Why you should do this training course

This is our third visit to this house.   This visit follows some extensive ‘opening up’ works to expose the historic timber-frame to further understand the extent of decay and to help with the decision making of what thermal insulation products might be suitable.

This is a unique opportunity to see a Suffolk farm house in its ‘raw’ state before a series of sensitive conservation repairs will take place over the next few years.   All being well, I am hoping that we can visit this house on several occasions as the work progresses.

The white painted rendered facade hides a much older historic timber-framed house.  Some initial ‘opening-up’ suggests that is could be C16 and close-studded.   The render is cement based, almost like concrete, and is on an expanded metal lath.  It may have been added in the 1950’s or 1960’s.   The sole plate, where exposed, has been severely damaged by decay.

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 Long Thurlow, Suffolk – IP31 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 from this unique training opportunity.

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.

Content

This training will typically include..:

• Placing this building in context of our architectural history
• RICS expectations on you as a professional building surveyor
• Best practice when undertaking a building survey for a RICS Level 3 report
• Health and Safety.   Surveying safely.
• Building pathology for this specific type of property
• Moisture assessment, decision making and reporting
• Listed Building Consent applications and procedures
• Climate change considerations and sustainability issues
• Client care
• Professional liability
• Report writing and how to use photos

Timing

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

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.  This time is entirely flexible and it could be earlier.

CPD

This training will provide up to 4 or 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 35 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.