Adam Hodge - Building Surveying

I joined the Technical Due Diligence (TDD) team, within the Building and Project Consultancy Division (BPC), in September 2022 as a keen sandwich placement student, fresh out of my second year at the University of Reading, working under the helpful guidance of Charlotte Stockwell and Ricardo Coelho.

For some context, London BPC is made up of five main teams:

Technical Due Diligence

Dilapidations

Building Surveying Projects

Development Project Management

Office Project Management

My first week was full of introductions and I quickly got to know the whole team as it ended with a BBQ at Steve Page’s house (Steve is a very good cook!).

Over the year, I have been fortunate enough to work on a wide range of sectors and service lines including Technical Due Diligence for both acquisition and vendor, Reinstatement Cost Assessment, Preventative Maintenance Plans and Development Monitoring. The most notable mentions include:

Development Monitoring

I worked as the monitoring surveyor for a large mixed-use scheme in Bayswater. Our role involved reporting on the progress and the financial aspects of the scheme for the funder. This involved monthly progress meetings followed by a site walkaround where we got to see first-hand the scale and progress of the project.

Reinstatement Cost Assessments (RCA)

One of my first significant jobs was an RCA portfolio in central London, consisting of over 46 commercial, residential and mixed-use assets. Through undertaking floor plan measurements and surveys, we valued the reinstatement cost for each property for insurance and accounting purposes, establishing both rebuild and demolition fees.

Vendor Technical Due Diligence

I undertook a vendors Technical Due Diligence on a site comprising of three assets, two of which were Grade II listed. During the inspection, we methodically worked through each asset to report on the structure, elevations, internal areas, external areas, statutory compliance and ESG advice. Surveying Grade II listed buildings is interesting as they have historic significance which we have to take into account when specifying remedial works and the like.

I had the opportunity to work with Tony Defries on a series of somewhat unique jobs, covering vibration monitoring and defect diagnostic of sewerage smells. Although somewhat unique jobs, they have allowed me to visit some very high-end homes, all of which are just a bit out of my price range. It has been an eye-opening experience to see the vast differences in the housing stock across the UK.

I have worked on a wide range of assets, from single residential properties to multi-tenanted, 16 storey office blocks including the occasional ‘high end’ home. Most of my jobs have been in and around London, with an early morning visit to Bristol for a condition survey and a few visits to Basingstoke where I had multiple jobs working on monitoring the construction of three warehouses and Licences to Alter.

All of the experiences allowed me to work towards completing my Assessment Of Professional Competence (APC) to become a RICS Chartered Surveyor. Across the year, I have been grateful to be fully supported working towards this qualification. I visited other Savills’ offices with graduates on away days (structured APC days, consisting of talks from directors and industry professionals) and attended graduate site visits to developments such as the Old War Office.

Through undertaking an industry placement, I have been able to put theory learnt at university into practice. I have seen many examples of pathology defects ranging from rot and insect infestation to timber, to concrete defects of carbonation and honeycombing, all of which have contributed to my studies. I’ve observed different construction technologies being utilised throughout the construction process, for example, hollow clay pot and beam and block flooring.

Methods of surveying are always progressing, utilising the latest technological advances to improve outputs. I was able to obtain my flyer ID working at Savills, allowing me to use a drone on relevant surveys. The drone helped gain shots of the roofs and other inaccessible areas, allowing me to comment on their condition.  

On one survey, we instructed a Matterport scan to be completed. This gave us a 3D virtual model of the asset. Once scanning is complete, the software provided us with floor plans, a dollhouse model and a virtual 3D tour which helped present our findings to the client clearer and more concisely.

Outside Work

I have played football and have done lots of running and swimming since I was young; running my first marathon in April this year. Although having that sporty background, this year has valuably taught me that squash and yoga do not come naturally to me, especially after Ricardo Coelho thrashed me in squash. 

I have had the chance to partake in many charitable events for the company, including the Land Aid sleepout, which raised nearly £670,000 for youth homelessness and the JLL property triathlon which raised over £190,000 for WWF.

Alongside charity events, I have been given the opportunity to help others through condition surveys. This involved inspecting the assets, with our findings and recommendations geared towards improving the standard of their homes, bringing them up to the ‘Decent Homes Standard’. I have also had the chance to give talks to students about future careers in the property industry.

As my placement year comes to an end here at Savills, I look forward to completing my final year of university and applying everything I have learnt into my studies. I would like to give a huge thank you to everyone in the TDD team for all their help and wisdom across the past year. It has been a truly memorable and valuable experience. Thank you Savills!