces costs. This includes the installation of solar PVs, air source heat pumps, plant upgrades, pipe insulation, boiler replacements, radiators and thermostatic radiator valve upgrades, window replacements or secondary glazing, insulated walls, ceilings, and floors.
Photography of Wandsworth Town Hall and Orleans House Gallery
Client: Hammersmith & Fulham Council and A2Dominion
Services: Cost Consultancy and Project Management
A joint venture between Hammersmith & Fulham Council and A2Dominion to redevelop the west side of King Street, Silver is appointed to deliver this ambitious renovation of the Town Hall and breathe new life into this part of Hammersmith. Roger Stirk Harbour + Partners, one of the world’s leading firms of architects, have been commissioned to work up this complex scheme.
The redevelopment of the Grade II Listed Hammersmith & Fulham Town Hall incorporates a two storey glass extension on top of the Town Hall, complete refurbishment of council’s existing offices space, demolition of the adjacent existing Town Hall extension and construction of approximately 205 dwellings, 10,000m2 of office space and 1,500m2 of retail space across three 5 storey blocks. This scheme will also offer a 250 seat basement cinema, office space for business start-ups and a new arts quarter alongside new cafes, shops and restaurants.
The scheme has its unique challenges such as the desire for the scheme to become an exemplar site in terms of Accessibility, Air Quality and Efficiency, which are all the highest priority for the borough.
As well as our appointment as project managers to support the planning application for the new building and refurbishment redevelopment of the Town Hall, our cost consultancy team team are commissioned to undertake cost management and planning, as well as looking after the viability of the scheme.
The image supplied courtesy of Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners.
Please contact Lauren for more details of our Building Surveying Services.
BSc (Hons)
Managing Associate
Lauren joined Silver in 2015. She has over ten years’ experience as a building surveyor, working both on the client side and within larger consultancies.
