by admin | Sep 9, 2025 | Blogs
Recent figures released by the Building Safety Regulator (BSR) underscore the considerable challenges currently facing the UK construction industry. Data indicates that as many as 75% of high-rise residential buildings are failing to comply with the latest building safety requirements. This situation raises profound concerns for asset owners, developers, and residents alike.
Safety Case Submissions Under Review
Of the 1,454 high-risk buildings for which owners have submitted mandatory safety case reports, the BSR has thus far reviewed 170. Alarmingly, 125 of these reviews identified shortcomings against the required standards. Consequently, legal enforcement notices have been served on the respective owners, compelling them to take immediate action to address significant safety deficiencies.
These deficiencies range from incomplete safety assessments and absent resident engagement strategies to structural and compartmentation shortcomings necessitating extensive remedial works. The findings serve to emphasise that compliance extends well beyond documentation and requires substantive safety management and robust construction practice.
Delays in Gateway Approvals
The BSR’s first formal performance update also draws attention to a growing backlog in planning approvals. Developers are currently experiencing an average waiting period of 36 weeks for Gateway decisions, a delay three times longer than the stated 12-week target. Between late 2023 and early 2025, 2,108 applications were lodged, yet only 338 received approval.
Although recent improvements are reported, with the volume of approvals beginning to outpace incoming applications, the prolonged delays have created uncertainty across the development sector.
Strengthening the Role of the Regulator
In response, structural reforms are being advanced. The BSR, formerly part of the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), is in the process of being reconstituted as a standalone authority. Furthermore, a dedicated Innovation Unit has been established with the aim of accelerating approvals, particularly for schemes that demonstrate exemplary safety strategies or utilise modern methods of construction.
To strengthen technical scrutiny, the regulator is also undertaking the recruitment of experienced engineers and building safety professionals following concerns regarding the expertise applied in earlier reviews.
The Role of John Burke Associates
At John Burke Associates Ltd, we recognise both the complexity and the urgency of the evolving building safety regime. As a practice of Chartered Surveyors, Chartered Building Consultants, and Clerks of Works, we provide independent, authoritative, and technically rigorous advice to clients across the private, commercial, and public sectors.
Our services are directed towards ensuring that clients are fully prepared to meet the latest requirements:
- Regulatory Navigation – guiding clients through the intricacies of the BSR framework, ensuring that safety case reports, documentation, and resident engagement strategies achieve compliance.
- Technical Oversight and Quality Assurance – delivering Clerk of Works services that provide independent inspections, identify non-conformities, and safeguard construction quality.
- Risk and Compliance Management – advising on remedial solutions for existing buildings while ensuring new developments are designed and executed to the highest safety standards.
- Comprehensive Expertise – drawing upon more than four decades of experience to provide clarity, continuity, and assurance across complex projects nationwide.
By engaging John Burke Associates, clients benefit from a trusted partner committed to ensuring that their projects achieve not only legislative compliance but also long-term safety, resilience, and value.
by admin | Jul 31, 2025 | Blogs
The Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act became law on 24 May 2024. This represents one of the most significant overhauls of property law in a generation. Aimed at improving transparency and fairness for leaseholders in England and Wales, the Act introduces changes that could have wide-reaching implications for property developers and investors alike.
While the Act has now passed, secondary legislation is still required to implement its provisions fully. These details, including critical guidance on valuations and enfranchisement procedures, will depend on the priorities of the post-election government. As such, leaseholders are strongly advised to remain alert to ongoing developments and to seek specialist advice before making any major decisions.
What’s Changing?
The legislation brings forward a series of landmark reforms, including:
• Abolishing the presumption that leaseholders must pay their freeholders’ legal costs during enfranchisement or lease extension claims.
• Standardising lease extension terms to 990 years for houses and flats.
• Simplifying and broadening eligibility for collective enfranchisement and lease extensions.
• Measures to ban the sale of new leasehold houses (except in exceptional cases).
• Improving transparency of service charges and administrative practices.
These changes are designed to empower leaseholders, offering more control over their properties and greater clarity in dealings with freeholders.
The Importance of Professional Advice
Despite the promising nature of these reforms, leasehold valuation remains a highly specialist area. The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) advises all leaseholders to consult with RICS-regulated professionals before proceeding with lease extensions, enfranchisement, or any related decisions. At John Burke Associates, our Chartered Surveying and Chartered Building Consultancy divisions offer the depth of knowledge required to navigate these complexities.
We work across private, public, and commercial sectors, ensuring that each client benefits from tailored, cost-effective strategies. Our team combines innovation, sustainability, and deep market understanding to deliver exceptional outcomes that exceed expectations.
Why Choose John Burke Associates?
As a RICS-approved firm, we pride ourselves on our integrity, independence, and client-first ethos. With extensive experience in leasehold valuation, we are ideally placed to support leaseholders throughout this period of legislative transition. Don’t navigate these changes alone. Contact John Burke Associates today for expert advice that protects your interests and unlocks the full potential of your next project.
by admin | Apr 14, 2025 | Blogs
This Professional Guide details the necessary steps to achieve Chartered Surveyor status.
We recognize the importance of professional accreditation for construction and property services at John Burke Associates. As a leading practice of Chartered Surveyors, Clerks of Works, and Chartered Building Consultants, we are often asked: How to become a Chartered Surveyor?
The article explains the essential steps necessary to achieve Chartered Surveyor status in the UK and describes the educational qualifications and professional standards required for this esteemed career.
What Is a Chartered Surveyor?
A Chartered Surveyor represents a qualified professional who operates under the regulations of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS). The designation indicates excellence in competence and integrity combined with professional practice across multiple surveying disciplines including building and quantity surveying as well as land surveying and project management.
John Burke Associates operates at the national level by providing surveying and consultancy services to clients in the private, commercial and public sectors. Chartered status enables professionals to deliver accredited expertise that builds client trust—a core value for our team at John Burke Associates.
Step 1: Obtain the Right Qualifications
Most individuals start their professional journey through obtaining a RICS-accredited degree from a relevant field.
Building Surveying
Quantity Surveying
Construction Management
Real Estate
Those who graduate without an accredited degree can advance through a different path by obtaining additional academic credentials or through relevant professional experience.
Step 2: Join the RICS As a Candidate
After securing the required academic credentials you should enrol as a candidate member with RICS as the subsequent action. After enrolling as a candidate member of RICS you can begin professional development through the Assessment of Professional Competence (APC) which represents the recognized way to achieve chartership.
Step 3: Complete the Assessment of Professional Competence (APC)
The Assessment of Professional Competence (APC) functions as a structured two-year training program. It requires candidates to:
Candidates must obtain hands-on training in the surveying field they have selected
Candidates must gain practical experience while working alongside a Chartered Surveyor who holds proper credentials.
Demonstrate competence in core and pathway-specific areas
Candidates must prepare and submit both a professional development plan and a written submission as part of their assessment process.
Complete a final interview session with a panel of evaluators
Through this rigorous procedure, candidates with essential expertise and ethical standards become Chartered.
Step 4: Pass the Final Assessment
In the RICS Assessment Interview which concludes the process candidates exhibit their professional background while assessors evaluate their understanding and application of standards together with their professional conduct. Successful candidates achieve the elite MRICS title which stands for Member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors.
Alternative Routes
Individuals who lack a conventional degree can achieve Chartered status using alternative pathways.
Members can initially obtain Associate (AssocRICS) Membership and have the option to upgrade it later.
Extensive professional experience opens the way to Senior Professional Routes leading to Chartered status.
Specialist Assessment in niche surveying areas
These career paths acknowledge diverse abilities and enable individuals to create customized career development plans.
Why Become a Chartered Surveyor?
Chartered status offers numerous benefits:
Enhanced career opportunities
Greater earning potential
Professional recognition
Access to global networks
Commitment to high ethical and technical standards
Our active support for continuous professional development within John Burke Associates stems from our understanding of its benefits to both our clients and the entire industry.
Final Thoughts
The initial step to build a respected career within the surveying and construction industry involves learning how to become a Chartered Surveyor. Chartership serves as an important professional milestone regardless of whether you are a newcomer or a seasoned professional in your field.
John Burke Associates takes pride in our collaboration with top-tier professional experts. We uphold the highest standards of excellence, which align with both RICS and construction industry requirements.
by admin | Apr 14, 2025 | Blogs
What Does a Building Surveyor Do? Understanding professional roles remains essential for construction and property management. One question we often encounter is: Building surveying involves specialised expertise within construction and property management that applies specifically to projects in the UK.
John Burke Associates delivers extensive surveying services tailored to private, public and commercial sectors. Our extensive industry experience positions us perfectly to detail the current role building surveyors play within the built environment.
What Is the Meaning of Building Surveying?
Building surveying represents a specific discipline within property construction that addresses building design and maintenance while managing repair operations. This discipline delivers professional consulting services on new construction projects as well as established buildings while prioritising safety and regulatory compliance alongside efficient practices.
Building surveying encompasses multiple responsibilities which extend from detecting structural problems and overseeing renovation projects to making sure construction work meets regulatory requirements. The profession requires both technical knowledge and practical understanding to maintain building integrity and value over time.
What Does a Building Surveyor Do?
Building surveyors maintain building quality and performance during every stage of its existence. Common responsibilities include:
Conducting condition surveys and structural inspections
Advising on repair and maintenance strategies
Overseeing refurbishment and conservation projects
Evaluating adherence to regulatory building codes and planning statutes.
Preparing reports and documentation for clients
Construction sites gain project management leadership from this role.
John Burke Associates Chartered Surveyors deliver dependable, practical advice throughout every phase of a building’s construction and operation.
Who Needs Building Surveying Services?
Building surveying services are fundamental to various client groups such as:
Property developers
Commercial landlords and tenants
Housing associations
Local authorities
Educational institutions
Homeowners and private investors
Our specialised knowledge enables us to deliver listed building restorations and major commercial developments that prioritise quality, safety and value creation.
Why Is Building Surveying Important?
The meaning of building surveying demonstrates how important surveyors are to the construction industry. They help clients:
Identify potential risks and liabilities
Maximise the value of their investment
Ensure legal compliance and safety standards
Manage costs through informed planning
Maintain the longevity of properties
John Burke Associates operates nationwide and provides expert surveying services that match the unique requirements of each client with over 40 years of industry experience.
Building Surveyors and RICS
The majority of building surveyors in the United Kingdom, including practitioners at John Burke Associates, hold Chartered Surveyor status under the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS). Our work follows stringent professional standards while maintaining strong ethical principles and technical proficiency.
RICS accreditation guarantees that clients always receive expert services regardless of their project size or complexity.
Final Thoughts
The scope of building surveying covers a broad range of expertise, which plays a fundamental role in sustaining, enhancing, and creating the buildings we use. Building surveyors manage every part of a building’s structure and condition through detailed inspections and construction works management.
John Burke Associates specialises in offering complete surveying solutions that reflect our extensive industry experience and numerous industry accolades. We offer professional advice and support whenever you need assistance with your next project.
by admin | Mar 25, 2025 | Blogs
Quantity Surveying vs Building Surveying: Understanding the Differences
What is Quantity Surveying?
Quantity surveying involves the management of costs and budgets throughout the life of a construction project. A quantity surveyor (QS) is responsible for ensuring that a project remains within budget by estimating costs, managing resources, and handling contractual aspects. This role is crucial for both the public and private sectors, as it helps control project costs and provides financial clarity to clients.
Key Responsibilities of a Quantity Surveyor:
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Cost Estimation: Estimating the costs of construction projects, from initial feasibility to completion.
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Contract Administration: Overseeing contracts, managing relationships with contractors and suppliers.
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Budget Control: Tracking expenses and ensuring the project stays within financial limits.
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Risk Management: Identifying financial risks and developing strategies to mitigate them.
What is Building Surveying?
Building surveying, on the other hand, focuses on the physical aspects of a building. Building surveyors assess the condition, structure, and performance of buildings and infrastructure. They are experts in the maintenance, repair, and improvement of both residential and commercial properties.
Key Responsibilities of a Building Surveyor:
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Building Inspections: Conducting surveys to assess the condition of a building, including structural integrity.
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Maintenance Advice: Advising clients on the upkeep and repair of buildings to ensure their longevity.
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Regulatory Compliance: Ensuring that buildings meet legal standards and planning regulations.
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Project Management: Overseeing building projects, ensuring quality standards are met during construction and renovation.
Key Differences Between Quantity Surveying and Building Surveying
1. Focus Areas:
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Quantity Surveying: Primarily focused on the financial and contractual side of construction projects.
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Building Surveying: Focused on the physical and structural aspects of buildings and their ongoing maintenance.
2. Expertise:
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Quantity Surveyor: Expertise in cost management, procurement, and project budgeting.
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Building Surveyor: Expertise in building condition assessments, regulatory compliance, and property management.
3. End Goal:
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Quantity Surveying: Aims to manage costs effectively, ensuring that construction projects are completed within budget.
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Building Surveying: Aims to ensure that buildings are in optimal condition, compliant with regulations, and suitable for their intended use.
How John Burke Associates Can Help
Quantity Surveying vs Building Surveying: At John Burke Associates, we offer both quantity surveying and building surveying services, each with a tailored approach to meet the specific needs of our clients. Our experienced team combines technical expertise with industry knowledge to deliver high-quality outcomes across a wide range of sectors. Whether you’re managing project costs or assessing the condition of a building, we are here to provide expert support and advice.
For more information about our services, visit our Quantity Surveying Services and Building Surveying Services pages.
Learn more about quantity surveying and its role in construction from the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS).
by admin | Mar 25, 2025 | Blogs
Understanding the Role of Project Management
Project management is the backbone of successful project execution. It ensures that every aspect of a project is carefully planned, monitored, and completed efficiently. At John Burke Associates, we understand that effective project management is essential to achieving exceptional outcomes in the private, public, and commercial sectors.
The Key Benefits
1. Enhancing Efficiency and Productivity
A well-structured project management approach streamlines workflows, minimises downtime, and optimises resources. By setting clear objectives and timelines, project managers enhance overall efficiency, ensuring that projects are completed on schedule and within budget.
2. Cost Control and Budget Management
Effective project management helps prevent overspending by carefully tracking costs, identifying potential financial risks, and implementing cost-saving measures. This ensures that clients receive maximum value without compromising quality.
3. Risk Mitigation and Problem-Solving
Every project comes with risks, from unexpected delays to unforeseen technical challenges. Skilled project managers anticipate potential issues and implement proactive strategies to mitigate them, ensuring smooth project progression.
4. Ensuring Quality and Compliance
At John Burke Associates, we prioritise quality and compliance throughout every phase of a project. Our project management approach ensures that industry regulations, health and safety standards, and sustainability practices are consistently upheld.
5. Improving Communication and Collaboration
Effective communication is vital to successful project execution. Project managers facilitate clear and open communication between stakeholders, fostering collaboration and ensuring that everyone remains aligned with project objectives.
6. Achieving Client Satisfaction
A well-managed project leads to better outcomes, fewer disruptions, and a smoother experience for clients. By focusing on delivering tailored solutions, we strive to exceed client expectations and deliver outstanding results.
As industry leaders in Chartered Surveying and Chartered Building Consultancy, we integrate strategic project management into our services. Our forward-thinking approach, combined with our commitment to innovation and sustainability, allows us to deliver bespoke solutions that stand out in every sector we serve.
For more information on industry best practices, visit the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS).
