JMH Property Surveys

You have received your survey and it has recommends  ‘further investigation’, but where do you turn to find someone with the right qualifications? Here are some suggestions.  

(Please note that the information on this page is obtained from the organisations’ websites and JMH Property Surveys takes no responsibility for work carried out by any individual or company)

Structural Engineers 

The Institution of Structural Engineers offers a service called FindanEngineer.com   www.findanengineer.com   which is a comprehensive database of structural engineering practices across the UK that puts you in touch with the best structural engineer for any project. Only firms that have at least one member from the Institution of Structural Engineers can register.

Electricians

NAPIT - www.napit.org.uk    

NECEIC - www.niceic.com

Both offer a search facility to find suitably qualified contractors. 

Alternatively, to find an electrician who is Part P qualified, go to the website of the Electrical Competent Person Scheme www.electricalcompetentperson.co.uk 

Gas Engineers

The Gas Safe Register https://www.gassaferegister.co.uk/ replaced CORGI as the gas registration body in 2009. By law all gas engineers must be on the Gas Safe Register.  The site offers a search and checking facility.

Open fires, chimneys, wood burning stoves etc.

HETAS http://www.hetas.co.uk/ is the official body recognised by Government to approve biomass and solid fuel heating appliances, fuels and services including the registration of competent installers and servicing businesses. The website offers a search facility and some useful advice leaflets. 

Asbestos

There doesn’t appear to be an organisation solely concerned with asbestos. 

However, the Health and Safety Executive http://www.hse.gov.uk/asbestos/ has plenty of information about asbestos and a list of licenced contractors and UKAS (United Kingdom Accreditation Service)   https://www.ukas.com has a search facility for accredited organisations such as surveyors and testing laboratories. 

The Property Care Association www.property-care.org 

The Property Care Association (PCA) is a trade association representing various specialists across the UK. Prospective Members are checked for skills and financial standing, and, once accepted, regularly audited. The organisation also offers training to ensure that members update and extend their skills. 

PCA members can investigate and resolve property defects involving:

• Damp and Condensation

• Domestic Air Quality & Ventilation

• Timber decay or insect attack

• Structural and basement waterproofing

• Flood restoration and flood protection

• Structural defects

• Invasive weed control (incl. Japanese knotweed)

Invasive Species

INNSA (Invasive non-native specialists Association)  www.innsa.org  is the industry body for companies involved in controlling and eradicating invasive non-native species in the UK.

The National Association of Drainage Contractors   www.nadc.org.uk 

The NADC is ‘an organisation committed to the development of a national network of fully certified drainage contractors’. 

Among other things, NADC members offer Home Buyers Drain Surveys, using CCTV to examine parts of the drainage system not visible from the surface. Even if inspection chambers (if they can be found on the property) appear clear and water runs freely through them there may be unseen problems lurking elsewhere in the system which it would be as well to know about before they cause expensive blockages. 

Party Walls

The Pyramus and Thisbe Society  https://pyramusandthisbesociety.org/find-a-surveyor/  has useful information about party walls and a ‘Find a Party Wall professional’ search page.