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Timber is used as a structural material in the construction of various buildings old and new, it is a natural resource that offers strong, long-term integrity and functionality. However, wood is also a vulnerable material that needs to be protected. Two of the main threats to structural timber are wet rot and dry rot. In this blog post, we will take a look at how to spot signs of dry rot and what to do next. What is dry rot?…

A period property can make a wonderful home and may also be a shrewd investment. The building’s original features, size and location impart a unique character that modern homes simply cannot deliver. Nearly two thirds of participants in a recent lifestyle study cited this as the key appeal of older homes. These special architectural qualities, coupled with the limited supply of historical buildings, go some way to explain their premium pricing in the housing market. As one estate agent puts…

The New Year started with a ‘bang’ as enquires were received throughout the latest lockdown and also during the usual office two week break in a way never experienced before Everybody was pleased to receive confirmation that H+R would be contributing significantly to the scheduled Phase 2 refurbishments at Wentworth Woodhouse having also been engaged in Phase 1. In all, four different Conservation Architect led consortiums tendering for the work included H+R in their submissions From the greatest buildings in…

The year that was 2020, and the eastern team’s first year in its new Newark office saw everyone’s day to day lives change and many of life’s activities cease or change pace as we have adapted to living amidst a global pandemic. Despite this disruptive event we were pleased that the surveying services of the H+R eastern office remained in demand and the office in Newark was open throughout 2020 with working practices adapted to meet the needs of our…

Every effort was taken to celebrate Christmas albeit following the lockdown rules. The usual 26-foot tree filled Netley’s hallway and opportunity was taken to exchange festive greetings in person and to give gifts whenever a suitable occasion arose. All of H+R’s staff have maintained a high tempo in their work, servicing our clients throughout the strictures of the pandemic and successfully adapting our working practices. We are so fortunate to have at Netley a large well ventilated building with no-one…

The month saw some more returns to old haunts. Albany in Piccadilly was taken to the next stage in its remedial strategy for dealing with penetrating damp and retained moisture. H+R’s last visit was in 2016. The mansion known as Brightwells in Farnham finally started its refurbishment, 4 years after H+R were first engaged. In addition, H+R started re-assessing a dilapidated stately home which is now possibly the largest private home refurbishment in the UK, after an interval of 10…

In September H+R undertook a follow-up investigation of water penetration to the tower of Kendal Parish Church. This Grade I listed building has been a religious site from the Anglo-Saxon period with the current Anglican church dating from 1201.  To fully understand the performance of the building envelope it was necessary to undertake specialist examinations of the masonry condition at depth. Access was by MEWP where possible and elsewhere rope access was used.  Close examination identified that although previous phases…

The easing of COVID restrictions has encouraged more projects to start in the month on top of what was a very lively run of work in September It is always a pleasure to work in Holland Park and H+R have been tasked with careful analysis and scheduling of the historic fixtures and fittings of one property prior to extensive refurbishment Of a more modest nature, work continues for Surrey County Council assessing and auditing the condition of farm buildings in…

The month has been a continuation of the growth in demand for H+R’s services and a further two full time surveyors have been appointed so that the existing team and client base are fully supported. Both Tom and Will are graduates in building conservation and share a wide working experience in stonemasonry, leadwork and carpentry. This skillset has already been put to good use especially on a large retail refurbishment in Mayfair Two projects have started on 19th century buildings…

In May H+R were instructed to assess the condition and performance of a primary school in Manchester that has been plagued by water penetration despite numerous attempts at repair.  The 1950’s school was an early example of timber prefabrication in the UK designed principally for speed due to a major nationwide shortage of classroom space following the Second World War.  The benefits of the innovative ‘Derwent’ timber-frame system were that it could be repeated easily across the country and be…

H+R staff have been working at full capacity throughout the month with numerous projects coming back on-stream.  In addition, the pick-up in the housing market has resulted in above average numbers of specialist pre-purchase risk management surveys on a wide range of homes managing from flat conversions to Grade I listed country houses Taking all that we have learnt to heart, H+R have been conducting their own pre-purchase surveys prior to concluding the freehold of our North of England offices…

July saw the return of various buildings back into the orbit of H+R, in some cases after many years! Survey work at Uppark for the National Trust resumed for the first time since the fire in 1989. More recently, work re-started at 112 Eaton Square after a hiatus of 2 years and Graylingwell in Chichester after 4 years. This is not as uncommon as it may sound as, once we have been introduced to a building, they have a way…