2026 - Year to Date

2026 has got off to a busy start. Below is a summary of instructions undertaken to the end of April.

January

Ecclesall Road - I hit the ground running with a site meeting on 3rd January to progress a domestic extension and refurbishment project...

Ranmoor - ... followed the next day by a Level 3 survey on a much-altered stone cottage, one of the first buildings in the area known as Rand Moor.

Buxton - I met the client and professional team for this substantial industrial unit complex to discuss the refurbishment of the buildings and wider site.

Nether Edge - from January to April, I have been providing inspection and consultancy services on a domestic refurbishment project on a villa in Nether Edge.

Ashbourne - I have been working on the lower ground floor of this exciting new art gallery in the centre of Ashbourne. I met the M&E consultant to discuss the ventilation mechanics so we could turn this damp, below-ground area into a temperature and humidity-controlled store for the art gallery, all within the constraints of a Grade II listed building.

Goxhill - consultation with client to discuss moisture-stress related issues, efflorescence, drainage and airflow on a client's domestic refurbishment project.

Beauchief - at the end of 2025, I provided consultancy services to get to the bottom of several roofing defects. In January, I met the Client and the contractor at the property so that we could go through the proposed remedial works on-site.

Midlands - I provided moisture-related consultancy to a client struggling to get on top of damp along the gable elevation and dining room.

Ringinglow - inspecting areas of rainwater ingress around a chimney stack and roof covering.

January ended with a lovely week of skiing and après in the Alps.

February

Rochdale - the Client was in the process of a 'back-to-brick' refurbishment and layout change of a semi-detached house and was experiencing problems with moisture ingress and clay plaster failing to cure. We inspected the house and provided advice on getting on top of the issues.

Heckmondwike - I was appointed by the Loss Adjuster to inspect the lower ground floor kitchen of a back-to-back house, which had flooded. I found many defects with the materials and detailing of the lower ground floor and drainage systems of the subject and neighbouring properties. I prepared a report documenting the defects on site so that the loss adjuster had the information they required to rebuff the claim.

Hillsborough - I inspected moisture-related defects in the cellar and ground floor of a terrace house and provided verbal advice and a summary report to the homeowner on the required remedial works.

Nick Parsons - I spent a nice afternoon with several mugs of coffee discussing sustainability and retrofit works with Nick Parsons, a local sustainability and retrofit oracle.

Darley Dale - on 7th February, I set up my stall of natural building materials and lectured at the Darley Dale Big Green Energy Day. I spoke to many local residents about sustainability, retrofit and moisture-related works and held a Q&A session.

Lincolnshire - I provided consultancy services and a schedule to address a defective chimney and roof on a 200+ year old stone cottage.

Ranmoor - with Dec Cahill, we undertook core sampling of a flat roof build-ups on a substantial block of apartments. I then prepared a report detailing our findings.

Bakewell - February into March, we inspected and prepared detailed reports on works undertaken by the client's insurance contractor to a 250+ year old stone cottage.

Totley – I went to inspect render works on a cottage in Totley – the Client was not convinced that the advice provided by the contractor was correct, and they were right. I inspected the works undertaken and prepared a report detailing the issues and recommended remedial works.

Crookes – following some building works in the kitchen and dining room, the client was experiencing moisture-related staining around the area of work. I inspected the areas of moisture staining and provided advice to the client on the elements of work undertaken incorrectly and how best to manage the situation to save removing all of the kitchen units and undertaking major works to the areas which had only just been refurbished.

Epping – I provided advice to the client on moisture mitigation and management on their lower ground floor refurbishment and extension. Following the initial advice and summary report, I have briefed and provided advice to the client's architect on this project.

Manor – I undertook some consultancy on an incorrectly constructed rear extension in 2025. This time, I was back to undertake an inspection of the roof coverings and provide a report and schedule of works required.

Doncaster – I have been working with the architect on plans to repair, extend and refurbish a Grade II listed farmhouse. I inspected the roof, external and internal areas and provided a report and recommendations for repair works so that the repairs could be discussed and justified to the Conservation Officer. Following the issue of the report, I had a meeting with the client to talk through the report and repairs required.

I have also undertaken regular inspections and project consultancy on projects off Ecclesall Road and in Nether Edge.

March

March got off to a slower start, survey-wise, as I spent the first week and a half ripping out and refitting my bathroom.

Meersbrook – with SY Ecofit, I reviewed and commented on retrofit designs and inspected the property where the client was experiencing moisture stress in the living room, kitchen, and dining room. I also inspected works undertaken to convert the cellar, which has been undertaken incorrectly and to a poor standard of workmanship. I prepared a report detailing my findings, so the client was in a well-informed position to discuss with the contractor.

Ecclesall – I was asked to inspect and prepare a report on works undertaken to replace a driveway. I compared the contractor's quotation with the works undertaken on site and relevant standards and prepared a report for the client detailing the discrepancies and examples of poor workmanship so that the client could claim money back from their bank.

Scholls - an existing client was looking to purchase a converted chapel, and in the first instance, we had an online meeting to discuss the pros and cons of this property over another that they were considering.

Hunters Bar – I undertook a drone inspection of chimneys and roof coverings following a leak after the property had recently been re-roofed. Whilst on-site, I was asked to provide advice on mitigating moisture build-up in the cellar. Following review of the photos, I prepared a report for the client so they could discuss with their roofing contractor.

Ranmoor – I undertook another inspection of a chimney and elevation which were experiencing symptoms of penetrating damp. Following the inspection, I prepared a report detailing my findings.

Leeds – another consultation on recurring leaks around a chimney stack/wood burning stove installation. The storms have certainly kept me busy with high-level investigations and report writing!

Burley in Wharfedale – this was another instruction from a loss adjuster who was managing a damp claim on a stone-built terrace house. I inspected the various moisture-related defects around the lower ground floor, which were all a result of building defects and inappropriate work. A report was prepared for the loss adjuster so that the claim could be appropriately managed.

Leeds – a return trip to the Grade II listed barristers' chambers to inspect their lower ground floor, which has been subject to many inappropriate works, undertaken to a poor standard. I prepared a report detailing the inappropriate and incomplete work, poor areas of workmanship and recommendations for getting the project back on track.

Holmfirth – I spent the last week of the month working on a pre-purchase Level 3 building survey of a substantial stone-built detached house. There were many defects of the property, including the stone slate roof, spray foam insulation, an extension that had been cobbled together and below-ground drainage problems.

At the end of March, I attended the SY Ecofit Ecclesall Homeowners retrofit evening, where one of SY Ecofit’s architects presented opportunities and pitfalls of domestic retrofit works.

April

Tickhill – I undertook a building survey within the Hesley Group’s Hesley Hall estate. There were particular problems with moisture stress to the cellar rooms and the knock-on effect of this at the ground floor level, and to the stairs and landing. I prepared a detailed report of my findings and recommendations so that these can be incorporated into their refurbishment project.

Plymouth – I conducted an online consultation to provide advice to a client concerned about moisture-related issues in the living room and front bedroom of their Victorian villa.

Southport – I provided advice to a client working on converting their cellar into habitable accommodation, including structural alterations and moisture reduction.

Bakewell – I undertook a Level 3 pre-purchase building survey on a detached bungalow and prepared a detailed report, so my client had the information they needed to satisfy themselves that the property was right for them.

Rotherham – acting for a specialist accommodation provider, I inspected 8 flats within a converted office building as the client had received reports of various moisture-related issues within the building. I spent the morning on site gathering data and then prepared a detailed report to explain the causes of the problems and advise on undertaking the required remedial works. Following the issue of the report, I had a meeting with the client to summarise my findings and discuss recommendations.

Quarry Bank Mill – on 20^th and 21^st April, with Catherine Bull at the SPAB and Declan Cahill of Patina Building Conservation, I lectured for two days (and held court in the pub in the evening) – An Introduction to Surveying Traditionally Constructed Buildings and An Introduction to Building Pathology. This is the third time we have run this course; it was again a sell-out, and we have another 30 on the waiting list for the next session in October 2026. The course went well, and the positive feedback received following the course has been lovely.

Botanical Gardens – I have been back to Botanical House to investigate further problems with ground floor collapse/a dry rot outbreak in this residential conversion. Following my inspection, a detailed report has been provided to the client, and I hope to work with them through the remediation process.

Ringinglow – The Hidden Gem Café has been offered the redundant pavilion building next to their café operation; however, they were concerned that they did not want to take on a building which may have issues. I inspected the pavilion and provided a report detailing my opinion and recommendations. I hope to be involved in this project later in the year.

Walkley – a return to Hoole Street to inspect various works undertaken by various contractors and provide a report to the client with our opinion on the standard of works undertaken and recommendations.

Stannington – the client had long-standing issues with rainwater ingress through the gable end of their extension. I reviewed the original designs for the work and inspected what had been constructed on site. I have prepared a report detailing my findings and recommendations, and we will hopefully get on-site this year to begin remedial works.

During April, I have been working with Wainwrights, Patina Building Conservation, Cavendish Bloor and SDA to prepare a tender return for Sheffield Museums Trust’s Defining a Decade estate management plan. Fingers crossed.