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The Land Registration Act of 2002 set out new requirements on how title and lease plans should be presented and what information they should contain. In fact, you can buy a compliant survey on the internet for as little as £100. My question is does this really represent good value to the owner of a commercial property? An individual or business may require a number of different surveys to be undertaken during the lifecycle of the building, and like many things surveys are too often purchased on price and not value. To answer this question you need to understand the value of the information that can be gained by commissioning an accurate survey at an early stage. You also need to consider the usefulness of your survey for the lifecycle of the building, not just for a single purpose such as conveyancing. Preparing an accurate representation of the building, the land it sits on and it’s context, may cost more than purchasing a lease plan from the internet, but by doing so you are actually creating a permanent digital record. This record can be added to and used again and again, saving you money over the longer term. By creating an accurate digital drawing file you are also creating a central repository for storing vital information about the building. This can used by solicitors, tenants, facilities management, energy assessors, building surveyors, letting agents, architects, health and safety advisors and maintenance engineers. Surely this represents good value? National Accounts Manager mjohnson@cadesignservices.co.uk Nationwide Models Property Cost Savings We are pleased to announce a three year contract award from Nationwide Building Society for technical design and related services as part of it’s ongoing development of high quality space and utilisation data and design standards.
The contract includes the migration and linking of existing space and asset data into a single database using CADS SpaceStation software application to provide improved reporting on both Head Office and Branch space. The contract also includes the implementation of future branch design work into a BIM (building information modelling) format including consultancy and engagement with the existing Nationwide supply chain and integration into current and future information systems. Nationwide’s Business and Planning Transformation Manager Robert Cock takes up the story “Nationwide has a sizeable property portfolio across the UK and we recognised that moving our branch and administration space data into a single system will provide us with improved reporting and analysis and assist the delivery of cost savings to our members. C A Design ticked all our boxes in terms of know-how, existing services, software and innovative thinking we believed necessary to deliver these improvements to our business.” CADS Director Guy Moates adds “We are very proud to have been selected by Nationwide. The contract includes delivery of software, BIM consultancy, architectural design, 3D visualisation, surveys and space planning services and we believe C A Design is at the forefront of the market in offering a joined-up portfolio of in-house services that major property owners need to improve their understanding and use of facilities whilst lowering their on-going costs”.
For more information e-mail Guy Moates or call 014930 440444. At CADS, we often get enquiries from people who aren’t sure of whether they need a land survey, and what the land surveying process involves. I’m going to try to answer 3 of the most common questions regarding land surveying. If you have any other questions, leave a comment and I’ll get back to you…
Q1. What exactly is a land survey? Land surveys could also be known as topographical surveys, topo surveys or level surveys and will look like a planametric birds-eye view of the site. A land surveyor visits site, measuring and recording details of your land and all relevant features on it, then produces a scale drawing in either digital and/or paper copy format. The end result of a land survey gives Architects, Developers, Authorities or land owners a set of accurate scale drawings, for anything from a single building plot project to a major city redevelopment scheme.
Q2 Do I need a land survey for development work on my house? An accurate land survey of your grounds or plot will allow an architect or developer to take into account any structures, trees, plants, water features, level changes etc., when drawing up your proposals or designs. Any of these features could affect design or development work and if they are not accurately recorded you could find yourself shelling out more money later on. Not something I’d advise in these frugal times!
Q3 How much will a land survey cost? This is dependent upon three simple elements:
All we would normally need from you in order to provide a quotation is a house name or number along with the post code and what the end use of the drawings will be… simple as that! It may seem an unnecessary outlay, but consider the hassle, stress and additional cost that you could be faced with later on, and invest in a land survey! I’m happy to answer any further questions regarding land surveys so please comment below, or if you’re feeling shy, send me an email at imortimer@cadesignservices.co.uk. You can also find out more on theTopographic and Land Surveying section of the C A Design Services website: www.cadesignservices.co.uk/surveying/topographic.php Ian Mortimer Last week I started this series with my first 5 tips on choosing your new store location and retail design considerations. If you need a reminder, those first 5 tips were:
You can find more information in my original post This follow-on covers the next 5 important things to consider when setting up your first shop. They sound technical, but are actually quite straight forward so don’t be put off! 6. Measured Survey A measured survey gives you accurate plans of the site and can be tailored to suit your needs. The survey should contain all information about the building which could affect the design proposals. It is not just about measuring all the walls , positioning doors and windows; you also need to be aware of any stairs or ramps, beams, ceiling level changes, mains services positions, heating and ventilation equipment, fire detection systems etc Your chosen design company will usually advise you on what information should be captured and often be able to undertake the survey work for you.
7. Feasibility Plans A feasibility plan will help to test the viability of the proposal before embarking on more detailed design work. At this stage the plan may be in a very simple form, showing the general arrangement of walls doors, windows, fixed and possibly loose equipment. The nature of your business will dictate the level of detail which is necessary to consider at feasibility stage. Agree with your retail design agency what that level of detail should be. This stage of the process will not only confirm ‘does it all fit’ but also whether the correct relationships can be created between different shop zones or operations, whether the layout is safe and free from risk, whether it will have the appropriate impact and whether the required work needed to deliver the retail project at this premises makes is too expensive. 8. Structural work Structural work can be expensive you should therefore avoid it if possible. You will need to involve a Structural Engineer, since you can’t remove a wall without checking to see if it is supporting any structure above it. A structural engineer will produce designs and calculations for your builder to use to ensure the structure is safely supported. 9. Working drawings and scope of works Once you found the perfect premises for your new shop, and checked that it can be adapted to meet the needs of your business, you will need to identify the scope of required works and have detailed working drawings produced. The level of detail in a set of working drawings will depend upon the nature of the business and the amount of work which is necessary to be undertaken. As standard your retail working drawings should provide accurate detail of the works, covering everything from walls, doors, windows, floors ceilings (size, material, type, construction) , to fixtures and fittings, general decorative treatments, lighting, electrics, fire detection and prevention equipment and any heating and ventilation. This part of the process will usually involve a site visit to confirm the required works. The information contained within the working drawings and accompanying scope of works will be to produce accurate pricing and equipment orders, to produce the programme of works, and to produce the health and safety plan for the works to be undertaken. 10. Statutory Applications and Consents As early as possible in your discussions about a site, and depending on the proposed work, there are a number of approvals which you may require before on-site works can commence. It can take between two and three months to receive approvals, so you need to plan in advance for this. As part of the design process, your chosen design company will identify what approvals you may need. In brief, these may include:
These are my tips to ensure your new retail adventure is set on the right track. If I have missed anything, or you have questions about any stage of the process, let me know in the comments section.
Julie Retail design, location and planning – 10 top tips for first time retailers At C A Design Services we often receive enquiries from first time retailers looking for help getting their new shop off the ground. In the first of a two-part series, our Retail Design Manager, Julie Griffiths, outlines the first 5 key considerations for first time retailers in locating, planning and designing the perfect shop. 1. Choosing a shop / company name, and brand image Your business name, branding, and image should be considered as early as possible. There are plenty of websites out there with guidance on brand names and image. The main point to consider is ensuring the name you have selected is available to use. You can check this easily on the Companies House site: http://bit.ly/coshouse Remember, the name of a business can help communicate your proposition, suggest a design theme, colour palette or style which can then be translated into the whole design of the premises from signage to finishes, materials, fixed and loose furniture and equipment. 2. Finding the right site When searching for your store premises it’s a good idea to have some details prepared of what you need from your store and location. In terms of the physical aspects of a prospective retail site, you will need to have an idea of size, and any special requirements your business may have. Engaging a retail design company at this early stage could be really beneficial. Your retail designer can help you to produce a model store layout. Their experience in the area will more than likely mean you consider important aspects that you hadn’t previously thought about. A model layout will also help to confirm the size and style of store premises you require, and can form a large part of the brief to commercial estate agencies. 3. Site Research Having created a model to help your agents identify potential retail sites, you should then ensure that you know as much about any potential retail sites your agent puts forward before making any decisions. There are legal issues to consider as well as physical and operational issues. For example, a lot of commercial property, particularly retail, is owned by property companies or institutional investors, and for this reason it is likely you will lease your site. Once you have signed a lease you may be tied in for a considerable period of time so you need to be sure you have thought of everything. Leasehold transactions can be complex and take a long time as there is often more than one party with a legal interest in the premises. You will need specialist help with the legal process. The lease may have certain restrictions which prevent you from doing certain works or operating certain businesses. The property may require a change of use application to allow you to carry out the trade you wish to undertake from the premises. Physically and operationally some sites may seem ideal for your business, matching your model perfectly, but there may be practical issues that would prevent you from carrying out the necessary work needed to turn your dream into a reality. Involving your retail designer in this process will ensure that you can make a decision armed with a full understanding of the site. Agree in advance with your designer what you want the site research to cover. The retail designer can then meet you on site and give guidance on what is feasible. They will also suggest alterations which may be required to the structure of the building for example, to provide you with the sort of space needed to operate your business. They will also help you investigate any restrictions on the site before embarking on detailed store design work or going too far down the legal route… 4. Building Condition Survey As we have said it’s fairly normal to lease your first premises. Obviously you will ensure you take appropriate legal advice, but it is important to know the condition of the premises you are about to agree to lease. If your lease agreement states you are responsible for all repairs, it is prudent to have a Chartered Surveyor carry out a condition survey on the premises. This provides you with a record of the existing building condition, which can be useful when negotiating with your Landlord 5. Other Specialist Store Surveys As a result of the condition survey, requirements for other surveys may be identified. It is also a good idea to know the condition of the installed services e.g. electrical installation, to ensure they are in good order and comply with current legislation as again, this will impact on your initial store set-up costs. I hope that this goes someway to help you understand the process of setting up your first retail store. Feel free to comment should you have any questions. Or call the retail specialists at C A Design Services to discuss your retail design project in more detail Next week I’ll go through the next 5 stages, covering: 6. Measured Surveys 7. Feasibility Plans 8. Structural work 9. Working drawings and scope of works 10. Statutory applications and consents See you then! Julie |
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