As we look back on the first quarter of 2025, it’s fair to say the year has started with real momentum. Traditionally, the early part of the year sees a quieter spell – particularly in residential surveying, due to the seasonal slowdown in the property market over the Christmas period. Similarly, our Education team typically experiences a lull after the December deadline for Condition Improvement Fund (CIF) applications.
However, this year we have seen somewhat of a buck to the normal trends, with an increase in instructions, particularly in the residential market.
With strong demand across all departments, the first three months of 2025 have flown by, with our teams across all offices keeping exceptionally busy. Here we take a closer look at the activity we have seen at our offices across Lancashire.
Blackburn Office – Building Surveying Team
Our Building Surveying team in Blackburn has been involved in a wide range of interesting and impactful projects. Notably, Practical Completion was achieved on a multi-million-pound new-build chemical manufacturing facility in Blackburn, where we acted as Employer’s Agent throughout the development.
We’ve seen an uptick in instructions for Land Registry Compliant Plans across Lancashire, Cumbria, and Greater Manchester, many coming through solicitor and estate agent referrals.
Other stand-out projects include:
- Negotiating a £100k saving for a tenant client in a dilapidations dispute.
- Appointed to project-manage the conversion of two supported living properties in Barnsley into four individual units.
- Appointed to oversee a refurbishment project in Rossendale tailored for a disabled resident and their family, acting on behalf of Court of Protection Deputies.
- Completing Quinquennial Inspections for churches across the North, including sites in Salford, North Yorkshire, Bradford and Lancashire.
Blackburn Office – Education Consultancy Team
Our Education team has been equally active, with several large-scale projects and funding wins.
Key highlights include:
- Completion and successful handover of a classroom extension at Endmoor School, celebrated with a formal opening ceremony.
- Commencement of a major two-storey extension at Little Lever School, funded by the Local Education Authority.
- Securing substantial funding through the lesser-known SSICB Fund for a Cumbrian high school, with tender packages issued for multiple upgrades.
- Appointment by the Department for Education to deliver roof replacement schemes at a PFI school in Staffordshire.
- Continued delivery of SEND provisions at schools across the region, with new funding allocated.
- The six-storey extension at Rochdale Sixth Form College nears completion, with final fit-out and handover now underway.
- Site work has begun on a CIF-funded central heating replacement project at The Willows School in Wythenshawe.
- Planning approval granted for new floodlights and a MUGA at The Hollins High School in Accrington.
Buckshaw Office – Survey & Valuation Team
Our Survey and Valuation team at the Buckshaw office has also been extremely busy. Residential activity was strong following the stamp duty changes, with a high number of RICS Home Surveys and valuations completed before the end of March.
Key updates include:
- Consistent demand for commercial valuations and pre-purchase reports.
- Completion of Asset Valuations for Ribble Valley Borough Council’s property portfolio.
- Increased volume of Right to Buy and Right to Acquire valuations following the autumn Budget.
- A two-year extension secured to act as retained Residential Valuer for a Lancashire Borough Council.
- Ongoing work on a three-year rolling programme to provide Insurance Reinstatement Valuations for a Diocese’s property portfolio of 200–300 buildings.
- Delivery of Designated Adviser Reports for various Methodist Church circuits.
- Surveys carried out on several high-value (£1m+) residential properties in Lancashire.
Other News
In addition to our busy workload across all departments, we’ve also embarked on the refurbishment of our own office at Matrix Business Park, where contractors are now on site making great progress. This project reflects our continued investment in creating a modern, welcoming and efficient working environment for our team and visitors alike.
Alongside this, we are actively recruiting for several new roles, including Graduate Building Surveyors, a Graduate Valuation Surveyor, and Placement Students. These positions are part of our wider strategy to grow and develop the next generation of Surveyors and ensure we can continue to meet the needs of our expanding client base.
Looking Ahead
We are very positive following the busy start to 2025. With a strong pipeline of work and ongoing investment in our people and offices, we’re looking forward to the rest of the year with optimism and energy.
