Cost of Reinstatement After Intense Factory Fire - Kent

An intense fire destroyed much of the interior of an industrial unit which was part of a larger building owned by clients of Metcalfe Briggs Surveyors.   Smoke spread to the whole building, causing extensive contamination and the need for a major clear up operation.

Appointed under the terms of the insurance policy we quickly quantified the extent of the damage and the cost of reinstatement, including asbestos removal and dealing with gas, electrical and compressed air installations.

Liability was agreed with the loss adjustor and also the scope for the insured to apply the monies to best advantage in improving the unit in readiness for re-letting.

In addition to the usual constraints and need for transparency in specifying and procuring the necessary works, there was a need for precise accounting so that the loss adjustor could keep track of the insurance company’s exposure and the insured could be aware at all times of the monies at his disposal to make the changes which he required to the unit.

The result was a clean, well lit, modern unit ready for letting, with good lighting, good security, ample power distribution and CAT 5 cabling.

Insurance Negotiations After Swimming Pool Fire - Kent

A newly constructed indoor swimming pool was completely destroyed by an electrical fire which also spread to the extensive garages and outbuildings, resulting in a total loss, fortunately not spreading to the large rural house adjacent.

Metcalfe Briggs Surveyors were appointed under the terms of the householder’s insurance policy and arranged immediate site clearance and making safe, taking account of the presence of hazards such as vehicles, fuel tanks, gas cylinders and asbestos.

The necessary reinstatement works were specified and costed, taking account of the need to comply with modern building practices and regulations.  The opportunity was taken to re-design the collection of outbuildings which had accumulated over a long period into a unified whole, providing additional guest accommodation, garaging, stabling and storage facilities, in addition to reinstating the indoor swimming pool.

Negotiations took place with the insurance company, taking account of betterment and ultimately a six figure settlement sum was agreed, leaving the householder free to apply the proceeds to provide replacement accommodation to his specification.

Social Landlord Leasehold Dilapidations Survey - Kent

In 1914 a family trust created a lease of 99 years’ duration at a rent of £3 for a row of six tenanted cottages in Kent to provide accommodation under the Housing of the Working Classes Acts 1890-1909 – i.e. social housing.

Over the years the lease was assigned several times but on approaching expiry there was a need to assess dilapidations both for cottages which had become vacant and for cottages which were still occupied and where the tenants were hoping to remain after the lease had reverted to the landlord.

Metcalfe Briggs Surveyors acting for the Registered Social Landlord leaseholder, conducted a survey of the exterior and interior condition and decoration, assessed the extent of dilapidations liability under the lease and negotiated an agreed financial sum with the landlord in order to negotiate an early surrender of the lease and to ensure a smooth transition for the remaining residents.

The requirements of the public funding body for social housing had to be taken into account and, ultimately, the Social Landlord leaseholder decided to undertake repairs themselves and to hand the properties back at lease expiry in good repair, having taken advantage of standing arrangements with framework contractors in order to carry out the necessary repairs economically.