Join us for an interactive, practical introduction to surveying pre-1918 buildings under the expert tuition of two experienced historic building surveyors, Declan Cahill and Simon Hollis.

This course takes place on the Hardwick Hall estate, offering an invaluable opportunity to carry out a condition survey on an estate building of this historic site. You will learn how to understand and differentiate between pre- and post-1918 construction methods, materials and structures. You’ll also learn how to prepare and carry out a condition survey tailored towards these traditional buildings, before putting these skills into practice in the afternoon.

We will be joined by the National Trust’s Head of Surveying, Alan Gardner, and National Trust Property Curator, Liz Waring, and meet Richard Wilkes and fellow stonemasons at work in Hardwick Hall’s stonemasonry yard. This will give you the opportunity to discuss the unique challenges of surveying and working with historic buildings at a real site, and with a range of highly experienced professionals.

Who is this course for?

Surveyors of buildings, particularly early career professionals or those who would like to work more with traditionally constructed buildings.

You will learn

By the end of this course, you will:

• Understand what can be expected when undertaking surveys of pre-1918 buildings of solid wall construction.
• Understand how surveys to traditionally constructed buildings differ from modern buildings.
• Learn how to approach surveys to traditionally constructed buildings, including the use of heritage-specific surveying standards and reports, non-destructive surveying techniques, and how to identify retrofit opportunities.
• Gain practical experience undertaking a condition survey of a traditional building.
• Have the opportunity to ask questions on traditional building materials and techniques.
• Get an introduction to the SPAB Approach to building conservation, repair & maintenance.

Course outline

You will need

• Please wear overalls or working clothes and sturdy (flat, enclosed) footwear, ideally steel toe-capped boots. All other PPE is provided.
• Part of the day will be spent outside, so we recommend you wear warm layers and bring waterproofs in case of rain.

Practical information

• The nearest train station is Chesterfield, which is a 20-minute taxi ride away from Hardwick Hall.
• A light lunch will be provided. Please indicate any dietary requirements in the booking form.

Tutors

Declan Cahill

Declan is a historic building surveyor and rope access surveyor based in Sheffield, with over nine years of experience working in building conservation. Declan has worked across a variety of historic buildings, from vernacular residential, ecclesiastical and agricultural buildings to large-scale industrial, commercial and ruinous structures. He was a 2016 SPAB Scholar and is a member of IHBC and CIOB.

Simon Hollis

Simon has been working in the built environment for 18 years and set up Simon Hollis Chartered Surveyors in 2020 to specialise in traditionally constructed buildings, building pathology and moisture-related defects. Simon lectures part-time on the Building Surveying and related courses at Sheffield Hallam University.

Other Contributors

Alan Gardner, National Trust Head of Surveying
Liz Waring, National Trust Property Curator
Richard Wilkes, Stonemason and Building Supervisor for the Hardwick Specialist Crafts Team

Accreditation

This course is recognised by the IHBC for Continuing Professional Development (CPD).

Accessibility

• There are accessible toilets, one next to the course location and another100 metres from the car park.
• The course will be held at the Park Centre meeting room and around the masonry yard, both of which are on ground level.
• The Park Centre is wheelchair accessible, and most masonry yard buildings are accessible and navigable.
• There are accessible routes around the ground floor of the main house and the gardens.
•  Delegates will be able to park for free at the Park Centre and then either walk or drive (car-sharing to limit numbers parked at the masons yard) to the stable yard for the afternoon session.
• There are designated parking spaces for blue badge holders.

Anything we can do to make this event more accessible for you? Please email education@spab.org.uk