The property market is always changing and evolving, with greater scrutiny than ever before being placed on building construction, performance, and compliance. Clients want buildings that operate and perform well to reduce the burden on their property managers, improve marketability, and ensure service charge recoverability. Clients want deals to happen quickly and without hold-ups, requiring buildings that are free from significant issues. Building Forensics has therefore shifted from being a specialist technical service to being a strategic necessity. The name of the game is removing obstacles, reducing risk, protecting value, and providing clients with the confidence to move decisively.

What is it?

Building Forensics is the detailed, evidence-led investigation of a buildings physical and regulatory condition. We look beyond superficial surveys to understand how an asset was designed and constructed, and how it has been used and maintained. Using structured diagnostic methods, we uncover root causes and translate technical findings into clear, commercially focused recommendations.

There are several specific areas where we have identified a need for specialist client advice. These include:

• Design and Construction – Assistance with latent defects, specifically getting ahead of such issues by providing key advice to our clients shortly after completion of a project.
• Readiness for Sale – Assistance with the identification and resolution of significant building issues that might prevent, cause delay to, or lead to a substantial price chip as part of a property transaction.
• Technical Projects – Assistance with more complicated projects that might need enhanced technical leadership and coordination.

Façades, MEP services, and fire safety, are common to each of the above areas, and combining our skills in these areas allows us to deliver bespoke integrated advice that is both technically robust and commercially pragmatic.

Our Building Forensics service helps clients manage risk, maintain compliance and protect their reputation, while unlocking problem buildings and securing future performance and value.

What is our approach?

Whatever the context, our bespoke service starts with a comprehensive appraisal of the issues and their history, supported by targeted inspections and intrusive investigations to establish a robust factual baseline. We contextualise this by reviewing pre/post contract paperwork, design information, building history, and lease documentation (where relevant) to build a complete picture of what and why.

Then we provide clear recommendations setting out remedial options, cost/programme implications, and strategic advice on approach, liability, and cost recovery, before working with our clients and key stakeholders to procure remedial solutions directly or indirectly.

Technology strengthens our offer. With 3D laser scanning, drones, BIM modelling, and non-destructive testing we can capture precise data with minimal disruption, reducing cost and improving reliability.

Why now?

This approach is timely, responding to regulatory changes such as the Building Safety Act (BSA), that impose tougher standards on building structures, facades, and passive fire protection, all demanding extra rigour. It is also a response to frustrations we are seeing ourselves through our clients, who are fed up with having to invest often huge amounts of time, money, and effort into addressing building issues that should not exist.

Occupiers want trouble free buildings. Landlords want to avoid disgruntled tenants and disputes over liability or service charge recoverability.  Investors want certainty and reassurance without sacrificing precious time. Forensic insight and proactive resolution of issues reduce the impact and complexity of disputes and gives decision makers confidence to proceed. This in turn protects relationships and reputation.

Summary and key contacts

We already had a successful Building Defects service led by Richard Hunt, but conversations with clients and colleagues pointed to a broader opportunity. Building Forensics is our response to that, and we have built a specialist team to ensure quality and consistency across the board.

Richard Hunt continues to head things up, with Nick Gibbons leading the London and SE surveying team; Sandra Sint leading on facades; Jon Carruthers leading on MEP; and Dr Benjamin Ralph leading on Building and Fire Safety. In conjunction with our wider teams, we aim to provide our clients with integrated and proactive advice and solutions to their complex building problems. Whatever the situation, we aim to take the burden off our clients and their teams.