Blogs from the team

What Is Cold Bridging In Buildings & What Can You Do About It?

Cold bridging problems Cold bridging is a big problem for blocks of flats built after the second world war. It happens when the insulation surrounding a flat or house is 'bridged', creating a cold spot upon which condensation can settle. In concrete construction,...

What Is The JCT Minor Works Building Contract?

The JCT Minor Works Building Contract is a formal contract designed for construction projects where the work is of a simple nature such as home extensions, refurbishment and maintenance. The Joint Contracts Tribunal (the JCT) was established by the RIBA (Royal...

Prices Rise Except in London: The Housing Market in Early 2017

John Wade, director at Grumitt Wade Mason Chartered Surveyors, takes a look at the RICS Housing Market Survey and gets the view on the ground from a local estate agent. The RICS Housing Market Survey for January 2017 reported that prices continue to rise in all...

Column details on a Regency building in Brighton

A Very Short Guide To Planning Applications

Hi, I’m Jai. I’m in my 2nd year of studying Building Surveying at the University of Brighton and I started working at Grumitt Wade Mason around Easter 2016. I contacted them about summer work experience and I have been working for them alongside my studies ever...

Can A Surveyor Be An Expert Witness?

A surveyor was first used as an expert witness in 1782 in the case of Folkes & Chadd. The case looked at whether farmers should be responsible for the silting of Wells Harbour. Since that time, surveyors have worked as expert witnesses on many occasions and...

What is BIM? A Beginners Guide

Over the last few years, BIM has become something of a buzzword in the construction sector. In this post, I explore what it is and its importance in the future of the industry. What is BIM and why is it important? The acronym 'BIM' is an abbreviation of Building...

What Causes Black Mould in 1960s Purpose-Built Blocks?

The cold nights are drawing in, you're about to dust off the winter coat, and that black mould has started to appear in the same spot again! Black mould is linked to condensation, which is common in 1960s purpose-built blocks. Why? The answer is usually cold...

Potentially Serious Defects In Your New Property: Part 2

In my last blog post, I listed nine potentially serious defects to look out for in your new property. Here I’ve increased my list to eighteen! 10. Chimney Breasts When chimney breasts are removed then the remaining section of chimney breast above needs to be...

9 Property Defects To Check When Viewing A House

In my last blog post I highlighted checks you can make before having a survey. In this post I look at some of the more common property defects we encounter as surveyors. Why not add them to your house viewing checklist so you don't get any nasty surprises? 1. Flat...

Grumitt Wade’s Top New Builds of 2015

Slandering: it seems to be a right of way for building surveyors when discussing the new and proposed architectural ‘wonders’ which grace our eyes every year. But there is such a difference in opinion when it comes to surveyors and preferred architecture. Some...

What’s The Crack? The Problem With Pre-Cast Concrete

Cracks are scary, there is no denying it, but as a chartered surveyor, I know a crack isn’t always a reason to panic. We're starting this series with pre-cast concrete cracks but I'll be looking at the different types of cracks you might come across, how serious...

As Clear As Day: Why Use Frameless Glass?

Glass has always been popular in the construction industry, thanks to its versatile nature and its ability to let light in while keeping the elements out! In recent years, the use of frameless glass has grown. Bare minimum glass As you can see from the above...