SURVEY SPECIFICATION

Structural Dilapidation Survey – Technical Specification and Commercial Terms and Conditions

Technical Specification

1.0 Definitions.

1.1 The "Structural Dilapidation Surveyor" (SDS) shall be Dilapidation Survey Company of Ireland Ltd (“DSCI”).

1.2 The "Client" shall be the Engineer/ Architect/ Contractor/ Property owner who instructs the SDS to carry out the Structural Dilapidation Survey.

1.3 These are Standard Conditions. Specific alterations to this Specification can be agreed for a specific survey. For example, a vibrograph survey during the construction work may be considered prudent in some cases.

2.0 Scope of Survey.

2.1 A Structural Dilapidation Survey is a record, carried out by a suitably qualified and experienced independent Engineer to record the condition of a property before construction work commences in the vicinity. This survey can be used to determine if structural damage to the property has been caused by the construction work.

2.2 The client shall instruct the SDS regarding the extent of the survey required in writing. This extent will identify properties and which require internal and external surveys. The extent of the survey will depend on a number of factors including:
type of construction work to be undertaken (depth of excavation if any, nature of any rock to be removed, distance from the proposed work, condition of the property, type of property (owner occupier/ agricultural), attitude of the owner etc.)

2.3 The SDS will carry out a Structural Dilapidation Survey consisting of:

taking digital photographs of visible defects such as wall cracks, out of plumbs, bows, distortions and the like.
using crack width scale in photographs where appropriate.
making notes of defects which are not readily recorded in photographs and any other notes considered appropriate.

2.4 The Structural Dilapidation Survey is not an investigation for matters such as rot, hidden defects, areas hidden by foliage or furniture and the like. The survey does not address if the proposed construction work is a risk to causing damage to any property. The client shall confirm in writing to the adjacent owners, tenants, occupiers etc that the Dilapidation Survey is not a survey to assess if the proposed construction work may cause damage to the properties. The survey will be of the walk-around type with no access to roof spaces. No plumb bob survey will be carried out.

2.5 The survey will not involve gaining ladder or cherry picker access to high-level areas. Crack widths which are readily accessible at ground level will be measured and photographed (and using crack width gauge if appropriate). Cracks at high level, if any, will be photographed from ground level.

2.6 If access is required to private property, the property owners shall be contacted by the client. The nature of the proposed survey work, purpose of the survey and date on which the survey is to be carried out is to be outlined to the property owner by the client. If access to any area is not possible on the date of the survey, then this area will not be surveyed - no special trip shall be undertaken.

3.0 Deliverables.

3.1 The SDS shall send to the client within 2 weeks of completion of the site survey work, a CD (or more copies by agreement) containing the photographs and the site notes (if any). The notes may be in written form or in electronic audio file format at DSCI’s discretion. The CD shall be stamped, dated and signed as a record of the survey.

3.2 The SDS shall retain an electronic copy of the photographs and site notes for a period of not less than 3 years.

3.3 The SDS shall be available in the event of a claim being made regarding alleged damage caused by the construction work. Large prints shall be taken from the electronically stored data and comparisons made regarding the "before” and "after" condition. Additional fees will be charged in this case.

Commercial Terms and Conditions

4.0 Fees Payable.

4.1 The fees shall be paid in full within 30 days of issuing an invoice. Late payment additional monies shall be due and calculated in accordance with SI 580 of 2012 – European Communities (Late Payment in Commercial Transactions) Regulations 2012.

5.0 Liability.

5.1 DSCI’s liability, as well as the liability of its officers, directors, employees and sub-contractors, arising out of, under or in connection with this Agreement, whether in contract, tort (including negligence), debt, breach of statutory duty or otherwise shall be limited to the lower of (a) two times the total fee for providing the services or (b) €2,000 (two thousand Euros).

5.2 DSCI will not be liable for any indirect or consequential losses arising out of, under or in connection with this Agreement including but not limited to loss of profit, loss of business opportunity, increased operating costs, loss of good will or loss or damage suffered by the Client or any third party.

5.3 No action or proceedings under or in connection with this Agreement whether in contract, tort (including negligence), debt, breach of duty or breach of statutory duty or otherwise shall be commenced after the expiry of 2 years from the date DSCI completes the Services.

6.0 Mediation.

6.1 All disputes that arise under, out of or in connection with the Agreement, shall be referred to mediation by a single mediator to be appointed by the parties or in the absence of agreement by the President for the time being of the Law Society of Ireland. If the dispute is not resolved by the mediator within 6 months of appointment by the mediator, then the dispute shall be referred to Arbitration to a single arbitrator to be appointed by the President for the time being of the Law Society in accordance with and subject to the provisions of the Arbitrations Acts 1954 to 1998 or any statutory modification or re-enactment thereof for the time being in force.

7. 0 Copyright.

7.1 The copyright of all photographs, notes, reports and the like shall remain vested in DSCI.