COMMERCIAL SERVICES INCLUDE
Building Surveys & Technical Due Diligence
Acquiring commercial premises can often be a complicated process. It is imperative that an Investor fully understands the current condition of the property that they are investing in as well as the legal implications and future obligations associated with it. Harkin Associates has significant experience in providing technical due diligence surveys across a broad range of commercial properties.
Project Management & Contract Administration
Harkin Associates has significant experience of building projects and can manage the various stages and construction processes
on site including
Preparation of the contract and specification documents
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
Defect analysis and investigation
Harkin Associates has a comprehensive 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.
Planned maintenance inspection and reporting
Harkin Associates has inspected numerous properties throughout the UK for various companies and building owners, advising 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.
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.
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).
Expert Witness
Harkin Associates serves the courts as an expert witness in matters of professional negligence and environmental building issues.