Domestic Savings in 2016
We have now reviewed our domestic projects for 2016 to look at the value we have brought to our domestic clients. Over the last twelve months we have saved our domestic clients an average of £2,200 on the management of Japanese knotweed at their property. We have been able to provide these savings by the following means: - Our survey report demonstrating that Japanese knotweed local to the property does not present a risk to the mortgage lender;
- Demonstrating that Japanese knotweed impacting a property is the legal responsibility of adjacent land/homeowners;
- Ensuring an independent assessment of the required Japanese knotweed management has been undertaken; and
- Where required, tendering works to at least three Property Care Association contractors.
2015 Savings to Clients
We have now reviewed our domestic projects for 2015 to look at the value we have brought to our domestic clients. 45% of our surveys for Japanese knotweed resulted in no further works required to facilitate a mortgage.
This demonstrates the value of an independent surveyor undertaking the initial survey as there is no commercial gain from their recommendations. Where we have advised no further action this has typically been due to the knotweed being on an adjacent property and posing no immediate risk to our client’s property. It should be noted in this scenario it is always wise to engage the neighbour to ensure they manage the problem on their property.
Where further action has been required we have saved our clients an average of £1,500 on treatment costs for relatively simple works and a staggering £20,000 on works of a more complex nature. This is due to AJK having no commercial link to a contractor and always tendering the works to at least three Property Care Association Contractors.
We have also saved our Clients time as we only need to visit the property once, whereas if you want to get three quotes directly, this typically requires three visits from three contractors on three different days.
In 2016 we will continue to ensure our clients are only undertaking works absolutely necessary and are getting the best value from the market place.
Continue ReadingSouth Wales Road Survey
Ashfield JK have completed a survey of the A470 in South Wales on behalf of the South Wales Trunk Road Agency. Undertaken in the Autumn of 2015, AJK identified invasive species along a stretch of the A470 from Cardiff to Nant Ddu ensuring all information was captured in the client’s GIS system. This will ensure the Client understands the extent of invasive species for targeting treatment programmes and maintaining good biosecurity during maintenance operations. Continue ReadingJapanese Knotweed Survey & Risk Review
AJK have recently won a project to undertake a GPS survey of Japanese Knotweed (JK) for a council in the southeast of England. Works entail the accurate positioning of JK in areas of public open space with all data captured in the council’s GIS system. On completion of the survey, AJK will review the risk presented by the JK to the council’s land and adjacent properties resulting in a client focussed specification to tender the JK management works. This will place the council in a strong position in understanding the risk presented by JK whilst providing confidence that the recommended works are only those absolutely necessary due to AJK’s independence.
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