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I used to run a couple of architectural practices in my mid-twenties and have come back to building design following a period of training with AutoCAD systems.
Hopefully my design flair has not deserted me and I will be happy to discuss your requirements and produce sketches etc. following a design brief.
I am not a qualified architect, but being a Chartered Builder, I do know how buildings go together, which sometimes eludes other professions!
It has taken some time to gain our Permission for Commercial Operations or PfCO from the CAA.
The initial process was swift, with the course and guidance offered by 3iC being superb which also added 14 hours to our CPD requirements but then came the CAA bit - you pay your money and are expected to happily wait 1.5 months for a reply!
Needless to say, we lost work in the intervening period but our first contract was completed last week with very positive results, both from the client, homeowner and neighbouring property owners who were contacted as part of the CAP722 process. The aerial survey saved multiple-hundreds of pounds and was completed within days, not weeks, enabling reparation works to to progressed more quickly.
We look forward to taking to the skies over the coming months!
Most surveyors are especially wary when carrying out surveys on buildings in the Southbourne area of Bournemouth, so I was surprised to receive the reply to our standard questionnaire from the agent, in response to known structural defects to the property.
The casement window was closed yet distortion in the frame formed a 10mm gap between casement and frame!
"There is some superficial cracking" was the reply to our question and the level 3 RICS survey that followed revealed progressive movement to all internal and external walls, so severe that replacement upvc window frames had deformed to such an extent that the casements would not open and the ground floor literally bowed where the floor joists were being bent over a subfloor honeycombe wall due to downward movement of walls at either end!
Having recently completed a survey on a 1950's property in Bournemouth, I decided to contact the installer of the spray foam insulation that had been used to insulate the loft area, spraying between ceiling joists, as the installation had completely covered the eaves at the perimeter of the roof, as well as all electrical wiring.
I was assured by the "installation" manager of the company involved with the installation that, as the foam was open cell, blocking the eaves had no ill-affect, which I disagreed with but he again assured me that the installation accorded with the BBA certificate for the product.
Needless to say, this was not the case, with the installation in breach of 5 conditions set out in the certificate, including covering up the eaves and other existing roof ventilation paths and the covering of electrical wiring and spraying onto non-breathable underfelt.
So, if your roof space looks like the one in the photo, we suggest that you talk to the installer in order to rectify this bad practice as it may result in roof timbers rotting due to excessive moisture content and electrical wiring being de-rated.
Icynene spray foam completely covering the eaves ventilation in this 1950's property
It is common place nowadays to be told that if you make false statements, especially when applying for insurance, that the contract may be void.
So it is surprising to find that this currently does not apply to replies (statements) from a vendor to preliminary sales enquiries as these are not normally deemed part of the contract. However, you can insist that any reply to the standard TA6 form is incorporated as a term of the contract and also ask direct questions regarding the state of the property.
And remember, words, written or spoken, may constitute a statement. So may a picture of premises conveying information about their use as well as conduct, which is the important part here, such as filling in the cracks so as to make it more difficult for the purchaser to detect problems with the foundations of a building or having a builder conceal the signs of an active outbreak of dry rot or rising damp before putting the property on the market.
Kernon and Kelleher solicitors are currently working on an addendum to the TA6 form which we will publish in another blog, hopefully soon - watch this space!
Our Part two test was taken last Wednesday and included the practical flight assessment, written close-book exam and a mock contract which was all passed, despite tricky windy conditions whilst flying in ATTI (non GPS stabilisation) mode. We also managed to clock a fly-by at 63mph which is impressive!
So, we now await our certificate from 3iC in order to add to our Operations Manual and send the whole to the CAA for approval and issuing of our PfCO licence.
The CAA (Civil Aviation Authority) require drone operators who wish to provide professional services to gain a PfCO or Permission for Commercial Operations licence.
We came one step closer today by passing phase one of 3iC's PfCO course with phase two consisting of a 1hr. written exam and practical flying test..........fingers crossed.
So, we have taken the plunge and ordered our DJI Inspire 2. We plan to get to grips with the drone over the next week or so prior to embarking on a course to gain our CAA Permission for Commercial Operations (PfCO) licence.
all being well, we will be able to offer aerial survey work including Thermography and 3D mapping, as well as scaled plot Surveys plus agricultural and civil engineering functions by August 2017.
We will soon be offering a full aerial survey capability which will include Thermography, Damage Assessment, Service and Maintenance inspections, GIS Mapping and 3D Modelling.
We'll let you know when this service becomes available!
