In his capacity as a chartered surveyor and building consultant, with nearly 50 years experience (more than 30 of them in Caithness) in the property and construction sectors, Peter Body offers advice and guidance to self-builders of new homes, in the County, and provides:

Having been responsible for the design of several hundred bespoke homes Peter understands how to combine good design with value for money. This means clients get an attractive, functional home at a price they can afford. These services may include:

• Site Appraisal / Layout
• Design & Construction Drawings
• Submission of Planning & Building Warrant Applications

Peter undertakes the RICS Inspection and Certification of Domestic Structures (Self-Build Certification) for self-build house projects, where the builder employed is not NHBC registered. This service is restricted to timber frame housing projects, where the kit is supplied by a reputable timber frame manufacturer (UK Timber Frame Association member).

This service enables self-builders to obtain, on completion, a certificate stating that the property is considered structurally sound and suitable for mortgage or other financial arrangement. Specifically it provides the Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML) Professional Consultant Certificate.

Peter has also produced a couple of self-build guides which may be of interest to self-builders.

As an extension to the Inspection & Certification Services, Peter offers self-builders, who may live outwith the County or do not have the confidence / ability to manage their build, a full project management service which may include:

• Procuring & Advising on Tenders
• Full Supervision of the Works
• Agreeing Payments To Contractor

For the record Peter is a Professional Member of The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (MRICS) and a Fellow of The Chartered Institute of Building (FCIOB).

Disclosure: Peter Body is chairman of and a major shareholder in Norscot Joinery Ltd, of Bower and Inverness, a manufacturer of timber frame house kits.