Quality of advice, transparency and professionalism are the values that allow us to deliver the highest standards for every client time after time.

Whether engaged for a major re-development project or to identify a localised defect, all our clients receive the service you would expect from a RICS Chartered Surveyor right from instruction through to completion.

Our services are wide ranging and include all types of building surveys, project management, architectural design and consents such as planning permission and building regulations. Regardless of building construction, Lapider have developed a reputation for excellence in new buildings, period and listed properties.

We are completely independent and our advice is always clear and impartial. Acting for residential and commercial property owners alike, our standards and guidance cover all areas of surveying practice and embody best practice. Lapider’s surveyors are experienced professionals sharing their expertise, knowledge and practical advice.

Building Surveying Services

Building surveys are a thorough, detailed visual inspection of the property, followed up with a comprehensive written report detailing the condition of the property, and recommendations for repairs. These are often carried out on behalf of clients as pre-acquisition surveys.

If you are considering purchasing a residential or commercial property your decision is better informed when you have an indication of the repair and maintenance requirements you will be taking on if you decide to go ahead. Let us provide you with that insight. 

Lapider carries out RICS Level 3 and Level 2 Surveys and reports, that follow the RICS survey guidelines.

Single Issue Surveys are carried out where there is generally one issue of concern with the property. The survey will inspect the cause and recommend repairs. 
 
This type of survey is often carried out when a client has specific concerns with the property.

Our knowledge of building pathology allows us to identify the cause of the defects and write specifications for appropriate repair methods. Understanding the root cause ensures correct repair methods are employed and that the client does not incur unnecessary cost.

Commercial Services

Lapider will carry out a thorough detailed visual inspection of commercial properties and can arrange and coordinate other specialist consultants, such as; 

  • Drone surveys. 
  • Structural and acoustic engineers. 
  • Quantity surveyors.
  • Mechanical and electrical engineers. 
  • Asbestos surveys.
  • Drainage and CCTV inspections.
  • Ecologists. 

Lapider will co-ordinate information obtained and produce a report for clients and legal advisers prior to purchase, that informs and advises the purchase process.

Acting on behalf of Landlords or tenants, we advise on liability according to the terms of the lease. We provide advice appropriate to the situation to resolve the claim. We also undertake dilapidations liability assessments to assist clients formulate an exit strategy. 

Schedules can be appended to lease documents at the beginning of a new lease agreement and are a valuable tool in the dilapidations process at the end of the term. They record the condition of the property at the start of the lease. 

Listed Buildings

Listed building surveys are a thorough, detailed visual inspection of the property, and a desk top analysis of planning and listed building consents relating to the property. Generally, to inform clients who are considering purchasing a listed building of the condition of the property and potential liabilities but also for owners of listed buildings who want to determine the correct method of repair or alterations to their property.

The owners of a listed building are responsible for the repairs to the building and to rectifying any unlawful repairs or alterations carried out, even by previous owners.

A listed building may not be demolished, extended, or altered without Listed Building Consent (LBC) from the local planning authority (LPA), which consults with CADW or English Heritage. Owners of listed buildings are, in some circumstances, compelled to repair and maintain them and can face criminal prosecution if they fail to do so or if they perform unauthorised alterations.

If making alterations, it is vital that an LBC has been granted for the works and that the correct materials and are used. Unapproved works could make resale difficult in the future and the wrong use of materials can be detrimental to the building and may contravene the LBC.

If you are considering altering or extending a Listed Building, then you will need to submit a planning application and make a Listed Building Consent application to the local planning authority (LPA). Lapider can do this on your behalf.

An LBC application will need to detail the proposed alterations and explain why it is required. This will be assessed by the local authority with the purpose of ensuring that historic and important buildings are not damaged. Generally, only sympathetic alterations will be considered for approval. This is supported by scale details drawings, photographs and a Heritage Impact Assessment (HIA) which describes the need for the works, evaluated other options and clarifies the materials and most appropriate method of construction. 

Older buildings are often a good habitat for bats. It is a requirement of a planning and the LBC application that a Bat Survey is carried out before and submitted at the same time as the planning and LBC applications. Depending on the type of survey required, some Bat surveys can only be carried out between April and September. This must be planned for when considering making an application.  (Natural Resources Wales).

Lapider work closely with ecologists to plan when to undertake relevant ecology surveys and when works may be undertaken. 

It is important that routine repairs and cyclical maintenance, is programmed to maintain the asset value of buildings.

Lapider can carry out maintenance surveys and produce cyclical maintenance contracts on behalf of clients. This assists our clients to budget for and programme future repairs that can prevent increased maintenance costs in the longer term. 

Our reactive and planned maintenance programmes can be a valuable tool in managing any property portfolio. Identifying issues and carrying out pre-emptive works ensures your building remains operational and viable. 

Lapider can act as an Expert Witness either as a Single Joint Expert (for both parties in a disputed) or a Party Appointed Expert (acting for one party) to carryout inspections, produce reports that are submitted or used by courts that comply with the Civil Procedure Rules (CPR) protocols and the RICS Practice Statement and Guidance Notes and attend court.

Lapider provides specialist building surveying construction advice and produce detailed technical Part 35 Civil Procedure Rules (CPR) compliant reports which are used to inform the courts on defects and disputes where expert witness advice is required.

Although Lapider are appointed by single or joint parties in a dispute, Lapider’s duties and obligations are to the court.

We have acted on behalf of local authorities and housing associations in relation section 11 housing disrepair claims and have been appointed to provide independent expert reports that are used to inform the courts.

The Party Wall Act 1996 provides a framework for preventing and resolving disputes in relation to works carried out on party walls.

The Act has many requirements on those intending to carryout works to party walls. A key requirement is that adjoining owners are notified if you propose to undertake any building works on or near the party walls.

Lapider is able to act on your behalf, either for a Building Owner, serving Party Wall Notices on Adjoining Owners; or for Adjoining Owners who have been severed notice by Building Owners.

Lapider has been providing architectural services for both domestic and commercial clients ranging from alterations and extensions, refurbishments and “new build” designs.

Lapider works closely with our clients to produce designs that are tailor made to clients’ needs. We understand that clients’ wishes are paramount and do not try to force our ideas upon them. We work with clients to achieve designs that meet their needs and are functional.

Lapider has our own in house fully Computer Aided Design (CAD) capability.

Lapider has gained a broad range of design skills and experience ranging from the reconfiguration of existing layouts to make better use of the space, to the redesign, extension and alteration of existing buildings.

Lapider have also undertaken new build schemes that meet clients’ requirements and fit within their environment.

Lapider can act as project managers or employers’ agents, project managing works being carried out on site.

Usually this follows on from Lapider’s architectural services, or building survey work, where issues have been identified. We can also act as employers’ agents to inspect and independently report on the progress of construction projects that have been designed by others.

Lapider will act as project managers, on client’s behalf to manage and inspect the works on site.

Lapider will administer the building contract using a JCT form of Building Contract.