Help - Historical Surveyor & Roofer recommendation ?

[jkirby]

Hi – I am looking at a Grade II listed building dated back to 1565 in Middlesex to convert in to a Children’s Day Nursery. I have been advised by my Structural Surveyor that we been to get the advice of a Specialist in historical buildings as there are many supporting beams built in to the existing walls. Additionally the buildings all wood supported roof was last repaired in 1979 and is in desperate need of attention as it dips in the middle and from the outside looks like it will cave in as there is not enough timber support on the loft area.

Can anyone recommend a Historical Structural Surveyor in the South East area (Middlesex/Hertfordshire) ?

Can anyone recommend a company that specialises in timber roofing ?

Thank you very much for your help in advance !

 

[skier-hughes]

I'd recommend joining SPAB, http://www.spab.org.uk who'll be able to give you several names for any tradesman you need in dealing with such a building.

 

[Nemesis]

Before you do anything, I'd talk to the local authority conservation officer.

He or she should be able to help with names, but more importantly, discuss whether or not this conversion may or may not get Listed Building Consent (and indeed, change of use).

I'm a little concerned about talk of supporting beams etc - hopefully the plans aren't to remove these? Also, simply because the roof dips doesn't necessarily mean it's in danger of collapse, or that a great deal of alteration to the supporting structure will be allowed.

 

[jkirby]

skier-hughes - thank you very much for the link, I will certainly look in to this.

Nemesis - thank you very much for the response. I have made contact with the conservation officer and they did not have any major objections to transform the building in to a children's day nursery but I will go back to them for recommended surveyors and roof specialists.

We have no plans to remove any supporting beams and are hoping to restore all the original features of the building. Thank you for the advice on the roof and I hope you are right with regards to the building not needing a alterations to the roof !

 

[Nemesis]

While I heartily recommend joining the SPAB, you can call for advice and suggestions of people competent to work with period buildings via the free helpline without being a member.

As far as surveyors go though - try Stephen Boniface, not far from you and they don't come a great deal better...

Details via PPUK Agony Uncle page.

Or here:

http://www.wcp-architects.com/contact.asp

 

[Flyfisher]

I have made contact with the conservation officer and they did not have any major objections to transform the building in to a children's day nursery but I will go back to them for recommended surveyors and roof specialists.

I would be wary about assuming that 'no objections' from the CO means overall approval. I could easily be wrong but I doubt that the CO has the authority, alone, to approve a change of use to a children's day nursery. I would also expect that a day nursery would need a licence and such a licence would require certain conditions - things like shielded radiators, fire escapes, fire doors etc etc, although perhaps it depends on the number of children envisaged.

We've recently had a long thread where misunderstandings over windows caused a lot of grief and this situation sounds like it could be similar if full care is not taken as it may involve LBC, building regs, change of use and nursery licencing - all likely to be different departments with different people having different areas of concern.

I'm in no way suggesting your project is not feasible, just that clear communication is probably going to be even more important than 'normal'.

 

[Penners]

I reckon that's good advice.

As is that from Nemesis and skier-hughes.