Latent Defect Surveys

When buildings are constructed, they usually come with a defects liability period whereby the constructor is liable to correct any construction-based defects within this time period at their own cost. This is only where it can be proven that the defects are the result of a failure against building legislation and/or best practice at the time of design and construction. Defects may not be immediately apparent or readily detectable until some considerable time after the building is commissioned and are therefore classified as latent defects.

A Latent Defect Survey therefore collects the defects within, and around, a building and, through careful analysis, separates these out between those caused by an insufficient maintenance regime and those caused by a construction defect. These two lists are then used to inform and improve Planned Preventative Maintenance (PPM) and Response Maintenance (RM) and, more importantly, to create an evidenced list of defects that require rectification by the constructor respectively. Latent Defect Surveys are a key business tool for building owners as the costs of rectifying defects can be quite significant and therefore an unnecessary financial burden should the liability period be overlooked.

RBA are experienced in this field and have undertaken projects of this nature on large and complex sites requiring complicated logistical considerations to mitigate risks such as interruptions to building use and operation. Through our analysis, we provide detailed explanations of the discovered defects along with additional consequential damage that may occur (to other building components), recommended remedial measures, indicative costs, photographic evidence and defect categorisation for clarification. Defect categorisation is usually grouped under the headings of a failure in design, installation, workmanship or components/materials.

RBA have also coordinated client specific requests by including and managing additional specialists within our overall survey methodology. This includes Fire Safety and Risk Assessors, Medical and Industrial Gas Engineers, Structural Engineers and Fire Door and Compartmentation Evaluators etc. We are also experienced in undertaking post survey, defect verifications whereby visual proof and/or evidentiary paperwork of the rectification works are monitored, assessed and once satisfactorily completed, recorded as such in ongoing reports until all the works are achieved.