Legal 500

“Bruno Herbots is applauded as ’offering insight that would not be obvious to clients”

“Many consider him [Bruno Herbots] a young star with the ‘X’ factor in construction and procurement law”

Chambers

“Practice head Bruno Herbots handles all aspects of construction and public procurement law. Clients appreciate his inventive solutions as well as the international experience gained from a number of jurisdictions”

“A “charismatic legal strategist” who is “very well versed in contract law and always available,” according to impressed sources.”

“Commended for being readily accessible and pleasant to deal with”

“Bruno Herbots is recommended as ‘a hard-working lawyer who is always pushing for the best result’. Recent highlights for the team include advising the National Paediatric Hospital Development Board on the development of the National Paediatric hospital Project”

“Construction and Procurement Department Head, Bruno Herbots has experience in both construction and projects, having applied his ‘thorough, pragmatic and efficient work ethic’ to some of the country’s major PPP projects, particularly in the rail sector.”

“Top notch on construction and procurement matters.”

IS A SURVEY NECESSARY FOR A MODERN HOUSE?

The answer is yes.  However, most experienced property professionals consider a very detailed survey unnecessary in relation to a modern house in a building estate and feel that a more careful examination is more appropriate and necessary in relation to older houses, houses which have been altered, and once-off houses.

Remember that a modern house may already have been altered.  It is much more likely that there will be problems with the alterations than with the original structure of the house, so, if a house has been converted or extended it needs to be looked at more closely.

It is worthwhile pointing out here that it often takes some years for defects to show up in a new house.  A report of building faults in new-build housing noted that:-

“Greater efforts are being made to achieve an interesting and distinctive appearance, for example by using projecting windows and porches, and different roof configurations.  It is clear that defects tend to increase in proportion to such features….”

Once-off houses, particularly those built by direct labour, have been the cause of many problems and deserve much closer scrutiny. (See paragraph 14 below.)

The latent defects cover given to the purchasers of new houses registered with HomeBond and similar insurers more often than not do NOT adequately cover a subsequent owner particularly if the defect should have been discovered on a reasonable examination by a competent surveyor.  This exclusion applies whether you get the property surveyed or not, but this is another good reason why a purchaser should get a house surveyed by a competent surveyor.