DEMAND FOR SURVEYING SKILLS ON THE RISE
ISSUES such as climate change and new legislation have led to a growing demand for the services of environmental surveyors. The prospect of their role expanding yet further seems inevitable as they face up to the many challenges and practical implications of sustainability.
In essence, their job focuses on understanding the effects of the environment on land and property values and advising clients how to protect and maximise their assets and, just as importantly, how to avoid pitfalls and costly mistakes. But that remit is becoming ever broader as the relationship between environmental considerations and property transactions becomes more firmly entrenched.
Whether people are simply buying a home or investing in a major commercial development, environmental considerations are becoming increasingly important.
Although traditionally involved at every stage of a property’s lifecycle from greenfield and estate management to demolition and remediation work, the expertise of environmental surveyors is needed now more than ever. They are regularly consulted on matters ranging from land contamination and risk assessment to energy efficiency and sustainable development generally.
Philip Wilbourn, CEO of Wilbourn Associates in Sheffield, believes the industry has much work to do in the years ahead and that real estate appraisal methods require a more holistic approach.
“When being consulted at any stage of the process, there are numerous issues to take into account. We look at environmental impacts on natural habitats, carry out contaminated land and asbestos surveys and assess recycling capabilities and energy performance among a host of other things,” he commented.
“Sustainability is about making sure all of our businesses, public services, national resources, economy and commuters have the capacity to continue in the future. While we are adept at thinking about their financial sustainability and investing in economic resources, our society has been less successful in looking after the human, social and environmental resources that we rely on.”
According to Philip, the devastation caused by the floods in June 2007, which badly damaged his own practice on Brightside Lane, has sharpened the focus on how such incidents are affecting the appraisal of property from all perspectives at a local, regional and national level.
“Clients expect the profession to provide them with the most relevant, appropriate and up to date advice which in the current market includes all aspects of sustainable developments,” he said.
And Wilbourn Associates is responding to these new demands with continued and significant investment in its workforce. Several employees have recently completed training to conduct energy performance certificate assessments at a cost to the company of more than £100,000. The decision was in response to government legislation to improve the energy efficiency of commercial buildings and Wilbourn’s staff will be among fewer than 100 accredited assessors nationwide when the law comes into force later this year.
“All aspects of the business are strong but we are getting large numbers of enquiries about EPCs and have just secured a major council contract for the provision of display energy certificates which, from October, will be required for all public authority buildings with a floor area over 1,000 sqm,” said Philip. “There are many developments currently affecting the profession and we take a long-term approach to addressing them,” he added.
For further information about this press release please contact Philip Wilbourn at Wilbourn Associates on 0114 243 5500 / 07973 797011.
In essence, their job focuses on understanding the effects of the environment on land and property values and advising clients how to protect and maximise their assets and, just as importantly, how to avoid pitfalls and costly mistakes. But that remit is becoming ever broader as the relationship between environmental considerations and property transactions becomes more firmly entrenched.
Whether people are simply buying a home or investing in a major commercial development, environmental considerations are becoming increasingly important.
Although traditionally involved at every stage of a property’s lifecycle from greenfield and estate management to demolition and remediation work, the expertise of environmental surveyors is needed now more than ever. They are regularly consulted on matters ranging from land contamination and risk assessment to energy efficiency and sustainable development generally.
Philip Wilbourn, CEO of Wilbourn Associates in Sheffield, believes the industry has much work to do in the years ahead and that real estate appraisal methods require a more holistic approach.
“When being consulted at any stage of the process, there are numerous issues to take into account. We look at environmental impacts on natural habitats, carry out contaminated land and asbestos surveys and assess recycling capabilities and energy performance among a host of other things,” he commented.
“Sustainability is about making sure all of our businesses, public services, national resources, economy and commuters have the capacity to continue in the future. While we are adept at thinking about their financial sustainability and investing in economic resources, our society has been less successful in looking after the human, social and environmental resources that we rely on.”
According to Philip, the devastation caused by the floods in June 2007, which badly damaged his own practice on Brightside Lane, has sharpened the focus on how such incidents are affecting the appraisal of property from all perspectives at a local, regional and national level.
“Clients expect the profession to provide them with the most relevant, appropriate and up to date advice which in the current market includes all aspects of sustainable developments,” he said.
And Wilbourn Associates is responding to these new demands with continued and significant investment in its workforce. Several employees have recently completed training to conduct energy performance certificate assessments at a cost to the company of more than £100,000. The decision was in response to government legislation to improve the energy efficiency of commercial buildings and Wilbourn’s staff will be among fewer than 100 accredited assessors nationwide when the law comes into force later this year.
“All aspects of the business are strong but we are getting large numbers of enquiries about EPCs and have just secured a major council contract for the provision of display energy certificates which, from October, will be required for all public authority buildings with a floor area over 1,000 sqm,” said Philip. “There are many developments currently affecting the profession and we take a long-term approach to addressing them,” he added.
For further information about this press release please contact Philip Wilbourn at Wilbourn Associates on 0114 243 5500 / 07973 797011.
