Legal Disputes

Legal disputes involving buildings and land can take many forms. For example; two neighbours may disagree on the precise position of their boundary, a builder and his client may disagree whether building work has been done correctly and should be paid for, or somebody may have been injured in a dangerous building.

The opponents may simply want an independent expert to give advice and guidance, or they may be taking legal action and need expert reports or an Expert Witness.

Insite Surveyors believe that a client's legal rights, remedies and tactics are best dealt with by a solicitor, but the building-related aspects of a case require the specialised knowledge of a chartered building surveyor.

Building Disputes
Acting for builder or customer, we will examine all contract documents, specifications and drawings, and compare them with a detailed survey of the building as actually constructed.

Exploratory opening-up and laboratory testing may be arranged subject to permission of the building owner.

Our report will give a detailed evaluation of the building in relation to contract documents, current legislation and good building practice.

Accident and Liability
We will make a thorough investigation of the accident scene, including opening-up and arranging for laboratory testing if instructed. Our report will give a detailed evaluation of relevant aspects of the building in relation to current legislation and good practice and, as far as possible, the legislation and practice in force at the time the building was constructed.

Boundaries
We will visit the premises, and take photographs and accurate dimensions of existing buildings, fences, hedges and other boundary markers, and prepare a record drawing as existing for comparison with original deeds, Ordnance Survey data and other evidence of the true boundary line.

Often, the historic evidence is incomplete or inconclusive. Small-scale plans, even from the OS, are not as precise as users would like them to be and there may be no written dimensions. If we don't know the precise position, we will give you the likely range and a reasoned assessment of our own opinion.

Advice Note on Boundary Disputes