PRIVATE RESIDENCE, CHELMSFORD, ESSEX

Project: Expert Witness Report on refurbishment & extension to existing building
Client: Birkett Long
Services provided: Expert Witness Report, Thermography Survey
Contract value: Undisclosed

We were appointed to produce an expert witness report on the refurbishment and extension of an existing property.

In this dispute between the homeowner and building contractor we provided formal comment on workmanship and defects found in the building.

As part of the overall inspection we undertook a thermographic survey.

Suitable environmental conditions are required to use a thermal camera, which creates images by capturing heat transfer.  To ensure optimum results from the thermal imagery, we pre-heated the building to a constant 22° for 48 hours prior to the inspection.

The thermographic survey revealed many areas of missing insulation within the property which, although not obvious, would have had a negative impact on the energy efficiency of the home.  It also raised queries about the capacity and correct working order of the underfloor and radiator central heating systems.

In addition to ensuring that these hidden defects were identified,  the thermographic survey assisted in proving that, as the project had not complied with statutory requirements (Building Regulations), a completion certificate should not have been issued.