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News & Articles.

Curious about the effects the BSR will have on your project?

Curious about the effects the BSR will have on your project? by Will Varnals & Ed Resek The Building Safety Act has been described by government as the ‘Biggest Changes to Building Safety for a Generation’. Arguably, the most impactful change at project level is the implementation of the Building Safety Regulator (BSR) as the […]


The Way Forward for PFI Schemes

Building on Success – The Way Forward for PFI Schemes by David Hooson-Jones, Lead Director Private Finance Initiatives (PFI) to many have had a troubled past. However, the facts are clear in that a vast amount of PFI contracts will reach expiration within the next 10 years. Plenty of time to sort out, you would […]


From PA to Chartered Building Surveyor

From PA to Chartered Building Surveyor by Heather Gristey, Senior Building Surveyor My journey to becoming a Chartered Building Surveyor has not been a linear one. After completing my BSc (Hons) in Forensic Science, I found it hard to break into that industry. Therefore, I started my working life undertaking various roles within a construction […]


Young Ambition & Career Choices

Young Ambition & Career Choices – The road to becoming a Building Surveyor by Jessica Walker,  Trainee Building Surveyor The world-renowned architect Julia Morgan said, “my building will be my legacy, they will speak for me long after I am gone”. I love buildings. It sounds a bit odd, perhaps especially so for a young […]


Scotland proves MEES isn’t the only way to efficiency

Scotland proves MEES isn’t the only way to efficiency by Ian Laurie, Technical Director Originally published by RICS journal Though it lacks the standards set in England and Wales, Scotland has still managed to lead the way in the energy efficiency of commercial buildings – unlike the Northern Irish regime. In simple terms, the Minimum Energy […]


RAAC and Ruin – The Sequel

RAAC and Ruin – The Sequel by Trevor Rushton, Group Chairman The disclosure on the 31st of August that circa 105 schools have had to be closed or had classrooms taken out of use due to RAAC ignited a media storm; inevitable questions over Government Policy and concern over the implications for the safety and […]


Quantity Surveying and the Circular Built Environment

Quantity Surveying and the Circular Built Environment by Vince Foker, Quantity Surveyor The circular economy is a model that aims to alter the established trend of “purchase, consumption and dispose”, which is placing a tremendous strain on the Earth and its environmental capability. This philosophy involves the sharing, leasing, reusing, repairing, refurbishing, and recycling of […]


Banks Paving the Way for Progress: Supporting UK Construction Developments

Banks Paving the Way for Progress: Supporting UK Construction Developments by Jamie Dutton, Director Construction developments play a vital role in shaping the infrastructure and economic growth of a country. In the United Kingdom, these projects range from commercial buildings and residential complexes to transportation networks and energy facilities. While such developments require substantial investments, […]


The Building Safety Act 2022

The Building Safety Act 2022: Enhancing Construction Standards by Colin McEvoy, National Director PM The Building Safety Act 2022 (England & Wales) marks a significant milestone in the design, construction and management of buildings through the introduction of vital measures to enhance building safety regulations. This legislation, which the Government describes as the most significant […]


RAAC and the property manager’s nightmare

RAAC and the property manager’s nightmare by Hayley Coles, Associate Originally published by Property Week Reinforced aerated autoclaved concrete (RAAC) planks are now considered to be short-life materials where failure, while rare, could have disastrous consequences. RAAC planks were first introduced into the UK in the mid-to-late 1950s and production stopped in 1982. By the […]


Getting the most from your 2nd Biggest Asset

Getting the most from your second biggest asset by Simon Walker, National Director – Public Sector For most organisations, particularly the public sector where many have large estates to support their operations, their second largest investment after their people is their property assets. As long-term occupiers the public sector has the opportunity to be model […]


Why new MEES could complicate commercial lets

Why new MEES could complicate commercial lets by Ian Laurie, Director Originally published by RICS Journal Despite the fact that an energy performance certificate (EPC) has until recently typically cost a few hundred pounds, commercial property transactions can run into millions of pounds – so there has been little incentive for owners, or indeed investors, […]


Changes in Urban Landscape

Changes in Urban Landscape over the last 4 Decades by Trevor Rushton, Group Chairman The last 40 years have seen notable changes in both the surveying profession and the property industry. I have spent my entire working life in London and so it’s not surprising that my experience is influenced by the massive changes that […]


Watts Group Limited commits to Net Zero

Watts Group Limited commits to Net Zero Watts Group Limited is pleased to announce that it has signed the Net Zero climate pledge with the SME Climate Hub and now joins an international community of businesses across the globe in making this SME Climate Commitment. Watts is proud to be counted in the United Nations […]


Impact of Inflation within the UK Construction Industry

Inflation within the UK Construction Industry and Fluctuation Provisions in Building Contracts  by Sam Ansell, Quantity Surveyor The UK construction industry is currently enduring generational levels of inflation that most industry professionals will likely not have faced in their working life. With the cost of materials and labour continuing to escalate reaching a 40 year […]


Managers on the RAAC

Managers on the RAAC – the call for action by Trevor Rushton, Chairman Originally published by Public Sector Focus Fortunately, collapses in buildings are rare, but when they do happen, the effects on life and the consequential events can be catastrophic. Failures associated with RAAC (Reinforced Aerated Autoclaved Concrete) planks are now becoming well known; […]


Achieving net zero – taking the next step

Achieving net zero – Taking the next step by Simon Walker, National Director – Public Sector So many organisations have set net zero carbon objectives but knowing where to start the journey can be a daunting task. At the same time an increase in the pace and scale of decarbonisation across the public sector estate […]


Lessons Learned as a Building Surveyor

Lessons learned, mistakes made, advice givenand suggested future improvements after more than 50 years as a building surveyor by Paul Winstone, Consultant Originally published by Henry Stewart Publications The opinions expressed in this paper may be familiar or controversial to some. They reflect my own personal viewpoint. I have recently retired after over 50 years […]


Modern Methods of Construction

Modern Methods of Construction by Trevor Rushton, Group Chairman Originally published by Henry Stewart Publications Modern methods of construction (MMC) is an umbrella term describing non-traditional building methods and materials. Innovations are often born of political necessity; a profound housing shortage, labour shortages, climate change all combine to create a high demand for construction methods […]


Watts Group Limited announces place on Rise Construction Framework

Watts Group Limited announces place on Rise Construction Framework for Contract Administrator, Bands 1&2 /Employers Agent, Bands 1&2 Watts Group Limited is proud to announce that it has been successfully awarded a place on the Rise Construction Framework within the Contract Administrator and Employers Agent bands. Rise Construction Framework is a one stop shop for […]


Watts Group Ltd introduces fresh branding and new logo to reflect collaborative work ethos

Watts Group Ltd introduces fresh branding and new logo to reflect collaborative work ethos by Emma Cox, Head of Marketing and Business Development Unveiled this week is the new branding and logo from Watts Group Ltd, which cleverly represents the business in a more visually connected way. Affectionately named ‘the bagel’ the new logo brings […]


Watts Group Ltd announces charity partnership with The Sick Children’s Trust for 2022/2023

Watts Group Ltd announces charity partnership with The Sick Children’s Trust for 2022/2023 by Corrina Ralph,  Managing Director  Following an internal voting process, The Sick Children’s Trust have been named the Watts Group Ltd charity partner during April 2022 through to April 2023. The seven regional offices across Watts are getting ready to support The […]


Watts Group Limited to support The Monument Mile Classic in 2022.

Watts Group Limited to support The Monument Mile Classic in 2022. by Michael Wright, Associate Back for a fifth year, The Monument Mile Classic will again host an electric evening of track mile racing by athletes of all ages. On the evening of Friday 20th May 2022, and on the athletics track on the stunning […]


Watts Group Limited secure new combined ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 certification for a 3-year term

Watts Group Limited secure new combined ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 certification for a 3-year term by Dave Dorrington, Director Process and Quality Watts Group Limited is proud to announce that its ISO certificate renewal is now complete and it has been awarded a new combined certificate by LRQA ; this marks Watts’ impressive 15th […]


Watts Group Limited announces successful tender award of Lots BS, EA and PD in LHC Framework

Watts Group Limited Announces Successful Tender Award of Lots BS, EA and PD in LHC Framework by Simon Walker, National Director Public Sector Watts Group Limited is proud to announce that they have been successful in the tender process to supply LHC with building surveying, employer’s agent, and principal designer services for their Multi-Disciplinary Consultancy Services […]


Watts has been named as a supplier on Crown Commercial Service’s Estate Management Services (EMS) framework.

Watts Secure Top Place on the Crown Commercial Services Framework by Simon Walker, National Director Public Sector August saw Watts National Public Sector named as a supplier on Crown Commercial Services (CCS) Estate Management Services (EMS) Framework. Estate Management Service (EMS) is a multi-Lot Framework Agreement available for use by UK public sector bodies and future […]


COP 26 – This Dear Green Place

COP26  – This Dear Green Place by Michael Wright, Associate   Appropriately, this ‘Dear Green Place’ is the literal translation of Glasgow from the original Gaelic, and this November, all eyes will be on the city as major decisions are made to affect a sustainable and green outcome for our future. The ‘Conference of the […]


Watts Group Limited appointed to £120 Million Consultants Framework

Watts Group Limited announced as one of the Lot suppliers appointed to £120 Million Consultants Framework   Watts Group Limited is proud to announce that they have been appointed as one of the suppliers for Fusion21, a social enterprise which promotes public procurement to achieve value for money and financial security as well as creating […]


Lessons not learned: How did we arrive at the need for the Hackitt Review?

Lessons not learned: How did we arrive at the need for the Hackitt Review? by Ian Laurie, Director Originally published by Henry Stewart Publications The term ‘unprecedented’ is often wrongly used in respect of catastrophic events, and while the Grenfell disaster has highlighted significant shortcomings in both our regulation and construction regimes, sadly history tells […]


‘Vorsprung durch Retrofit’ Retrofitting Traditional Buildings

‘Vorsprung durch Retrofit’ Retrofitting Traditional Buildings by Michael Wright, Associate The property industry, like all other investment markets, is expected to achieve ‘Vorsprung durch Technik’ or‘progress through technology’, to quote a well-known German car manufacturer. There is the weight of private sector expectations through investors seeking greater rental values, more efficient and adaptable floor plates, […]


Watts Appointed for HS2 Condition Surveys

Watts Appointed for HS2 Condition Surveys We are delighted to confirm that our public sector business group has recently secured a large commission with the JV consortium that is SCS Railways (SKANSKA COSTAIN STRABAG) to undertake large scale condition surveys for the new HS2 Railway line.  This is for the first phase of work coming […]


Solar panels and capital allowances

Solar panels and capital allowances by Trevor Rushton, Director The capital allowance treatment of assets that facilitate the Feed-in Tariff (FIT) will change on 5 April 2012. This will impact on property owners considering solar power. A business may claim capital allowances if it carries on a qualifying business activity. Where solar panels are concerned, […]


Your dilapidations liability and FRS102

Your dilapidations liability and FRS102 by Ian Laurie, Director Corporation tax incurred by private companies, specifically tenant occupiers, can be an area of missed opportunity without the correct advice on any future dilapidations liability. In respect of commercial operating leases, the Financial Reporting Standard 102 (FRS102), which replaced FRS12, allows for a future dilapidations liability […]


BIM is key to future of QS profession says RICS

BIM is key to future of QS profession says RICS by Trevor Rushton, Director Building Information Modelling (BIM) can help quantity surveyors to speed up the estimating process by supporting the use of the New Rules of Measurement, says new RICS research published in January. BIM’s ability to automate measurement and speed up the traditional […]


Accounting for Dilapidations: FRS102

Accounting for Dilapidations: FRS102 by Trevor Rushton, Director When companies are looking at taking new accommodation, the end of the lease is often furthest from their mind. Most commercial leases however contain onerous provisions in respect of the Tenant being liable for items such as repairs and alterations. As a result, the costs of terminating […]


Planned amendments to the Permitted Development Rights (England) Order 2015.

Planned amendments to the Permitted Development Rights (England) Order 2015. by Trevor Rushton, Director “Whilst a developer may have permission to build an additional two storeys under the new planning legislation, this does not mean that there are not private rights belonging to the surrounding properties that need to be dealt with; rights of light […]


Cold Comfort

Cold Comfort by Trevor Rushton, Director An unventilated cold roof is asking for trouble – so what should you do if you come across one? The risk of condensation occurring in flat, unventilated roof constructions is nothing new. Early attempts at insulating flat roofs brought about significant problems in terms of decay and failure, particularly […]


Bending the Rules

Seemingly bona fide companies can have a dark side–would you be content to recommend a company that consistently failed to take adequate care of its workers and exposed them (and presumably their customers) to risks that could have life changing consequences? As a professional the answer is of course no; but its not always that simple; uncovering the truth can be difficult and its not always particularly easy to locate HSE prosecution records.


RAAC and Ruin

Excessive deflections and transverse cracking were thought to be a key warning sign of failure in reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC), but recent investigation has shown a much more serious risk of sudden failure. In May, the Standing Committee on Structural Safety (SCOSS) issued an alert about the collapse of a school roof last year (bit.ly/SCOSSraacfail), an alert taken up in advice from the Local Government Association.


Are RAAC planks a problematic material that is being overlooked ?

Since late 2018 the long-term problems associated with RAAC planks, often called “rack planks” in conversation, have been better reported on. However, only recently is the wider property market becoming more knowledgeable about this now recognised problematic material. Do you know if you have this material in your portfolio?


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© 2000 - 2020 Watts Group Limited. All rights reserved. Registered Office:
Privacy policy | Terms of use

Telephone +44(0)20 7280 8000

Website by Amanda Design