Writing.
Field notes from independent practice. Plain-English answers to the questions that come up week to week — surveying, EPCs, retrofit, and the regulations behind them.
Selected writing
Longer pieces, written when a question comes up often enough to be worth answering properly.
Building control fees in 2026
Building control fees typically run £300–£950 for an extension, loft or garage conversion in 2026, more to regularise work done without one.
001 10 May 2026Do listed buildings need an Energy Performance Certificate?
Most do. The widely-held belief that listed buildings are exempt is a misreading of a narrow rule — and the wrong assumption to make if you’re selling, letting or refinancing.
Surveyor’s notes
All 62 surveyor’s notes →Short daily notes on the EPC, landlord and surveying news that actually changes something — and what it means in practice.
Surveyor's notes — 1 Oct 2026: prices stall
Nationwide says house price growth halved to 0.8% and Burnham wants councils to seize neglected rentals. A surveyor's read on both, plus landlord exits.
241 29 Sep 2026Surveyor's notes — 29 September 2026: just enough, not more
Landlords upgraded rentals to the bare EPC minimum, 500 homes a day are leaving the rental market, and Medway lands a £1,600 HMO licence fee.
236 28 Sep 2026Surveyor's notes — 28 September 2026: the six-month rule
Council powers to seize empty homes drop from two years to six months, and the new landlord register carries a £40,000 penalty ceiling.
Costs
All 61 cost guides →What things really cost in 2026, as ranges rather than false precision, with a surveyor’s view on whether the work is worth doing.
Lintel replacement cost in 2026
Lintel replacement costs £750–£2,500 for a typical window or door in 2026, more with scaffold or an engineer. What drives the price, and when it is needed.
246 30 Sep 2026Cavity wall insulation removal cost in 2026
Cavity wall insulation removal costs £1,500–£4,000 for a semi in 2026, often less if CIGA covers it. What drives the price and when you don't need to pay.
242 29 Sep 2026Roof inspection cost in 2026
Roof inspection cost in 2026: typically £100–£400, up to £500+ with drone or thermal imaging. Ladder vs drone vs scaffold, and the “free inspection” catch.
Field kit
All 130 field kit guides →The tools I actually carry, and the ones not worth the money. Tested against survey work, not a spec sheet.
The best window vacs for winter condensation
The best window vacs for winter condensation: what they treat, what they don't, and seven worth buying, from Kärcher, Bosch and Vileda.
247 1 Oct 2026The best heat pump tumble dryers for UK homes
Heat pump tumble dryers for UK homes: running cost against vented and condenser dryers, how they help condensation, and seven worth buying.
245 30 Sep 2026The best water softeners for hard water, salt vs electronic
A surveyor's honest guide to water softeners for Kent and Sussex hard water — salt-based ion exchange against electronic descalers, and seven worth buying.