BUILDING SURVEYING AND MAINTENANCE

Defined by RICS (Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors)


— ‘The person who making an inspection of building all types, so far as the nature, designed and structure of the building and condition of occupancy and furnishing allow, and preparing a report expressing an opinion on the condition and standards of construction and recommending the extends of any necessary repairs and future maintenance requirements’.


— A person professionally engaged as to survey as let the eye pas over, make scanned view, give an idea, chief feature and make examination upon the building, land cost and estate. The scope should be a comprehensive, critical, detailed and formal inspection of building to determine its condition and value, often resulting in the production of a report incorporating the results such as inspection.


The Area of Knowledge of Building Surveyor


— Building Surveying is the study of design, technology, and maintenance, conservation of buildings and of the materials construction forms used. It is primarily concerned with the maintenance of existing buildings, of property management, planning, design, construction, preparation of costs , building control and management of building contracts for alteration, renovation, conservation and refurbishment works.


— Building surveying is a knowledge of building includes and the maintenance technology, architecture value, building design, building and maintenance technology. It is include a scope of building control, building construction maintenance.


Explanation:


— From the definition, it the Building Surveyor is the person who make an inspection and investigation of the construction in the services of the property which enable the surveyor to advice his client upon the condition of the property.


— Building surveying is a kind of professional job and scope of work required by making a general or overview, collect and analysis the data provided from this inspection. All this data will later form to be information to carry out further additional work for instance maintenance work, preservation and conservation of building and others that related.


The core knowledge and skills of building surveyor can be defines as having knowledge in:


— Building contracts and procurement


— Building pathology


— Building services


— Building survey analysis


— Building technology


— Project management


— Building construction


— Building control


— Building in use


— Building management


— Design needs


— Related legislation and statutory


— The fact that we have to understand:


“Building Surveying is not truly a building maintenance but building maintenance is a part of building surveying”


— Building Survey


-making an inspection


-Prepare a report


-Recommended necessary work


-Maintenance work in building, building maintenance




— Building Surveyor can involve in many stages: either during on preliminary construction works or when it already completed


— Building Surveying is much more than just building sites and measurement. Building surveyors are trained and qualified to advise on every aspect of built environment and on the use of land. Behind most efficient building project, there should be at least one building surveyor. Their task is to make sure that building works as they intended to, for the occupier, the landlord, the developer and the investors.


Qualification of Building Surveyor


— There is no examination that certifies that a person has reach an acceptable standard in the inspection, location or reporting of defects in building. Most surveyors have develop their awareness of alias by continuous practice, starting as assistance to arise an experienced surveyor and develop on their own account later with continuous practice.


— A building surveyor should give an independent and professional opinion during work undertaken


— Independent- someone do not have any connections with the vendor or his agent.


— Professional- Who are best qualified to carry out such a survey must have considerable experience in the performance of building and their components as well as their design and construction.


Quality of A Surveyor’s skills


— The skills of building Surveyor are acquired through a combination of academic study and practical experience. It can be obtained in two ways:


1) By profession:


Through professional examination with minimum qualification such as technician/diploma


2) Academic(higher learning)


Before becoming as registered Building Surveyor he/she must have higher education and to become, as professional must prepare log book and must attend an interview.


Building Surveyor has an in-depth knowledge of construction together with an appreciation of the value and understanding of relevant building by law.


— Others relevant skills


— Good command of the English language, the ability to express himself or herself in report with clarity and the ability to express himself to his client with verbal conviction.


— Have an understanding of the processes of building construction and the working of services such as heating system and should be able to assimilate new ideas and building process (how to construct building and stages in site work).


— The surveyor should acquire a tactful and pleasant personality. The surveyor should explain what he is going to do and should first ask for permission to proceed (nice, polite and know how to entertain the client) all of this can be obtain through the experience.


— Legal aspect of Building Surveying


— A building Surveyor so called professional responsible on the mission (professional responsibility). This responsibility is mentioned in the law of contract.


— Any failure, the surveyors are liable to be held in court under Arbitration. (judge: called arbitrator who has good knowledge in construction field and does no connected to other relevant parties). This will be done in close court and not open to public. The lawyer must know the technical aspect (by experience) but it very rare in Malaysia.


— As a professional, the surveyor must give a maximum whatever investigation is assigned( a detailed report). Otherwise the client will misinterpret e.g: checking on dampness need to do on the rainy day.


— A contract between professional and client usually in common law:


The work should be carried out with a skill and caresses reasonably to be expected of a competence man exercising the particular skill in future. Anything in report must be based on worked done (cannot create irrelevant things).


Building Surveyor’s Responsibility


— The preparation of building surveys, that is, the investigation and assessment of the construction and condition of buildings, including costs and repair and guidance on remedial and maintenance measure


— Inspections, advice and recommendation for approval of building plans and ancillary works in accordance with building control legislation currently being enforced in Malaysia


— Preparation of reports on condition and dilapidation property


— Inspections and reports on projects under construction (to he within statutory requirements)


— Preparations of maintenance programs of building stocks


— Preparation and submission of plans for alteration and refurbishment of existing buildings


— Preparation of measured drawings of buildings and its site.


— Preparation of reinstatement cost assessment for insurance purpose


— Condition surveys, preparations of maintenance programs and submission of plans for alteration and refurbishment for conservation of historical buildings and monuments.