Services
Harkin Associates can assist in most property matters, providing advice on both residential and commercial building sectors
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Pre-purchase advice
Purchasing a property can be a stressful event and is likely to be one of the most significant investments we are likely to make. It is imperative therefore that you seek professional advice at an early stage to help ease the process and make informed decisions.
Harkin Associates can help you through this process by discussing any concerns or queries you may have regarding a property or even accompany you on a property viewing to provide advice and reassurance.
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Building Survey (formerly known as a Structural Survey)
A Building Survey is a comprehensive inspection and report upon a property. It is suitable for all property types but is particularly suitable for older properties, listed properties, properties which have been constructed in a unusual way or properties that have been extended and altered or you intend to extend and alter.
The Building Survey examines all accessible parts of the property and details the construction of the property, the materials used and any defects found. The Harkin Associates Building Survey provides recommendations on how to deal with any highlighted shortcomings and advises of when this should be carried out. You can also request to have specific areas included, so the report can cover any particular concerns you have about the building.
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Homebuyers Survey and Valuation (HSV)
A Homebuyers Survey is an inspection and report of a property which is carried out in a precise format as set out by the RICS. Homebuyers' Surveys are generally carried out on conventional houses that are not particularly old and are generally in reasonable condition.
A Harkin Associates Homebuyer's Survey is a comprehensive inspection of the property, in the same way as a Building Survey, but the report is briefer and concentrates only on matters which are considered urgent or significant and therefore likely to affect the conveyance. Guidance and direction is also provided where further investigation by specialists may be required.
Harkin Associates Homebuyers' Surveys also include an open market valuation of the property.
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Commercial Building Surveys / Investment Surveys
As the name suggests, a Commercial Building Survey is an inspection and report on a commercial or investment properly. Whether you are buying or leasing the properly you need to know the condition of the building and importantly the likely repair or maintenance obligations before you commit yourself.
A commercial building survey will therefore assess the condition of a property and inform you of its condition and state of repair. If ycu are purchasing a leasehold interest in a property, a review of the repairing obligation contained within the lease will be considered and reported upon.
Other matters covered in the report will include reviewing the property in terms of statutory legislation in terms of deleterious materials, health and safety at work issues and the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA).
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Specific tailored reports
Harkin Associates can provide specific advice and reports on both commercial and residential properties whether you are a building owner or potential purchaser. Such reports could relate to specific building defects such as dampness, timber defects, structural defects, cracking and subsidence. Whatever your requirement we can give you the correct advice and direction required.
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Environmental Property Care
Creating and maintaining a safe and healthy home environment has rightly become a significant part of our lives today. Harkin Associates is committed to helping homeowners achieve this and understands the fundamental principles required in running and maintaining your property.
Harkin Associates can advise upon creating such an environment in terms of assessing and dealing with insulation, heating, ventilation, dampness and condensation, mould growth among others, and advocates the implementation of traditional principals without the need for chemicals.
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Planning and Building Regulations advice
If you are planning to extend or remodel your property there are various statutory obligations that need to be satisfied before you proceed. Harkin Associates can advise you upon planning process, make an application on your behalf or indeed inform you of your rights under what is now known as "permitted development'.
When undertaking significant works to your property, further control is implemented by local authorities in the form of Building Regulations. These are standards to which all new building work must adhere and will be subject to inspection by the local authority before they can be approved.
It is important to ensure that all necessary permissions, in terms of Planning and Building Regulations, are obtained for your building projects. The saleability of your property can be severely affected if works have been undertaken without permission.
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Design and specification of building works
Harkin Associates can provide detailed drawings of your proposals which are all carried out on various computer aided design packages (CAD) to the satisfaction of the local authority.
The drawn information can then be translated into a written specification so that prices or tenders can be obtained from contractors to undertake the works.
At times it is necessary to obtain accurate measured drawings of premises. These may be prepared for various purposes including, insurance purposes, fire plans, assessing building suitability and of course planning extensions and alterations.
Harkin Associates can provide accurate record drawings of the building structures, drains and ancillary spaces using laser measuring techniques. Drawings can also be provided in both electronic and paper formats.
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Project Management
Effective project management of a building project relies on good communication and organisation. Harkin Associates can manage your project from inception to completion and guide your project to success in terms of time, cost and quality.
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Contract administration and supervision of building works
Harkin Associates has significant experience in managing building projects and can manage the various stages and construction process on site in terms of:
- Preparation of the contract and associated documents
- Periodic site inspections
- Valuation of building works and certifying payments to contractors.
- Managing variations to the works by way of formal instructions to the contractor.
- Snagging and hand-over inspections
- Preparation and negotiation of the contractors final account
- Managing contract claims
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Defect analysis and investigation
Harkin Associates has a significant understanding of building pathology and is experienced in assessing and diagnosing building defects. Once a successful diagnosis has been made Harkin Associates can specify the most appropriate and cost-effective remedial treatment required to eliminate the problem.
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Planned maintenance inspection and reporting.
Harkin Associates has inspected numerous properties throughout the UK for various companies and building owners and advised them upon the health of their built assets. From these inspections Harkin Associates can produce planned maintenance reports and schedules, which identifies and prioritises future repairs and expenditure.
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Schedules of condition
A schedule of condition is method of recording the precise condition of a property at a particular point in time. There are many instances where a schedule of condition is required, such as prior to undertaking adjacent building works or when taking over a lease on an existing property. The schedule of condition offers protection to adjoining building owners, tenants and landlords alike as a referral document in settling disputes.
Harkin Associates has undertaken numerous schedules of condition on properties and structures of varying construction types. We have advised numerous clients such as private landlords, when leasing premises to tenants, where the schedules have formed part of the lease agreement. We have also undertaken large scale schedules of condition on behalf major civil engineering contractors, where major engineering works have been carried out in close proximity to built up areas.
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Party Wall Awards
The Party Wall etc. Act 1996 came in to force on 1st July 1997 and governs the procedure and legal protocol to be followed when carrying out certain building works to properties close to or adjoining other structures and properties. The aim of the Act is to protect both parties by the provision of an Award (or agreement).
Harkin Associates can act for both building owners and adjoining owners in respect of the Act in drafting and/or negotiating the Award as well as preparing the requisite schedules of condition and the like.
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Schedules of Dilapidation
A Schedule of Dilapidations is carried out at or near the end of a lease term and is simply a listing of all outstanding repairs, maintenance and decoration items which a landlord (or more likely his surveyor) has determined have arisen during the occupation. Under the terms of the lease, the tenant is usually responsible for undertaking these repairs and is obliged to carry out the remedial works listed in the schedule or pay to the landlord damages which equate to the cost to the landlord of carrying out the works.
Schedules of Dilapidations are often the cause of disputes between landlords and tenants, the result of which may mean court action. It is therefore important to seek the professional advice of a surveyor, whether you are a lessor or lessee, to mitigate any disputes.
Harkin Associates has acted for both landlords (lessors) and tenants (lessees) in this regard.