Independent building consultancy · UK

DETAIL   51.5072° N
CONTEXT  0.1276° W

See the building.Understand the whole.

Technical clarity for the built environment—from the scale of a material junction to the strategy of an entire estate.

Buildings are not isolated components.

They are systems—shaped by materials, weather, regulation, investment and the people who use them every day.

Look closer

We investigate with care, test assumptions and follow evidence to the root cause.

Think wider

We connect the detail to occupancy, operation, risk, cost and long-term intent.

Speak clearly

Integrity means useful answers, candid advice and no hiding behind technical language.

The SPEK method

Move between
detail and context.

The MacroThe Micro

Expertise across the life of a building.

One connected view, from diagnosis and compliance to projects, transactions and long-term performance.

01

Building surveying

Clear, evidence-led advice on condition, risk and the decisions that follow.

Understand the condition of a property and what it means for your next decision. We look at the building as a whole, connecting visible defects with its construction, use and maintenance history.

How we can help

  • Condition surveys and focused inspections
  • Repair priorities and further investigation needs
  • Advice to support purchase, occupation or planned works

A clear account of the findings, their significance and the practical next steps.

02

Projects & contracts

Project delivery and contract administration with technical detail held firmly in view.

Turn an agreed brief into a coordinated programme of work. We help define the scope, communicate requirements and keep technical decisions connected to cost, quality and progress.

How we can help

  • Specifications, schedules of work and tender support
  • Contract administration and progress reviews
  • Completion inspections and defects follow-up

Clear responsibilities, documented decisions and oversight through delivery.

03

Insurance & reinstatement

Calm, rigorous support from first assessment through repair and recovery.

Bring structure to the repair process after property damage. We assess the building, identify the investigations and repairs required, and help the parties understand the technical basis of the proposed work.

How we can help

  • Damage inspections and repair assessments
  • Reinstatement specifications and schedules
  • Technical liaison and monitoring of repair works

An evidence-based repair scope and a practical route towards reinstatement.

04

Defects & diagnostics

Finding the cause—not simply recording the symptom—through investigation and building physics.

Recurring defects need more than a surface repair. We examine how materials, moisture, heat and building use interact, using the available evidence to identify likely causes and guide proportionate investigation.

How we can help

  • Investigation of damp, condensation and water ingress
  • Review of fabric defects and thermal junctions
  • Remedial options and checks on repair effectiveness

An explanation of the problem, the limits of the evidence and the next steps needed to resolve it.

05

Compliance & safety

Practical guidance through changing duties, standards and regulatory gateways.

Understand the technical requirements affecting your building or proposed works. We help organise the evidence, identify gaps and coordinate specialist input so that responsibilities and required actions are clear.

How we can help

  • Review of building information and compliance records
  • Technical support for planned works and submissions
  • Identification of specialist assessments and evidence needs

A practical action plan that connects the relevant requirements with your project.

06

Technical due diligence

The insight needed to acquire, occupy, fund or develop with confidence.

Make property decisions with a clearer view of technical risk. We review condition, available records and proposed use to identify issues that could affect future works, expenditure or occupation.

How we can help

  • Pre-acquisition and occupation-focused inspections
  • Review of maintenance history and available building records
  • Assessment of repair liabilities and further investigation priorities

Decision-focused findings that help you plan the next stage with the right information.

07

Refurbishment

Design, specification and oversight that make existing buildings work harder and last longer.

Improve an existing building with an understanding of what is already there. We connect the proposed changes with condition, fabric performance and the needs of the people using the space.

How we can help

  • Appraisal of refurbishment options and constraints
  • Repair, improvement and fit-out specifications
  • Coordination and inspection of refurbishment work

A coherent scope of improvements, grounded in the building and its intended use.

08

Maintenance strategy

Planned, prioritised programmes grounded in condition, use and whole-life value.

Replace reactive repairs with an informed plan. We assess condition and maintenance needs, then help prioritise work around risk, building use and the resources available.

How we can help

  • Condition-based maintenance plans
  • Prioritised repair programmes and budget planning
  • Review of recurring issues and maintenance records

A usable programme that helps you decide what to do now and what to plan for later.

09

Development support

Independent technical thinking across feasibility, design, construction and handover.

Bring independent technical input into a development from the outset. We help test assumptions, identify constraints and maintain a connection between early decisions and the building that is ultimately delivered.

How we can help

  • Early feasibility and technical options reviews
  • Design and construction-stage technical input
  • Handover information and completion reviews

Clearer decisions at each stage, with technical risks and information needs made visible.

Read the building.
Respect its story.

The people behind SPEK

Paul Sholl

Paul Sholl

Director

BDMA Tech

Connect on LinkedIn

Paul’s approach is built on structured curiosity: asking careful questions, testing assumptions and understanding the cause before recommending a solution. He moves between the detail of a defect and the wider building, considering its history, surroundings and the people who use it.

He sees building consultancy as a form of custodianship. His role is to bring evidence, practical judgement and clear communication to decisions that affect a building’s use and future. That means proportionate recommendations, openness about uncertainty and a willingness to change his view when the evidence demands it.

  • 01 Building condition & defect investigation
  • 02 Property damage & reinstatement
  • 03 Repair scopes & schedules of work
  • 04 Project & contractor coordination
  • 05 Cost review & final accounts
  • 06 Practical technical guidance

Make performance visible.
Make improvement practical.

Specialist perspective

Kimmy El-Dash

Kimmy El’Dash

Senior Sustainability & Building Performance Consultant

M.Arch · ACIAT

Kimmy’s expertise connects building physics, retrofit strategy and real-world delivery—bringing energy, fabric, compliance and occupant outcomes into the same conversation.

Her background spans sustainable environmental design, retrofit and decarbonisation, with experience at Mace, Max Fordham and ZEDfactory. Her featured work includes environmental analysis of housing and M.Arch research exploring fuel poverty beyond energy efficiency.

  • 01Building performance analysis
  • 02Retrofit strategy & PAS 2035
  • 03Thermal bridging & junction review
  • 04Fabric-first improvement
  • 05Sustainability input for refurbishment
  • 06Higher-risk building support

Built around evidence

“The right answer begins with the right question.”

We combine close observation, technical knowledge and critical thinking. The result is advice that makes complexity usable—and action more certain.

Knowledge that
keeps working.

SPEK is being built as a platform for better building decisions: insight, tools and technical knowledge that stay useful long after a project ends.

  • SPEK Core methodology
  • Technical insight & guidance
  • Digital surveys & project tools
  • CPD & training

My SPEK

Your documents.
Ready when you are.

Preview and download the project documents SPEK has shared with you.

Open your client workspace – My SPEK

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Bring us the building.
We’ll bring perspective.

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