Trust Arc 3 to provide ‘Surveys’ for Residential and Commercial properties and ‘Expert Reports’ for disputes. Arc 3 also provides ‘Lease Plans’ to Land Registry compliance standards or ‘House Plans’ for the home.

We offer a range of structured services which include ‘Building and Structural Surveys’ and to act as a ‘Party Wall Surveyor’ under the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 for either the Building Owner or the Adjoining Owner.

EXAMPLE BUILDING SURVEYING

The following are edited example versions of some of our Building Surveys.

• Residential Structural Survey
• House Buyer Survey

ARC 3 ALSO PROVIDES THE FOLLOWING TYPES OF SURVEYING:

• Valuation Survey
• Auction or Pre-purchase
• House Buyers Survey
• Flat Buyers Survey
• Structural Survey - Building Survey
• Dimensional Survey
• Insurance and Rebuild Survey
• Insurance Claims
• Fire Claims
• Party Wall Survey
• Schedule of Condition
• Schedule of Repairs
• Schedule of Dilapidation
• Expert Witness Report

AS CHARTERED SURVEYORS, WE CAN ALSO ASSIST WITH THE FOLLOWING:

• Landlords or Freeholders Consents for Structural Changes to your property.
• Insurance Valuations and Claims.
• Valuations reports.
• Business Rates appeal.
• Landlord and Tenant matters.
• Facilities Management.
• Building regulations
• Planning a development 
• Digging deep - Cellar conversions
• Extending your living space
• Raising the roof
• Drawings of Plans
• Choosing a builder

Many properties provide potential for expansion - either up, out or even down. Providing building works are undertaken sensibly, such work can add value to your property or home while giving the occupiers or your family more room to live and work.

With a little imagination and some expert advice, you could add a conservatory, convert your loft space into the home office or spare room you've always wanted, or even excavate a cellar or basement.

It’s also useful for those looking to improve their property before putting it on the market, or for home buyers planning to develop it.

Our ‘Design Development Process’ is structured and organised in a way that your decisions on design are made on your lifestyle and future requirements and what suits you best. Architecture is not an exact science it is a subjective and organic process which refines from one scheme to the other until the client feels comfortable with the proposals. The best and most suitable scheme is then tested for a Planning Decision. Arc 3 normally undertakes pre-planning communication with the Planners to prevent problems or difficulties during the considering stages prior to decision. The clients are requested to keep good relations with neighbours and if possible obtain support letters.

We use our wealth of knowledge to source experienced and reliable ‘Building Contractors’ and use our best endeavors to get your project ‘On Time and On Budget’. We also source specialists to cater for bespoke designs, from Swimming Pool specialists, Green Roofs, Music Rooms, Acoustic Surveys to Lighting Consultants and Media (Audio Visual) Consultants. You can be assured that every element of the each project is managed and co-ordinated with care and attention to detail.

Realize the potential of your property or land. We are passionate and pride ourselves in bringing creativity and different angle previously not considered by clients. This allows us to Project Manage assignments and projects of all sectors from commercial to new builds and from new homes to extensions and flat conversions and refurbishments.

We will guide you with the feasibility and initial appraisal of the project with the following and similar organised support strategy to progress your intentions and project:

• Our opinion on whether the project is feasible and we may provide sketches where appropriate.
• Our opinion on whether the client's intentions will enhance the quality of environment the clients are seeking.
• If relevant our view, whether the client's intentions will realize the potential value of the site or even enhance the potential sale of the site.
• Planning and Building Control Matters if relevant.
• Fee proposal
• Other Consultants cost estimate.
• Preliminary Estimated construction costs following our discussions, if relevant (subject to design)
• Programme for the works. How long each stage will take.
• Or any other issues relevant to your project where applicable.

Our experience has shown that very few Contractors intend to let their customers down or involve them into a bitter experience. The problems normally arise because of poor planning, lack of site inspections, and the absence of clearly defined specification and schedule of works. Recognising these failure points, our firm has actively promoted preventative measures and we have devised a special system, which is both effective and affordable. This involves proper schedules of work and specification, agreement of JCT Contracts with and agreed programme, liquidated and ascertained damages (penalty) clauses for non-completion and delays, negotiated rates for additional works, insurance's agreed and payment schedules agreed with the nominated Contractor. 

By instructing Arc 3, the client’s benefits are:

• Peace of mind
• We achieve quality environment to the client’s needs.
• Achieve higher standard of workmanship.
• Achieve genuine cost savings and agreement to sensible prices negotiated with Contractors and suppliers, regarding additional works and the final account.
• Give the client, a second opinion on subjective issues and evaluate the time cost implications, if relevant and the impact on the critical path of the project construction programme.

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES FROM A PARTY WALL SURVEYOR

If you are planning a project which involves works to the ‘Party Wall’. A Party Wall is a wall shared by two owners of two properties. 

This mainly applies to terrace or semi-detached properties) or if you are building an extension with new deeper foundations within 3 meters. or 6 meters of the adjoining owners wall; you may need to serve ‘Party Wall Notices’ under the Party Wall etc. Act. 1996. This may affect your project works and time-scale. Normally a Party Structure Notice has a time frame of two months and a Section 6 notice has a time frame of one month.

Arc 3 strives to provide a service that assists both the Building Owners and the Adjoining Building Owners. Once you appoint the ‘Principal’ to act as your Party Wall Surveyor, he will ensure you are protected by the Act and assist in avoiding extra costs or project delays, by receiving all the necessary information one needs for the notifiable works before the project commences on site to the relevant areas.

For Building Owners and Neighbours (Adjoining Building Owners) alike, our Party Wall Services will include the following: Based in London and covering Wandsworth, Clapham, West Wickham, and Kent

PROTOCOL COMPLIED BY ARC 3 REGARDING PARTY WALL MATTERS:

The extent of works involved for above works is difficult to estimate however we note the services undertaken by the named/appointed Surveyor from Arc 3.

1.00   Normally the adjoining owner’s surveyor’s fees are paid by the Building                    Owner. The crucial point to note is that the awards need to be published with               the costs inserted in the appropriate section for the Building Owner to pay the           cost

1.01   Arc 3 will undertake an initial appraisal with discussions and agreement on                details and crystallize the appointment under Section 10 of the Party Wall etc.            Act. 1996 

1.02   We will review/serve appropriate notices which normally are covered under                section 1, 2 or 6 of the Party Wall Act

1.03   Agree the 3rd Surveyor as required under the Party Wall etc. Act. 1996

1.04   We will carry out a ‘Schedule of Condition’ of the adjoining owner’s property.              The property is normally inspected by both Party Wall Surveyors or by the                    ‘Agreed Joint Party Wall Surveyor’

1.05   Review and Publish Award

1.06   Monitor and make one or two site visits as appropriate

1.07   Final inspection to check ‘Schedule of Condition’ and sign off Awards

1.08   General Telephone calls and other communications

1.09   Evaluate quantum or price for works

1.10   Specialist consultants will be appointed on the owner’s behalf when and                     where appropriate

PARTY WALL ETC, ACT 1996:

Subject to the proposals under sections 1, 2 and/or 6 of the Party Wall etc. Act 1996, the works may place a duty on the Building Owner to provide a written notification to the neighbours (Adjoining Owners), at least one month (two months for section 2) prior to the start on site. Building Owner undertaking the work is normally liable to pay the adjoining owners surveyors costs which could range from £500 to £3750 or more per surveyor subject to the complexity of matters. Further advice will be provided if requested, once the notices are served and drawings and proper documentation provided.

The normal questions ‘Owners’ will have are:

• What is a party wall?
• What do I have to do?
• The Party Wall etc. Act
• What if there's a dispute
• What is covered by the Party Wall etc. Act 1996
• Why should I use a party wall surveyor? 

THE ADVANTAGES OF USING ARC 3

Firstly it is a member of the world recognised Chartered Organisation known as RICS - Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors. As members of the RICS:

• Arc 3 will give you clear, impartial and expert advice
• Arc 3 will protect your interest via the correct administration of the legal process
• Arc 3 are tightly regulated and have strict codes of conduct to protect you - including proper insurance
• Arc 3 are RICS members, who have to update their skills and knowledge throughout their careers, to rely on their expertise

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES FOR 'DESIGN AND BUILD' AND 'FACILITY MANAGEMENT'

Whether you are an ‘Owner’, ‘Business’ or ‘Landlord’ looking for a ‘Design and Build’ service or a Freeholder looking for a ‘Facilities Management’ service. Arc 3 can help.

DESIGN & BUILD

FOR CLIENTS LOOKING FOR 'DESIGN AND BUILD' SERVICES AND FACILITY MANAGEMENT ARC 3 WILL INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING:

• Arc 3 undertakes an appraisal which will include a feasibility study and prepare a programme with proposals and costs estimates
• Arc 3 will appoint the Consultants – Quantity Surveyors, Structural Engineers, Drainage Engineers and so on
• Arc 3 will appoint the CDM – Planning Supervisor
• Arc 3 will prepare and submit the Planning and Building Regulation Applications
• Arc 3 will prepare the Outline Specification and prepare the Scope of Works
• Arc 3 will source the Building Contractor suitable for the project and Project Manage the contract
• Arc 3 will get the project completed and handover the project on ‘Practical Completion’
• The clients need to provide funding with payments on account for the various stages as agreed
• Arc 3 caters to Landlords, Owners and Companies looking for a Professional and caring Service.

FACILITIES MANAGEMENT

ARC 3 CATERS TO LANDLORDS, OWNERS AND COMPANIES LOOKING FOR A PROFESSIONAL AND CARING SERVICE. WE NORMALLY PROVIDE THE FOLLOWING (WHICH IS SUBJECT TO INSTRUCTIONS) FOR SERVICES RELATING TO ‘FACILITIES MANAGEMENT’:

• Arc 3 will evaluate your needs and formulate a brief.
• Arc 3 will review the instructions, review the type of property and prepare a structured strategy and agree the working document with the Instructing Client.
• Arc 3 will inspect the property and land and prepare a report and recommendations.
• Arc 3 will prepare a programmed repair and maintenance schedule and appoint building contractors suitable for purpose and instruct them accordingly.
• Arc 3 will visit site and programme the works in an orderly manner taking into account the occupiers and neighbours.
• Prepare reports at regular intervals.
• Have a management meeting with the client at set or regular intervals to agree the present and future proposals.
• Agree costs and Professional Charges