Surveying Timber Framed Buildings

How to survey and report upon historic timber framed buildings. Learn about how timber framed buildings are formed, what are the typical defects and problems found, and how to report to and advise clients.

Typical Programme

9 to 9:30 - Arrival

9:30 to 10:30 - Guided tour of Little Hall.

10:30 to 11:30 - Talk

Talk about the use of timber, timber species, conversion of timber and the nature of joints in a typical timber framed building. This will be a sit-down talk in the meeting room at Little Hall with a presentation by me.

11:30 to 12:30 - Walk and Talk

Using Little Hall as an example, look at past repairs, joints, methods of construction and alterations. A walking talk around the building developing on the first session.

12:30 to 14:00 - Lunch and Guildhall visit

Lunch at The Guildhall, Lavenham followed by a tour (unguided) during which delegates will be given notes of things to look out for and identify. The Guildhall will therefore be used as a training exercise. Delegates will be free to take photos, sketch, etc. I will remain on hand to talk to delegates throughout, but I cannot ‘guide’ a group around the building.

14:00 to 14:30 - Review of exercise undertaken at The Guildhall.

14:30 to 15:30 - Walk and Talk

Talk about typical defects and issues affecting a timber frame using Little Hall as an example. Subject to weather this could take place outside and include a brief look at some nearby buildings from the exterior. If delegates are appropriately dressed, we could go outside and look at other nearby buildings, even if it is raining.

15:30 to 16:30 - Exercise

Practical exercise wherein the delegates are tasked with preparing a couple of paragraphs for a report to clients regarding certain aspects of the timber frame at Little Hall. Several scenarios will be provided, and delegates will have the chance to choose from a selected range of options.

16:30 to 17:30 - Talk

Review of exercise and discussion about report writing, advising clients, and touching upon writing schedules of work (if time allows and if appropriate/helpful). This final session will again be sat down in the meeting room.

17:30 - Close and depart

Qualifies for c. 7 hours CPD