As we move into Spring, the first quarter of the year has seen steady growth across all areas of the business. While January and February followed typical seasonal trends, activity has increased significantly into March, leaving all teams busy and well-positioned for the months ahead.
Below is a summary of key highlights across our core service areas.
Education & Building Surveying
It has been an exceptionally busy quarter for our education team, with a strong mix of completed projects, live sites, and schemes progressing through planning and tender stages.
Key project highlights include:
- Completion of a major extension at Little Lever School, Bolton
- Planning permission secured for a new-build teaching block at the same site
- New-build nursery currently on site at Croft Primary School, Warrington
- Large for a remodelling scheme underway for a SEND facility at a high school in Warrington
- 4G pitch nearing completion at Hollins School, Accrington
- Replacement modular building installed at a school in Stoke
Alongside these headline projects, we continue to deliver a wide range of smaller but essential works across multiple schools, including:
- Roofing replacements and repairs
- Heating system upgrades
- Electrical rewiring
- General condition and improvement works
Looking ahead, the summer programme is already taking shape, with a significant number of schemes in preparation:
- SCA funding secured for approximately 10 school projects across Blackburn and Carlisle Dioceses
- Multiple SEND schemes currently being tendered for summer delivery
- Extensive work underway preparing specifications, drawings, and tender documentation
We have also seen a notable increase in Condition Survey instructions, following updated DfE guidance, resulting in a high volume of survey work across schools and academies.
With CIF funding announcements expected shortly, we are preparing to respond quickly to further opportunities. At the same time, we are mindful of potential increases in construction costs as inflation continues to impact the sector.
Commercial Building Surveying
Our commercial team has maintained a consistent workload throughout the quarter, delivering core professional services across the North West and beyond.
Typical instructions have included:
- Pre-purchase condition surveys
- Schedules of condition
- Dilapidations advice
- Snagging inspections of new-build industrial units
- Land registration plans
Work has been carried out across Lancashire, Cumbria, Merseyside and Greater Manchester, with additional survey activity extending further afield, including a week of inspections in Inverness, Scotland.
We have also continued to undertake specialist commissions such as:
- Quinquennial condition surveys of churches
- Ongoing project work across a range of property types
While there is some uncertainty in the commercial market, particularly around inflation and energy costs, and the resultant impact on construction prices, there are encouraging signs. An increase in bank lending valuation instructions, particularly in the retail and industrial sectors, suggests a degree of ongoing confidence.
Residential Surveys & Valuations
The residential market followed its usual seasonal pattern, with a quieter start to the year before picking up significantly in March.
Current activity includes:
- Strong and consistent flow of instructions for Level 2 and Level 3 Home Survey Reports
- Increased demand for portfolio and reinstatement valuations
- Noticeable rise in matrimonial valuation work
Our residential team is working on back-to-back instructions, with a busy calendar of work. Despite wider economic uncertainty, the market in Lancashire has remained resilient.
Commercial & Specialist Valuations
The valuation team has experienced a varied and active quarter, with work spanning multiple sectors and client types.
Highlights include:
- Increased commercial valuation instructions, particularly for bank lending
- Good mix of retail and industrial assets (with fewer office instructions)
- Large portfolio valuations and reinstatement cost assessments
- Financial valuations for registered providers
- Continued specialist work valuing schools
This breadth of work reflects both market demand and the strength of our specialist expertise.
Team Update
We have continued to strengthen the team this quarter with new additions across the practice. This investment is already helping us manage increasing workloads and maintain the high level of service our clients expect.
Overall, it has been a positive and productive start to the year, with strong momentum building into Spring and a particularly busy summer period anticipated, especially within the education sector.
If you would like to discuss any upcoming projects or require advice, please get in touch with our team.
