Acquiring a traditional building is as much a responsibility as it is an investment. Our specialist pre-purchase surveys provide a clear, detailed understanding of a property’s condition, character, risks, and long-term care requirements before you commit. Undertaken exclusively from the perspective of traditional building conservation, our surveys combine forensic investigation with practical, independent advice — including damp investigation supported by thermographic analysis.

The right option if you are looking to:

• Make informed purchasing decisions with confidence

• Understand future repair and maintenance liabilities early

• Protect the long-term value and integrity of the property

• Demand the fairest value

For period and heritage properties, preparation before sale can make a significant difference to buyer confidence, negotiation strength, and overall presentation. Our pre-sale condition and improvement surveys help you understand your building through the eyes of a discerning purchaser, allowing you to address concerns proactively, prioritise meaningful improvements, and present the property with clarity and confidence.

The right option if you are looking to:

• Identify defects and risks before they affect negotiations

• Prioritise improvements that enhance buyer confidence and presentation

• Support smoother transactions and protect property value

Problems within traditional buildings are rarely as straightforward as they first appear. Our damp and defect surveys combine advanced diagnostic methods with specialist conservation expertise to accurately identify the underlying causes of deterioration — not simply the symptoms. From persistent dampness and material failure to subtle changes that “don’t feel quite right”, we provide clear guidance on the most appropriate and proportionate course of action.

The right option if you are looking to:

• Get an accurate diagnosis rooted in traditional building pathology

• Avoid unnecessary or inappropriate remedial works

• Prioritise repairs with clarity and confidence

Traditional buildings require informed and carefully considered intervention. If you have received a quotation, specification, or proposed schedule of works and would value an independent expert opinion, we can review the recommendations, materials, and methodology being proposed. Our role is to help you make informed decisions that protect both the integrity of your building and the quality of the investment being made into it.

The right option if you are looking to:

• Ensure proposed works are appropriate for the building

• Avoid costly or damaging interventions

• Gain independent, conservation-led professional advice

Managing shared responsibilities within traditional tenements and historic multi-occupancy buildings can be challenging without clear structure and guidance. We develop bespoke maintenance and shared repair plans that help owners understand priorities, anticipate future works, and manage responsibilities with greater clarity and coordination.

The right option if you are looking to:

• Simplify complex shared repair responsibilities

• Plan ahead for future maintenance and expenditure

• Support better communication between owners and stakeholders

Whether responsible for a cottage, townhouse, estate property, tenement, or castle, understanding the condition of your building is essential to its long-term performance and preservation. Our specialist condition and maintenance surveys provide a comprehensive understanding of how your building is functioning today, together with practical guidance to help it remain healthy, efficient, and resilient for generations to come.

The right option if you are looking to:

• Gain a comprehensive understanding of your building’s condition

• Identify maintenance priorities before defects escalate

• Protect the long-term performance and heritage value of the property

Thoughtful, consistent maintenance is one of the most effective ways to preserve a traditional building and avoid unnecessary deterioration. Our bespoke maintenance plans are tailored specifically to your property, providing clear, conservation-led guidance based on its materials, exposure, construction, and use. Designed to remove uncertainty and support informed stewardship, these plans help owners care for their buildings with confidence over the long term.

The right option if you are looking to:

• Preserve the building through proactive, informed care

• Reduce the likelihood of major future repair costs

• Receive tailored guidance specific to your property and lifestyle

Successful heritage projects begin with a clear understanding of significance, character, and context. Whether preparing a listed building consent application, supporting sensitive alterations, or exploring the future use of a historic property, our heritage and planning consultancy services provide the specialist insight needed to navigate the process with confidence. We ensure proposals are both historically informed and presented to the highest professional standard.

The right option if you are looking to:

• Strengthen planning and listed building applications

• Ensure proposals respect the building’s historic significance

• Navigate complex heritage requirements with confidence

Understanding the history of a building can fundamentally shape how it is conserved, interpreted, and valued. CODÆH undertakes detailed research into historic buildings, places, and the wider built environment, providing carefully considered insight for private owners, heritage projects, conservation programmes, and academic or professional study.

The right option if you are looking to:

• Develop a deeper understanding of a building’s history and significance

• Inform conservation, repair, and planning decisions

• Access professionally researched and clearly presented findings