Martin Ralph Chartered Surveyors

This section covers:

Land Assembly

Design

Project Management

Planning Applications

Building Regulation Applications

Party Wall

Boundary Disputes

Building Disputes

NHBC Professional Certification

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Professional Services

Land assembly
The practice has excellent contacts to assist in identifying development sites and organising land assembly projects.  We are also able to arrange partnering projects between our various clients and organise any necessary funding.

Design
Ralph Associates have in house design facilities and undertake new build, extension and refurbishment projects on a wide range of properties.  We fully appreciate the developers need to balance attractive design with cost and work closely with our clients to achieve a pleasing but practical solution.

Project management
Whilst most of our clients undertaking development work do not require a project management service, there are occasions where we are requested to oversee sub-contract operations or advise on forms of contract with sub-contractors.

Planning Applications
Once a scheme has been designed and agreed with the developer we are able to proceed with a Planning Application. Should part of the development incorporate a listed building or be in a conservation area we will also apply for the additional consents.

Building Regulation Applications
Once a scheme has planning permission we are able to offer a service to obtain building regulation approval. Details for these approvals will include all the necessary drawings together with all required structural and other calculations adequate for submission to Local Authority.

Party wall Advice
Since the Party Wall etc Act 1996 came into force, property owners in England and Wales have had a procedure to follow when building work involves a party wall or party fence wall.

The Act is designed to minimise disputes by making sure owners use a surveyor to determine the time and way in which work is carried out. You can use an ‘agreed surveyor’ to act for both property owners should problems arise.

Should you be undertaking any work on the party wall or excavating in the ground within 10m of an adjoining property one of our registered Party Wall Surveyors will be able to provide the necessary advice you will require.

Boundary disputes
Chartered surveyors specialising in boundaries are professional advisors with relevant knowledge of both property issues and the law.
As with most disputes we attempt in the initial stages to avoid litigation and liase between the two parties to reach an amicable solution, we will also advise on alternative dispute resolution procedures, which would avoid the need to go to court
If however this does not result in a conclusion acceptable to our client then litigation is often the only solution.  We will prepare any technical data that may help solve the dispute and, provide a court with the appropriate advice and information needed to make a judgement.

Building Disputes
The majority of building disputes occur where contractors are appointed to undertake work with an inadequate specification or contract however we also appointed where there is a dispute between the main contractor/developer and a sub-contractor.

Obviously the ideal situation is for an adequate specification to be produced in the first instance however where a dispute has arisen we are able to provide independent advice to assist in the resolution. As with most disputes our early involvement often negates the need for expensive litigation. Should the matter however proceed to court we can assist the acting solicitor by providing an expert witness service.
Professional Certification (NHBC)
In some instances it is either not practical or cost effective for developers to register with NHBC or Zurich to provide a warranty with new properties.

Providing we are involved with a development from the outset we will normally be able to undertake inspections of the project as it proceeds and provide a professional certificate on completion.

This certificate offers a similar warranty to that provided by NHBC or Zurich.