Services

We have extensive experience acting for building owners and adjoining owners on a range of commercial and residential schemes. When acting for developers, we advocate early appointment in the design and procurement process to enable us to provide strategic advice on how to maximise the rights which the Act grants a building owner. For neighbours, we are known for being robust and fair in the administration of the Act, ensuring that adjoining owners’ property interests are appropriately safeguarded. We are also commonly appointed to act as an agreed surveyor between building and adjoining owners.

We are regularly recommended by leading solicitors and barristers specialising in property litigation for our expertise in the administration of the Party Wall etc. Act. As such we often deal with complex ‘Act’ disputes.

Andrew Schofield is past Chairman and current Secretary of the Pyramus & Thisbe Club (which promotes best practice in the application of the Act). He writes and lectures widely on the application of the Act. Jack Norton is on the RICS Boundaries and Party Walls Panel Working Group and drafted the 7th Edition of the RICS Guidance Note on Party Wall Legislation and Procedure. He is one of the panel of experts to present the RICS ‘Essential Update 2018’ on the updated RICS Guidance Note, Case Law and aspects on Neighbourly Matters.

Rights of Light is a complex legal matter that requires excellent knowledge of the subject matter and appropriate due diligence throughout the life cycle of a project. At Schofield’s we have a highly experienced team of rights of light experts that have been providing advice for many years ensuring that our clients get the maximum developable area for their site whilst managing the full risks associated with rights of light.

In managing our projects, our in-house CAD technicians can carry out all the calculations necessary for the leading surveyor to provide diligent advice critical to the success of a project. Each project is Director led, which allows for clients to feel confident in relying upon the advice that we provide.

Below is a list of the services that we offer for rights of light:

• Full computer assessments calculating rights of light infringements.

• Advice on valuation of compensation attributable to the losses within the neighbouring properties.

• Full rights of light reports.

• Rights of light mitigation strategy. 

• 3D Presentations to our clients.

• Development gain calculations.

• Book Value calculations.

• “Jelly mould” developable area massing.

• Cutback assessments.

• Negotiations for rights of light (neighbour or developer).

• Expert Witness.

• Liaising with underwriters/brokers to procure rights of light insurance.

If you would like to speak with one of our experts regarding a project that you have, please do feel free to get in touch with one of our Directors.

We are regularly appointed by developers to provide daylight and sunlight advice to assist with the submission of planning applications, which includes prior approval applications, pre-applications, and full planning applications. Our services range from an initial high-level design steer on potential massing options to full assessments and calculations for daylight and sunlight. Once a scheme is frozen and ready for planning submission, we carry out our daylight and sunlight assessment in accordance with the Building Research Establishment Guide: “Site Layout Planning for daylight and Sunlight” and also the BS 8206 Part 2. We also provide advice to affected owners who neighbour a development site, where they have particular concerns over daylight and sunlight impacts they may suffer as a result of development.

Here at Schofield Surveyors, we have an industry leading team with well over 25 years of experience in dealing with daylight and sunlight matters adding commercial value to development sites.

We undertake preliminary daylight and sunlight appraisals and when appropriate, full technical assessments advising on complicated light issues throughout the planning process (Prior approval, pre-application and full application).

We offer a wide range of services for daylight and sunlight, which includes:

• Design solutions and guidance to establish the best daylight and sunlight strategy at planning.

• Bespoke building envelopes to steer the design toward acceptable daylight and sunlight infringements.

• Cutbacks to demonstrate acceptable daylight and sunlight levels.

• Detailed daylight and sunlight assessments and associated reports suitable for prior approval and planning submissions.

• Solar Glare assessments

• Overshadowing assessments

• Mitigation solutions to maximise developable area

• Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA for the daylight and sunlight chapter

• Expert Witness

• Representations at planning committee

• Planning Appeals.

In carrying out our daylight and sunlight assessments, we use cutting edge analysis software which enables us to provide advice with a high degree of accuracy where required.

If you would like to speak with one of our experts regarding a project that you have, please do feel free to get in touch with one of our Directors.

As recognised specialists in property related disputes we are regularly recommended by leading barristers and solicitors as experts in boundary determinations. In addition to accepting instructions as an expert witness, we also provide boundary advice to owners of properties who are considering litigation.

Andrew Schofield has been instrumental in the Property Boundaries (Resolution of Disputes) Bill. Jack Norton is on the RICS Boundaries and Party Walls Panel Working Group and drafted the 7th Edition of the RICS Guidance Note on Party Wall Legislation and Procedure. He is one of the panel of experts to present the RICS ‘Essential Update 2018’ on the updated RICS Guidance Note, Case Law and aspects on Neighbourly Matters.

LICENSE TO ALTER

When making improvements or alterations to a leasehold property the lessee is usually required under the terms of their lease to obtain consent from the landlord via a licence to alter. Without such a licence the lessee is likely to be in breach of their lease. We act for lessees and freeholders to ensure works can proceed safely to the appropriate standard and in accordance with the lease terms.

ACCESS AND OVERSAIL

Appointments are often made by developers who wish to oversail neighbours’ land, and adjoining owners whose land developers wish to oversail. Oversailing can take the form of scaffold, personnel access or cranes which need to swing over adjoining properties. Depending upon the size of the instruction, we may work closely with solicitors to document an agreement and formalise permission.

As a firm who specialises in property related disputes we are regularly recommended by leading solicitors and barristers as expert witnesses. We are experienced in producing bespoke and CPR compliant reports.

Most litigation does not get to Court however, in the situations when it does, we are willing to attend Court as required.

Prior to litigations it is usual that a dispute mediates and an expert’s attendance at such mediations is usually of great benefit. Jack Norton is a CEDR accredited and CMC registered mediator and will often attend mediations on client’s behalf to bring strategic advice to the day.

We also offer a mediation service, taking instructions to mediate a wide range of property related disagreements. Our registered mediator, Jack, has specialist experience as a surveyor dealing with construction and property disputes which allow him to bring a technical understanding to mediation.

Examples of mediation appointments Jack is happy to accept include:

• Boundary disputes

• Land disputes

• Party Wall etc. Act 1996

• Rights of light

• Rights of way / easements

• Access and oversail

• Trespass

• Dilapidations

• Landlord and Tenant matters

• Construction disputes

Although we are based in London we are happy to travel for mediations.

Schofield Surveyors regularly accept instructions from landlords and tenants involved in dilapidations. We can assist landlords in preparing and serving a Schedule of Dilapidations, continuing through to negotiating a claim with a tenant’s surveyor. For tenants, we encourage early consideration of dilapidations liabilities and can assist with early budgeting, continuing through to completing any required works or negotiating a financial settlement with a landlord’s surveyor.

To ensure tenants are aware of their liability with regard to dilapidations, we encourage early appointment to allow comprehensive assessment. This will allow a tenant to budget for a financial settlement, or to consider whether completing any necessary works is a more sensible business decision.

We offer bespoke building surveys of commercial and high-end residential properties, always with a focus on a client’s specific requirements: for example, a survey prior to a client purchasing a property with an emphasis on specific defects or possible refurbishment aspirations.

DEFECT DIAGNOSTICS

We receive regular instructions to inspect and diagnose defects to buildings, which can extend to providing advice specifying and any required remedial repairs. These instructions are often made by property owners or, if linked with litigation, by solicitors and barristers. Andrew Schofield is commonly instructed as an Expert Witness on disputes relating to building defects.

REINSTATEMENT COST ANALYSIS

Building insurers often require a reinstatement cost analysis to be provided, which provides the cost of rebuilding the building in the event of a catastrophe. We provide reinstatement costs based upon the latest BCIS data.

MEASURED SURVEYS

We have the in-house facilities to carry out accurate measured surveys of buildings or land. We can provide plans, elevations and sections which can be presented in PDF or DWG (CAD) formats.

PLANNED PREVENTATIVE MAINTENANCE (PPM)

Prudent property owners plan the future maintenance of their building for efficient budgeting purposes and we are often asked to provide PPM schedules for future budgeting purposes.

We are instructed by tenants to produce Schedules of Condition prior to the commencement of a lease. Instructions are also received from landlords who wish to validate Schedules of Condition which have been produced by tenants’ surveyors.

Schedules of Condition are taken as part of our role in administering the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 which can prove to be invaluable in the event on claims of damage.

Schedules can be completed in advance of building works to protect against spurious claims for damage from neighbouring property owners and/or tenants.

CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION

We are regularly appointed by residential and commercial clients to administer building contracts. Often such an appointment continues from having designed and specified a project on a client’s behalf. When the project is on site we oversee the job through to completion. We administer contracts for a range of projects from simple external redecorations through to refurbishments and extensions.

SPECIFICATION

We produce Specifications based on the “NBS” standard form. Schedules of Work that we produce are entirely bespoke to the client and property under consideration. With an in-house architect we are able of producing comprehensive drawings to support the specification.

PROCUREMENT

We work with clients to address their requirements in terms of cost, time and quality. Based upon the client’s needs, we can recommend various forms of procurement which we can then administer on their behalf.

EMPLOYER’S AGENT

We are also able to offer Employers Agent services for projects that are procured using a ‘design & build’ contract. As an agent we would sit between the contractor and the client. Our pre-contract services would typically extend to co-ordinating the tender process, co-ordinating the novation of any consultants, collating the contract documents and implementing a change control process.

PROJECT MONITORING

We advise clients on the risks associated with a development and protect their interests in the development as it proceeds by providing impartial and objective assessments as it progresses. We also ensure the client is kept up to date with any changes to the development and any emerging risks.

SECTION 20

For works funded through services charges, landlords are obliged to consult with leaseholders. Section 20 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 (as amended by S151 of the Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Act 2002) sets out the procedure’s landlords must follow. We regularly accept instructions from landlords and their agents to manage or assist with the statutory consultation process which involves serving notices on leaseholders at prescribed stages.

FIRE SAFETY

For building owners to be compliant with the legislation and requirements around fire safety they need to obtain periodic fire risk assessments. With our expertise as building surveyors, we can procure the necessary fire safety works arising from Fire Risk Assessments and or Compartmentation surveys and Statutory Enforcement Notices. We undertake a collaborative procurement co-ordinating, where appropriate, with the fire risk assessor, London Fire Brigade, Building Control Officer, fire safety contractors, etc. We prepare comprehensive specifications to describe the fire safety works which may comprise passive fire protection measures, replacement and or upgrading of flat front entrance doors to fire doors, the installation of fire alarms and emergency lighting, fire stopping etc.

INSURANCE REINSTATEMENT AND VALUATION

We provide a comprehensive range of services related to property reinstatement and valuation for both residential and commercial properties in cases of damage or loss.

As chartered building surveyors, our specialist knowledge is essential to facilitate communication between property owners or occupants and their insurance providers. Our goal is to ensure that damaged properties are accurately assessed, restored to their original condition with minimal disruption, and that all reinstatement work complies with regulations and meets the highest standards of quality.

We have the capability to oversee the entire reinstatement process, from defining specifications to final completion, or offer guidance and advice at any stage of the process. Additionally, we can independently provide reinstatement valuations for insurance purposes. We are available to work on behalf of either the insurance provider or the property owner/occupant affected by the damage.

Our services include, but are not restricted to:

• The inspection of damage related to insurance claims

• Advice on various issues such as floods, fires, collisions, subsidence, and more

• Liaison and negotiation with loss adjusters on behalf of the insured to determine the necessary scope of work

• Developing tender documents, which may include specifications and designs for full reinstatement

• Coordinating a consultant team, which might involve professionals like engineers, architects, interior designers, and approved building inspectors

• Management of the tendering process

• Administering building contracts and monitoring construction work

• Providing property reinstatement valuations for insurance purposes

At Schofield Surveyors we offer architectural services, specialising in bespoke residential architectural design. We are totally committed to designing and delivering beautifully crafted spaces and pride ourselves on providing elegant solutions to often complex challenges through contextual and creative thinking. The dynamic play of light and texture of contrasting materials within spaces play strong themes within our design process and thinking.

At the heart of crafting beautiful and functional spaces is the client with whom we have a close relationship throughout the life-cycle of a project.

As a firm of Chartered Surveyors and Architects the projects we create benefit from our unique multidisciplinary services.

We undertake the following services:

• Extension design

• Renovations

• New build design

• Basement design

• Interior design

• Conservation & Heritage design

• Conservation and Heritage Planning Permission

• Planning applications

• Building Regulation drawings

• 3D Visualisation

• Contract Administration