This modern but dated three storey office block in Ashford had been vacated by a public sector client who had made extensive internal alterations and subjected the property to very considerable wear and tear. A detailed survey resulted in a comprehensive Schedule of Dilapidations running to hundreds of items.

Metcalfe Briggs Surveyors was asked to represent the landlord of a 1970s industrial estate of 16 units in Gillingham, 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.

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.

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.

On the same evening, two church fires were started deliberately in unconnected locations in Kent, one causing localised damage to the interior of the church and extensive smoke blackening and the second causing extensive damage to the stage and ceiling of a church hall and destruction of the oak plank flooring.

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

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.

Our householder client had commissioned a design and awarded a contract for £241,000 for a high specification extension and refurbishment.  The contractor fell into delay and eventually ceased work.  He submitted a final account for £102,000 more than the contract sum. 

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.

A bespoke prestige house was commissioned, based on architects’ plans at a contract value of £476K.

As Building Owner, our District Council client wanted to demolish all buildings on two sites ready for redevelopment. Being surrounded by separate businesses, they were concerned to respect any Party Wall matters.

Metcalfe Briggs Surveyors agreed a Party Wall Award with the Building Owner’s surveyor. Subsequently it was found that the Building Owner’s obligations had been breached. Unauthorised scaffold and building materials had been placed on the Adjoining Owner’s land and an access cut through a boundary wall from our client’s land.

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 is 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.

This High Street Victorian property in Kent had been extended in modern times to provide additional open plan office accommodation and fitted out specifically for the use of the tenant, the DHSS as a Job Centre Plus and associated offices.

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.

Metcalfe Briggs Surveyors, acting for the tenant of an Ashford, Kent warehouse unit, were asked to advise on the contemplated assignment of the lease.

Metcalfe Briggs Surveyors represented the landlord, a small investment fund, with a commercial lease to a major High Street food retailer.  Although a modern brick building it was being vacated in a neglected and unrepaired condition internally and externally.