WITH OFFICES IN LEEDS , LONDON , NEWCASTLE , MANCHESTER , BRISTOL AND TEESSIDE , SANDERSON WEATHERALL IS A LEADING NATIONAL FIRM OF UK CHARTERED SURVEYORS AND PROPERTY CONSULTANTS
PROPERTY AND FACILITIES MANAGEMENT : SANDERSON WEATHERALL
HIGHEST QUALITY SERVICE
WITH OFFICES IN LEEDS , LONDON , NEWCASTLE , MANCHESTER , BRISTOL AND TEESSIDE , SANDERSON WEATHERALL IS A LEADING NATIONAL FIRM OF UK CHARTERED SURVEYORS AND PROPERTY CONSULTANTS
Offering choice to clients is a firm principle of Sanderson Weatherall ’ s service . That extends to them choosing the level of service they need and even to having two separate property management computer systems with different features so clients can select the one most suitable for them .
Sanderson Weatherall ’ s roots go back to 1858 but the present name came about in 2003 as the result of a merger . Now it is a national property services business with eight offices and around 200 staff , the majority being qualified personnel .
MIXED CLIENTS Asset management is the biggest trading division where clients are a mixture of individuals , trusts , property companies and institutions , with some large contracts which include acting for the Co-operative Group , Magnet plc and BRB ( Residuary ) that was formed to deal with British Rail ’ s property assets when it was privatised .
“ Around 90 % of our business is acting for owners and landlords as the purchaser / occupier ,” remarks Head of Asset Management Chris Dixon . “ It is probably about 95-98 % commercial because residential management is very time consuming and can be difficult .”
Despite offering choice to clients and taking an appropriate approach , Chris finds most want to take advantage of the comprehensive service Sanderson Weatherall provides for asset management to effectively run the assets for them . That splits into three main areas — accountancy work which includes collecting rent and service charge , managing the reserve fund and preparing yearend accounts ; maintaining the plant and common areas of the properties ; and professional work involving liaison with tenants and clients to find out what is needed and preparing service charge budgets .
Maintenance of buildings is handled through a network of contracts that changes little apart from when a new building is taken on with existing contractors . Even then , it often tends to be the same companies for the specialist work and Chris says : “ My preference is to inherit what is there , see how it works and then , if needs be , change it . Some clients want a completely fresh start but , in my experience , that tends to cause problems .”
RECOMMENDED WORK Taking on a new property gives the opportunity to undertake a condition survey to determine what is needed in order to maximise property value and income . Chris emphasises , however , actual work is the choice of the client : “ We will take the property on , look at it and make recommendations to clients as to what needs to be done to bring it up to scratch for the short , medium and long term . Given what has happened over the last five or six years , there is some reluctance from clients to put money into
56 BUILDING DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION MAGAZINE www . bdcmagazine . co . uk