Property Advisory Services

Property Advisory Services

Washington Brown offers its clients expertise a broad range of professional building advisory services. These include:

• Employers Agent
• Building Pathology and Defect Analysis
• Occupational Health & Safety Reports and Access Audits

Employers Agent

An Employers Agent is a specialised consultant who acts on behalf of a Client usually in respect of administration of a 'design and construct' contract. The role of the Employers Agent is to guide clients, particularly those with little or no building experience, through the obstacles and technical details within building contracts and the procurement of those contracts. The success of this depends on accurate preparation of the Employer's Requirements documents and initial design concepts.

Washington Brown's Employers Agent services include:

• Preparation of the employer's requirement documents in association with Clients and other consultants for use with a 'Design & Construct" type project.
• Tender process and selection of contractor and consultants.
• Instructing the contractor in respect of expenditure of provisional sums.
• Authorising and issuing Interim payment Certificates for valuations and materials.
• Authorising and issuing instructions in respect of variations, consents, design issues and the like.
• Advising on conflicts within the contract documentation.
• Management advice including the effects of postponement of design and/or construction works, including any loss and/or expense and the like.
• Issuing of Practical Completion, Non-completion and Final certificates including producing outstanding defect schedules and final release of retentions following rectification periods.

Building Pathology and Defects Analysis

Many buildings suffer from defects. Left and untreated these defects can have a serious adverse affect on the functioning use of the building and also on the value of the property. A Building Pathology/ Defects Report is an analysis of a building with regard to specific elemental defects and advice on remedial measures. These reports are used both on modern and historic buildings to assess their condition and determine the best way to resolve the defects.

A Building Pathology and Defects Report covers:

• Roof durability assessments and leak detection
• All types of stone, masonry and curtain walling facades
• Water penetration and condensation
• Defective finishes, including coatings and sealants
• Cracking in buildings
• Fire or blast damage
• Remedial advice and recommendations

Washington Brown can arrange for the following to be included:

• Concrete and deleterious material
• Sustainability
• High rise curtain walling, cladding and glazing
• Structural design and appraisals
• Conservation of the built environment
• Contamination

Occupational Health & Safety Reports and Access audits

OH&S Report Services include:

• Appraisal of an existing asset and service provider(s).
• An on-site assessment of existing buildings identifying the following:
  • Identification of all hazards
  • Recommendations on how to manage or remove the hazard
  • Risk control measure
  • Risk rating
  • Repair Priority
• A professional, easy to read concise report.
• Post report advice.
• Contract Administration services to manege any refurbishment works.

With increased legislation and litigation it is important that property owners and strata managers have up to date Safety Reports of their properties to identify any potential safety issues and compliance against relevant Acts, Regulations and Codes of Practice, to minimise their risk and avoid damages and claims.

The Federal Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (DDA) provides protection for everyone in Australia against discrimination based on disability. An access audit is an assessment on an existing property or assistance with the design of a new property to identify potential hazards and create improved accessibility.

Access Audit services include:

• Appraisal of an existing asset and service provider(s)
• An on-site assessment of existing buildings to identify potential problems and suggest solutions to improve access.
• Appraisal and advice in the life of a new building and the design proposals for compliance.
• Contract Administrator of the refurbishment works.