Expert Building Surveying
Great North Building Consultancy
South Shields based RICS Chartered Building Surveyors for Independent Professional Residential and Commercial Surveys
“If you’re buying a home, or investing in premises for your business, it’s probably the most expensive purchase you’ll make. A thorough survey can highlight any potentially expensive problems before you buy. We’d love to help protect your investment – talk to us today about your property purchase or project.”
Great North Building Consultancy are specialists in both residential and commercial property surveys. And, as RICS Chartered Building Surveyors, the quality and professionalism of our services are underscored through regulation. We’re based in South Shields but provide our services throughout Tyne and Wear.
Area of Services
01
Defect Inspections
Defect Inspections are often needed to identify the root cause of a particular issue. Don’t paper over the cracks or mask the damp – we’ll also provide recommendations for any repair work.
02
Residential Pre-purchase surveys
We specialize in RICS benchmarked Level 3 home surveys as defined in the current edition of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) Home Survey Standard. It’s the most comprehensive and thorough survey level and ours is bespoke, tailored to your needs.
RICS benchmarked Survey Level 3: Previously called “Building Survey” or “Full Structural Survey”.
03
Commercial property surveys
When leasing a building (or part thereof), understanding the condition or full extent of any defects is a wise move. Our surveys are indispensable to help mitigate liabilities in commercial leases, evidencing the condition of the building, working together with your legal advisor to avoid any unplanned future expenses.
When purchasing a commercial property, our technical due diligence surveys help you make an informed decision.
04
Expert Witness
We can act as independent experts for a wide range of civil disputes and can provide Expert Witness Reports that are compliant with the Civil Procedure Rules, Part 35. Such as: construction quality and workmanship issues, checks for compliance with Building Regulations, defect diagnosis, Party Wall, and some boundary disputes.
05
Party Wall Issues
The Party Wall etc. Act 1996 helps building owners get building work done. Loft conversions and extensions are typical examples. But there’s always another party to be considerate of. Without the Act, building owners are open to legal action from neighbours for damage or trespass. Let’s avoid that situation and use a legal framework designed to look after all owner’s interests. Our director, Sam, is a Member of the Faculty of Party Wall Surveyors.
06
Contact Us
We will work with you to create a personalised plan to help you achieve your goals.
If you’ve ever asked anything like the following question then contact us to see how we can provide the answers:
Residential Property Surveys
- I think my builder’s done a poor job, but the court says I need an independent expert to assess the work. What do I do now?
- It’s a lovely house, but it’s a lot of money. What if there’s something wrong with it that I can’t see?
- That damp patch is getting bigger and bigger, where’s it coming from and what can I do about it?
- I want to build an extension on my house. Does the Party Wall Act apply to me? What could happen if I ignore it?
Commercial Property Surveys
- That damp patch is affecting my business operation. Where’s it coming from, and what can I do about it?
- Taking on a “Full, Repairing and Linsuring” (FRI) lease is a risky liability. How do I know this property is in good repair before I take on the lease?
★★★★★
“Dampness in buildings is an unwanted excess of moisture.
Identifying the source of moisture requires an understanding of the building’s construction, materials, design, and intended use.”
Sam Piplica
/
Director and Founder
We believe in meticulous attention to detail
so you can relax.
✓ Simplified and hassle-free experience
✓ Precision in surveying and inspecting
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is a condition-based residential survey?
A condition-based residential survey looks at the overall state of a property and highlights any problems. We inspect the building and explain what needs repair, what may need attention in the future, and whether there are any serious risks.
This type of survey is helpful if you are buying a home, though can be also be useful if you’re selling, or simply want to understand the condition of your property.
2. What is a specific defect survey?
A specific defect survey focuses on one particular problem in a property. For example, damp, cracks in walls, structural movement, roof problems, or timber decay.
Instead of surveying the whole building, we investigate the issue in detail, identify the cause, and explain what repairs are needed. This can help you avoid unnecessary or costly work.
3. When would I need an expert witness survey?
You may need an expert witness survey if there is a dispute about building work or property condition. This could involve poor workmanship, building defects, neighbour disputes, or contractor disagreements.
We provide an independent and professional Civil Procedure Rule (CPR) Part 35 compliant report that can be used in legal proceedings or insurance claims. Our role is to give clear, unbiased factual evidence and professional opinion based on the evidence and experience.
4. What does a Party Wall Surveyor do?
A Party Wall Surveyor deals with building work that affects a shared wall, boundary, or neighbouring property under the Party Wall Act.
If you are planning work such as a loft conversion, extension, or structural alterations near a boundary, you may need to serve formal notice. We can prepare notices, agree awards, and help manage disputes between neighbours.
5. Why should I choose an independent building surveyor?
As an independent surveyor, we work for you alone. We do not carry out repairs or sell building services, so our advice is impartial.
Our reports are clear, honest, and practical — helping you understand the condition of your property and make informed decisions with confidence.
Understanding Buildings
