Smith & Garratt survey buildings. The subjects of our surveys are usually buildings that are occupied, where we cannot open-up fabric to see what lies beneath surfaces. Sometimes we drill 10mm holes and use an 8mm borescope to peer inside the fabric. This can be useful, for example, to inspect wall ties within a cavity … Read more
Smith & Garratt have a range of tools for investigating buildings. Our thermal imaging camera provides a quick, non-invasive method of assessing thermal performance, incomplete insulation, cold bridging, damp, electrical overheating and other defects. To be able to see defects clearly, we need differences in temperature, or contrast. We may, for example, ask for heating … Read more
Smith & Garratt survey buildings. The greatest number are condition surveys, but we also measure and draw. The majority are measured traditionally, using tapes and laser distance measurers. For complex buildings we use a Total Station. For detailed 3D work we use a digital scanner. Smith & Garratt will transfer data from drawings on to … Read more
Smith & Garratt survey buildings. The greatest number are home surveys, but we survey other buildings too – for example bridges, churches, chapels, barns, mills, towers, pavilions, piers and quays, bridges, a lifeboat station and a racecourse grandstand. Image Gallery Related News John Carr’s Grandstand Feb 21, 2019 Noted Yorkshire architect, John Carr (1723–1807), is … Read more
Smith & Garratt survey buildings. We understand the fabric of buildings, we diagnose defects, we undertake building pathology. Here are examples of some things we see and write about. Fungi Defective chimney flashings – resulted in dry rot (Serpula Lacrymans)18 months later. Ink-caps (Coprinus Domesticus), sometimes known as ‘plaster mushrooms’. Although not destructive like dry-rot, … Read more
Smith & Garratt develop sites. We promote clients’ interests through the Development Plan process; prepare and submit applications; conduct reviews, appeals and Public Inquiries. Smith & Garratt develop sites. Here are some examples… Bespoke house, Scottish Borders Bespoke house, Scottish Borders Conversion, Scottish Borders Conversion, Scottish Borders Golf course, Loch Lomond-side Golf course, Loch Lomond-side … Read more
The Pavilion is a Venetian-style amusement arcade and café overlooking the Northumberland coastline from Spittal, Berwick-upon-Tweed. Smith & Garratt were asked to review the current building and to produce an outline scheme for improvement and enlargement. The initial scheme was produced in Sketch-Up as a fast way to visualize the building and a possible extension … Read more
Smith & Garratt use sun-path analysis in design. The sun path, sometimes also called the day arc, refers to the daily and seasonal path the sun appears to follow across the sky as the earth orbits it and rotates. Sun-path analysis predicts the daylight experience at any building plot, helping us to design and orientate a building to … Read more
Smith & Garratt obtained planning permission at appeal for a house on a prominent site, visible from the A1 Trunk Road at Lamberton, with fabulous sea views. The plot was sold, and the purchaser asked us to design her dream home based on a house in Elgin – bigger than the consented design allowed and, … Read more
Throughout many years of building standards work, Smith & Garratt never had to dig in heels over a decision by a local authority’s Building Control department. This changed in 2018 when we proposed a ‘cold’ flat roof to close over a valley between pitches of traditional Scotch slate at a B-listed former manse. Our scheme … Read more