Why you should attend this training session..:

This is our third visit to the house and more opportunities will be available as the project proceeds.

This is a unique opportunity to see a house that is almost uninhabitable and in a very poor state.  The appearance from the front is deceptive and it is not what it might appear to be.

The property was formerly owned by a local estate and repairs and maintenance is sparse to the point of being non-existent.  What has been done, has been done poorly.   In this one building we now have the opportunity to see close to being a full text book of building survey defects.   It is a really special opportunity for anyone learning, those interested in old buildings and those who are looking for greater experience.

You will get to see the whole building and, as a group, we will discuss how a pre-purchase building survey might be undertaken on it .   You will be within a safe and nurtured environment in a very small group of like-minded people.   Use the opportunity to ask any questions that arise.  There is no such thing a silly question.

By the end of the training you will be more confident and aware of..:

• Understand your responsibilities and liabilities as a professional building surveyor
• Have a better understanding of the client needs for having the survey done
• Take a methodical approach to the process of doing a building survey
• Identify a range of common defects found in this type and age of building
• Make better decisions on the advice that you will provide to your client
• Learn about when it might be necessary to make a referral for further inspections
• Have better confidence in yourself
• Be able to write confident and well presented reports for your client

Training Format

This training will be delivered in-person at the house, which is located in Cranborne, Dorset – BH21 post code area.  It is a private residence.   The full address and joining instructions will be given after you have purchased a place on the course.

Suitability

Professionals from a wide variety of disciplines including residential surveyors and valuers, building surveyors, architects, and structural engineers as well as the many conservation trades will benefit.

This is also perfectly suitable for anyone with a general interest in older buildings.   That can include homeowners and buyers, for example.   Students, from all backgrounds, will find this especially valuable to their learning.

It will be particularly suitable for those who have some limited experience of doing RICS Level 2 and Level 3 building surveys and want to know more about older buildings.   It might also be suitable for more experienced surveyors who wish to broaden their knowledge of this period of architecture.

This training is open and available to everyone.  Please do consider your own personal circumstances and your ability to use stairs as this is very likely to apply to the venue, town walk and/or any private property visit.  There may be uneven terrain and during any walkabout we may be crossing roads. Do let us know if you require any reasonable adjustments and we can discuss this further and try to adapt where possible.

Timing

There is no catering facility and we won’t stop for a lunch break.  You are, of course, welcome to bring your own drinks and snacks/sandwiches.

There is no functional bathroom, but there is a pub just up the road if you are desperate!

9:30 – Arrive

10:00 – Introductions and the day starts.   We will be constantly walking and talking, with ample opportunity for questions, discussions and explanations.

15:00 –  Depart.

CPD

This training will typically provide up to about 5 hours of formal CPD.

Training Instructor

This training will be taught by Prof. Duncan Philips FRICS.  Duncan is one of the UK’s most experienced Chartered Building Surveyors regarding historic and Listed Buildings, having been doing this work for over 30 years.   He runs Listed Building Surveys and he was Chair of the RICS Building Conservation Steering Group 2017 – 2023. He is the lead author of the new RICS Professional Standard – Conservation of Heritage Buildings and Assets, which will be published in 2024.  Duncan teaches building surveying, architectural history, building pathology and building conservation to undergraduate, postgraduate and mature students and also to the general public and the trades.