1. Building control in Buildings Department;
2. Technical advice on legal restrictions - Buildings Ordinance, Town Planning and Land Leases, etc.;
3. Development consultancy and project monitoring in joint venture developments and on behalf of project financiers; and
4. Project management during development stage.

1. Building maintenance management (both in the private and public sectors);
2. Diagnosis of building defect, as 'Building Doctor';
3. Building safety inspections;
4. Fire safety, inspections;
5. Refurbishment and renovation;
6. Licence application;?#060;li> Fire insurance valuation;
7. Measurement surveys;
8. Facilities management;
9. Building surveys prior to purchase or arising from building disputes;?#060;li> Expert witness and arbitration;?#060;li> Advice on occupational requirements and spatial planning; and?#060;li>Management of fitting out work for residential building, office, commercial building, etc.

• Building Surveyors in private practice are involved in oil stages of the development process from inception to completion. They are available to provide tailor-made services for Clients engaging in building development.

• Buildings vary considerably as, indeed, Jo the instructions of Clients. Although this document attempts to describe the Scope of Services and the respective duties of the Surveyor and his Client in as much detail of possible. However, it is inevitable that some variations will occur and it is therefore anticipated that the contents of the relevant sections of the document will be amended to suit the particular needs of?both the Surveyor and Client.

• Professional Building Surveyors are qualified by examination and practical experience and must uphold the stringent professional standard of the Hong Kong Institute of Surveyors, which requires a high level of service and efficiency as well as compliance with a strict code of professional conduct.

• Professional Building Surveyors deliver complete building solutions.

The Building Surveyor acts as Project Manager in advising on the development potential with respect to technical and legal implications as follows:

• Any restrictions imposed by the Buildings Ordinance, the lease conditions and the Town Planning Ordinance and also on any construction difficulties likely to be encountered;

• Financial and economic considerations affected by the construction aspects;

• Joint venture terms and following through the drawing up and execution of the Agreement;

The Building Surveyor acts as Project Manager (or Project Consultant) to monitor the construction process so that the buildings ore constructed on time and within budget with the desired quality being achieved. The major functions of the Project Manager are as follows:

• Preparation of feasibility studies and client brief.

• Preparation of budgets and master programme.

• Appointment of the project professional design team (i.e. Architects, Engineers, Quantity Surveyors, etc.).

• Management of the design of this buildings and selection of materials.

• Coordination of Government approvals.

• Procurement, tendering, award of contracts and sub-contracts, contract administration and co-ordinating the approval of shop drawings, samples, variations and claims.

• Construction monitoring time, cost and quality.

• Communication and reporting.

• Undertaking financial control - cash flow, progress payments and final account.

• The Building Surveyor in his capacity as Project Manager advises on capitol costs and running costs (cost-in-use) and on replacement costs for fire insurance purposes.

• The Building Surveyor advises on maintenance strategy and arranges for the preparation of all maintenance manuals, as-built drawings and specialists handbooks so that buildings will be maintained in on efficient manner.

• On behalf of client the project manager coordinates and approves alterations to the building and building services proposed by tenants and occupiers.

Building surveyors play a major role in the management and maintenance of buildings after their completion.

• Advising on construction and legal constraints prior to letting and arranging for the fitting out works for the client, leading to the issue of licences (e.g. restaurants, hotels, child core centres, kindergarten, old aged home, etc.

• Advising on planning and implementation of maintenance programmes both day-to-day and long term.

• The diagnosis of building defects and advising on remedial works and costs.

• Providing expect knowledge on design and materials performance.

Condition surveys of existing buildings and preparation of schedule of dilapidation.

Inspections of older buildings in respect of building and fire safety under the Buildings Ordinance and Fire Safety (Commercial Premises) Ordinance respectively and supervision of subsequent works to bring the building in a state of good repairs and complying with the requirements of the Ordinances.

Conditions Surveys of existing buildings prior to major construction activities and advising on effects and remedial actions including litigation and compensation.

Acting as an expert witness in court and arbitrator in building and contract disputes.

Advising on maintenance strategy improvement and renovation works and administering the Deed of Mutual Covenant and Building Management Ordinance.


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• The Hong Kong Institute of Surveyors
• The Royal Institute of Characted Surveyors