Frequently Asked Questions

Find answers to your most common questions about building consultation and surveying solutions. With over 40 years of experience, David Simmonds provides expert guidance on building conditions, forensics and building pathology.

Browse through these frequently asked questions.

General Questions

What services does David Simmonds Building Solutions offer?

We provide comprehensive building consultation and surveying services for residential and commercial clients, including:

Building surveys and condition reports, Local Authority, Housing Groups and Domestic Properies.
Defect investigations and solutions.
Cost guidance and management.
Planning and building regulation advice.
Simplified party wall services.
Contract administration.

What areas do you cover?

Based in Evesham, we primarily serve The Cotswolds, Worcester, Worcestershire, Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire and the Midlands but we can take on projects throughout The United Kingdom.

Surveying Services

What types of surveys do you offer?

Our surveying services include:

Building condition surveys
Structural surveys
Pre-purchase surveys
Dilapidation surveys
Party wall surveys
Measured building surveys
Defect analysis
Schedule of condition reports

How long does a building survey take?

The duration depends on the property size and survey type:

Small residential properties: typically 2-4 hours
Larger properties: 1-2 days
Commercial properties: 1-5 days depending on size Additional time is required for report preparation.

What's included in your survey reports?

Our comprehensive survey reports include:

Detailed property condition assessment
Photographic evidence
Identified defects and issues
Repair recommendations
Cost estimates for required works (Separate Report Page or Document)
Priority rankings for repairs
Future maintenance advice
Technical drawings where relevant

Working With Us

How do I get started with your services?

The process is straightforward:

Contact us via phone or email
We’ll arrange an initial consultation online or phone consultation.
A Site visit will attract an expenses fee refundable, when things go ahead.
We’ll provide a detailed proposal and quote
Once approved, we’ll begin.

How do you charge for your services?

We offer several fee structures:

Fixed fee for defined scope projects
Hourly rates for consulting services
Custom fee arrangements for specific requirements All fees are clearly outlined in our proposal documents.

What information do you need before starting?

To begin, we typically need:

We offer a FREE initial consultation usually by phone or Teams/WhatsApp/Google Meet. All site visits are chargeable.

Qualifications & Insurance

What qualifications do your team members hold?

Our team members hold relevant qualifications including:

- 40 + Years Time Served
  
  RICS Certificate in Building Surveying Practice.

Certifications in:

- 1. Construction, Technology & Environmental Services
- 2. Design & Specification
- 3. Inspection
- 4. Building Patholgy
- 5. Contract Administration
- 6. Legal/Regulatory Compliance & Property Management
- Project Management Professional (PMP) Certification
- CDM Construction Design Management Certification
- Risk Assessment Certified. HSWA 1974, HSWR 1999. SSOW
- RAMS and HRRB (High Risk Residential Building) Certified and Experience.
- Asbestos Awareness (Category A) ROSPA Certification
- Fire Risk Assessment (ROSPA Certification)