Condition Surveys around Slurry Pipeline Mishap - Kent

Whilst drilling horizontally for a new pipeline within 200 metres of private residences in Kent, unforeseen geological conditions resulted in drilling slurry traversing horizontally and flooding out through a well adjacent to the front door of one of the houses.

The slurry flowed into the under-floor void, contaminating it.  It also flowed over the drive and the planting borders and caused a traffic hazard when it reached the nearby main road.

Consultation with the police, the fire brigade and the Environment Agency led to a prompt clean up operation.  

Metcalfe Briggs Surveyors were engaged by the drilling company to assist with their insurers to objectively assess the extent of the damage to the house and land and to scope the necessary clean up operation and remedial works to the newly refurbished period house.

Insurance Reinstatement Due To Damage Caused By a Collapsed Wall, Kent

Late on New Year’s Eve a 200 year old eight foot high retaining wall collapsed, landing on the neighbour’s prestige car.

The ownership of the retaining wall was lost to history and both neighbours obtained reliable legal opinion that the wall was not theirs.

The insurers of both properties were approached and also the insurers of the damaged motor car and all disclaimed liability.

Causation had to be established and liability attributed but eventually, under the guidance of Metcalfe Briggs Surveyors, the two neighbouring owners agreed to progress the necessary remedial works jointly and to share the costs equally.

A feasibility exercise was undertaken, considering traditional construction, reinforced concrete, steel piling, gabions, pre-cast units, crib wall and hollow concrete blocks.

Civil and structural engineering advice was procured, a specification agreed upon in consultation with experienced civil contractors, and the works were successfully completed, resulting in an attractive brick finish and the addition of car park lighting.

Sewage Leaks Into Residential Basement

A majority utilities replacement programme resulted in a foul drain becoming broken under a residential street in Tonbridge, Kent and raw sewage leaking into a nearby basement, the residence of an elderly lady.

Metcalfe Briggs Surveyors were employed by the national utilities contractor to provide an objective assessment of the extent of the damage, the decontamination work necessary, the repair, drying and redecoration work necessary and any ancillary costs such as temporary re-housing which may be required.

Our inspection and report quickly established the true position, including pre-existing dampness, and enabled the contractor to obtain authorisation from insurers to proceed to quickly reinstate the premises without unnecessary delay.

Resolved Out Of Court - Residential Property Kent

A building dispute had arisen between a major housebuilder and the owners of a newly purchased prestige, high value detached house. Metcalfe Briggs Surveyors were instructed by the owners to assist in the resolution of a number of issues.  Whilst the house was of very considerable size, to a very high specification and standard of design, it was let down by finishing.

Metcalfe Briggs produced a clear report, identifying all the shortcomings and the remedial action needed.  This mainly involved external joinery and decoration, external pavings and drainage levels, deflection and cracking of brick arches over window openings, cracked and damaged pre-cast stone cills and other components, non-compliant flue terminations, non-matching pointing, a very large number of scratched sealed double glazed units and boiler failure/safety issues.

We were able to establish a positive dialogue with the housebuilder, resulting in a coherent programme of work, re-housing of the purchasers during the work and eventual satisfactory completion. This was achieved without resorting to formal dispute resolution procedures or Court action.

Party Wall Inspection to Settle Dispute - Wateringbury

The Building Owner contacted Metcalfe Briggs Surveyors as he had received a query from his neighbour that the foundations excavated for the Building Owner’s extension contravened the 3 metre rule under the Party Wall Etc. Act 1996. The Act states that if a footing is dug within 3 metres of an adjoining property and is lower than the existing footings of the adjoining property, the Act applies.

Inspection showed that the new footings did not exceed those of the neighbours; a report confirming matters was provided that satisfied the neighbour.