News on project instructions and completions

Proud to Join SHP’s Campaign for Inclusive PPE: A Commitment to Safety and Comfort

Murray Birrell is proud to support SHP’s inclusive PPE campaign, an initiative dedicated to addressing the critical issue of ill-fitting PPE.

New Beginnings for Murray Birrell in the City of London

We are thrilled to announce our relocation to new office space at 40 Gracechurch Street.

A Very Warm welcome to Hannah Boyd MRICS, New Director of Neighbourly Matters

With over a decade of industry experience, Hannah specialises in the complexities of the Party Wall etc. Act 1996.

Giving Back to the Community: A Success Story of Collaboration and Empowerment

Murray Birrell Chartered Surveyors is proud to have been involved in a very special project in partnership with Hexagon Housing to help make a positive change in the community.

Murray Birrell’s Carbon Reduction Target Receives Gold Standard Validation

Murray Birrell have gained a Science Based Target accreditation. This is the globally recognised, gold standard, carbon footprint reduction pledge.

What does a Building Surveyor do?

In answer to what does a building surveyor do, we are an intermediary between building owners, building users, and any contractors carrying out work for either of them.

Carbon Footprint Reduction Target

Murray Birrell have produced an action plan based on scientific targets that delivers a pathway to reduce our carbon emissions by 46% by 2030.

Through Fresh Eyes of New Team Members

We asked Building Surveyor Oliver Fox, who is determined to become a Member of the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors, to sum up his first three months with us.

Murray Birrell Celebrates 30 Years!

1st December 2022 marks 30 years since Keith Murray and Stuart Birrell founded Murray Birrell. Thank you to all the clients who have given us the pleasure of working with them.

'St James the Great Memory Café' is our Christmas Charity of 2022

Our Christmas Charity of 2022 is a donation to St James the Great Memory Café, one of a growing number of dedicated cafés popping up for people with dementia, and their carers

Our Weather Shows We Need to Address Climate Change Impact on the Built Environment

The effects of climate change on buildings are becoming apparent, and certain elements of building standards are becoming out-dated. A February 2022 report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change includes: “The rise in weather and climate extremes has led to some irreversible impacts as natural and human systems are pushed beyond their ability to adapt.” We believe this can be applied to the systems used for structural design and construction methods in the built environment.

Career milestones for Murray Birrell Founding Directors

In 2022, both our founding directors Keith Murray and Stuart Birrell achieved the landmark of 40 years as RICS Chartered Surveyors. In total they have been Building Surveyors for over 46 years each, and Fellows of the RICS for 27 years. In addition, the company is 30 years old later this year. Congratulations are due to them for such huge achievements!

Spotlight on Women in Surveying, Diversity and Inclusion

The Pyramus & Thisbe Learned Society for Party Wall professionals hosted a “Women in Surveying, Diversity and Inclusion” listening session on International Women’s Day 2022.

A Very Warm Welcome Back

We were delighted when Building Surveyor Amanda Taber agreed to rejoin us in a senior position as an Associate Director. This was after spending an initial 15 years with us, and then two and a half years at a multi-disciplined construction consultancy.

Charity Christmas Donation to the Freddie Farmer Foundation

Each Christmas, Murray Birrell supports a local charity rather than send cards. This year we chose the Freddie Farmer Foundation for disabled children. FFF provides intensive physiotherapy programmes for disabled children aged 3 to 16.

Chairman During a Crisis!

My Two Years as London Branch Chairman of the Pyramus & Thisbe Society during the Pandemic: Little did I know how things were going to pan out when I gratefully accepted becoming Chairman of London branch of the Pyramus & Thisbe Society in June 2019.

Basement Wars and the Party Wall, etc. Act

Planning on creating a basement in your property? Don’t do anything until you’ve read this first. Stuart Birrell, Murray Birrell Director, Party Wall expert and former Chairman of the Pyramus & Thisbe Club, a Learned Society to promote Education and Excellence in Party Wall practice, gives his views on basements and how to avoid expensive legal costs.

One Berkeley Street Transformation

Murray Birrell is pleased to announce its role as Tenant Management Surveyor and Construction Logistics Contract Administrator for Crosstree Real Estate Partners LLP.

British Land and GIC invest £1.5bn to transform Broadgate London

Joint owners British Land and GIC are investing £1.5 billion to transform Broadgate into a world class, mixed-use destination and Murray Birrell is proud to be involved in this impressive development.

Works begin at Grade I Listed Country Estate in Essex

Repair works are now underway at Thorndon Hall. Murray Birrell was appointed to prepare a Planned Maintenance Report at Thorndon Hall, a Grade I Listed Georgian Palladian Country Estate in Essex.

P&T London Chairman Stuart Birrell hands over to successor

After an extended two-year tenure, Murray Birrell Director Stuart Birrell has handed over the ‘Bill of Fare’ to his successor as Chairman of London branch of the Pyramus & Thisbe Club, Michael Cooper.

Supporting Sustainable Practices in the Built Environment

During the Covid pandemic there was a general rise in awareness of the challenges associated with carbon emissions, and also levels of determination to take remedial action. The construction industry remains a prolific contributor to waste and carbon emissions, which gives plenty of scope to make improvements. We are privileged to work with clients who are significantly reducing their carbon emissions in construction work and other activities in the on-going built environment.

Preserving Heritage Buildings To Create Homes Fit For The Future

With growing acknowledgement of the value of restoring heritage buildings, maintaining an area’s historic character in the modern landscape is vital for important reasons. We have in-depth experience of repurposing heritage buildings as new homes, which reduces carbon emissions (compared to demolition and new buildings) and boosts residents’ community identity. Major projects include working with Weston Homes to refurbish and repurpose the 12 acre Cambridge Military Hospital site in Aldershot, Hampshire, for private residential and office use.

Multiple Role Project for Murray Birrell at London Conversion

Murray Birrell has completed a remodel project, which converted a previous house in multiple occupation (HMO) for residents with learning disabilities into two separate residential properties for our client, Lewisham Homes.

Restoring a Void Property back into the Housing Supply

Murray Birrell Surveyors was very proud to be involved in reinstating a dilapidated property back into the housing supply for our client, Lewisham Homes

Bats for Building Professionals Course

Check first to avoid fines for disturbing bats that could be living in buildings, plus seizure of equipment and even imprisonment, because they are protected. Our team are versed in “Bats” and a number of them have completed a Building Professionals’ Bat Awareness course.

Sloane Street Transformation

Murray Birrell are closely involved with the multi-million pound transformation of Sloane Street by Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea and Cadogan Estates.

The Challenges of Repurposing High Street Retail Space

The decline of the high street and town centres is well documented. Figures released by the Local Data Company show that high street retail vacancy rates reached a high of 13.7% in 2020. This means almost one in seven high street retail sites across the country is out of use.

Surveying with a Drone

Murray Birrell has increased its use of drones over the years, and we now routinely employ drone surveys to deliver safer, faster and more accurate inspection results, with considerable benefits to us as surveyors and our clients.

Historic Buildings and Conservation

Instructions for heritage and historic building conservation projects require specialist skills and form a significant part of Murray Birrell's portfolio.

Preserving an Area’s Past to Maintain a Fashionable Future

Murray Birrell has worked on many of the buildings in the Shad Thames area of Bermondsey on the south bank of the River Thames near Tower Bridge. This is an area we are very familiar with and it is always a joy to work there.

Works Completed at Contemporary Almshouse Project

Design and Contract Administration work on an award-winning building for The Skinners' Almshouse Charity, a constituent part of The Skinners [Livery] Company.

Learning and Working in Lockdown as a Building Surveyor

In 2020 Murray Birrell recruited two amazing assistant Building Surveyors. Rory Aldridge and Rebecca Malik joined us at time when despite pandemic lockdowns earlier in the year we were receiving new instructions from established clients and gaining some new ones as well.

A Guide to Landlord’s Consent for Tenant’s Alterations

Murray Birrell has nearly thirty years’ experience in the field of tenants’ alterations and associated Licence to Alter (LTA) work, during which time we have administered over 4,000 Tenant applications. This makes us perfectly positioned to assist clients in the process of dealing with Landlord’s consent for tenant’s alterations on buildings of any type.

Christmas Quiz 2020

Thank you to everyone who joined us for the Murray Birrell Big Christmas Quiz!

Our Christmas 2020 Chosen Charity is the Freddie Farmer Foundation

Each year we use what would have been our Christmas Card Budget to support a local charity. This year’s choice is the Freddie Farmer Foundation. We hope you might support it as well.

Building Site Crime Prevention

Recent media coverage of theft from buildings and building sites highlights the importance of recommending a range of reliable security measures to our clients.

Appointment on A 17th Century Scheduled Ancient Monument

We are delighted the Worshipful Company of Innholders has appointed us to work with them to maintain their beautiful hall.

The Lockdown Legacy of Office vs Remote Working

Here at Murray Birrell we had previously remained focussed on an office-centric policy, with limited remote working. The lockdown threw us in to a steep learning curve of using video-call and meeting technology, and also the etiquette of how to behave in virtual meetings .

Jolly Good Fellows!

Directors Keith Murray and Stuart Birrell and Associate Director Peter Wade celebrate 25 years as Fellows of The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors!

Filming a BBC Drama at Rainham Hall, a National Trust Property in East London

Murray Birrell has been associated with Rainham Hall since 2017, so it was fantastic to see the splendid 18th century Grade II listed house feature on the BBC's 2019 version of Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol”.

LANDLORD’S CONSENT FOR TENANTS' ALTERATIONS

After nearly thirty years’ experience involved in the field of tenants’ alterations and the Licence to Alter work, Murray Birrell is perfectly positioned to assist clients in the process of dealing with Landlord’s consent for tenant’s alterations on residential buildings.

Smash and Grab

So-called ‘smash and grab' adjudications have been the subject of much debate in the construction industry in recent years. Associate Director and Head of Construction, Sam Field MRICS, gives his views on how to navigate the ambiguity of ‘smash and grab’.

Murray Birrell are delighted to be appointed by Managing Agents Smith Waters again

Clearly favoured by Smith Waters who once referred to Murray Birrell as ‘the best surveyors you’ve never heard of!’ – an excellent testimonial for quality services and repeat business being delivered ‘under the radar’.

Silver Anniversary: Congratulations to Practice Administrator Cathy Toogood – 25 years with Murray Birrell!

"Sharing the same work ethic and personal values, in a blink of an eye we seem to have reached this milestone happily together and are still excited about the future for the company.”

WORK EXPERIENCE TESTIMONIAL: ALICIA GARBETT

"Unlike previous placements, Murray Birrell treated me like I was a member of the team, sharing ideas with what I can take back to university and getting me involved in the work that surrounds the day-to-day running of the office."

Associate Director Peter Wade FRICS appointed RICS Conservation Accreditation Assessor

Peter was in the first group to be become accredited as a Certified Historic Building Professional in 1992. There are still only 120 and the RICS wants to drive up the number.

Time For A Rope Trick When Scaffolding Isn't The Solution

Traditional scaffolding is not always appropriate on a building project. Where we find that the most common access methods on an external repair and redecoration project inappropriate or impractical, we use abseiling specialists.

Ironman Jack helps to raise record £231,572 for homeless charity

Record amount of money was raised for Crisis at JLL Property Triathlon. We're very proud our own “Ironman Jack” Donovan was among more than 3,750 competitors in this year's 13th annual JLL Property Triathlon and Property Swim on Friday 28 June 2019.

Hanging Around To Tackle "Regent Street Disease"

Murray Birrell has specified and acted as contract administrator on a complex façade repair scheme to a multi-storey building in London's West End.

New Building Services and New Clients at Murray Birrell

We're very pleased it's been good growth in two services areas in particular: we now provide a Principal Designer Service and we're more frequently engaged to provide Terminal Schedules of Dilapidations.

Murray Birrell now offers Principal Designer Service

For many years Murray Birrell has carried out an in-house Principal Designer Service on projects where we have operated as the main designer.

Peter Wade appointed on RICS Social Impact Awards 2020 judging panel

Peter Wade FRICS, our Certified Historic Building Professional, appointed for a fourth term on the prestigious RICS Awards 2020 judging panel.

Maintaining Historic Buildings by our Conservation Surveyor

Murray Birrell is ideally placed to offer expertise on working with historic buildings.

Becoming a Chartered Surveyor at 44

Our team member, Sam Field, qualified as a Chartered Surveyor back in December 2018. He agreed to “go public” on what the process involved and what it means to him to reach this career milestone. We hope it’s an inspiration to others working in our industry who have not achieved Chartered status.

Interview with Stuart Birrell for PartyWallPro.com

Stuart Birrell, co-founder and a director of Murray Birrell, and Chairman of the London Branch of the Pyramus & Thisbe Club, talks about party wall fees, good practice, training for party wall surveyors and much more.

How Murray Birrell has helped house and rehabilitate Armed Services veterans

How Murray Birrell has helped house and rehabilitate Armed Services veterans.

MURRAY BIRRELL CELEBRATED 25 YEARS

To mark their 25th Anniversary, Murray Birrell celebrates in true style at The Ritz.