Meet your local area Surveyor: Bristol
Last but not least, we have reached the office where Cook Brown Building Control first started trading from, Bristol. Fourth in our series of getting to know our South West Surveyors is, Richard Ferris.
Richard joined Cook Brown in 2015, he is extremely knowledgeable about the company, Building Control and the local area. Find out more about Richard below.
Tell us about your work background
“My Building Control career began in 2004 at Gloucester City Council as a Trainee where I became a fully Qualified Surveyor. During my time at a Local Authority, I dealt with a wide variety of Building Control Applications as well as undertaking DDA Audits, Contravention Applications, Dangerous Structures, Licensing and dealing with Safety aspects at Sports Grounds.
I left in 2013 to work for a private Building Control company, Butler and Young, as a Project Manager working on all types of Commercial projects for Tesco, Morrisons, and New Look stores.
In May 2015 I joined Cook Brown Building Control as a Building Control Surveyor and have since progressed to become a Senior Principal Building Control Surveyor. During my time here I have further increased my knowledge and experience working on all types of projects, from domestic to commercial projects, including blocks of flats/schools/office/shop fit outs/hotels care homes etc.”
Take us through your typical work day as a Building Control Surveyor in Bristol
“It depends what I have on but generally I like to get out on site and get my visits done as soon as possible after checking my emails!
It’s then a case of getting back to do plan checking and making sure all my admin tasks are being actioned such as registering new applications and providing quotes to our clients. Its full on!”
Describe what a successful partnership between yourself and your client looks like
“It’s simple really, it’s all about the communication between us, but this must be from both sides, along with trying to turn round enquiries as soon as you can!
The best partnerships are when the client engages with us early on and knows what information we need to undertake our task. Its then easier for us to get back to them promptly and we both know if there are any potential problems that need addressing!”
Tell us about the types of projects you have worked on in your area
“I have covered all types of domestic schemes from simple knock throughs to housing sites.
I have also worked on many types of flats/schools/shops/office fit outs/industrial units and large storage units.
I am currently also working on a hotel/pavilion and villas in Carbis Bay Cornwall which is exciting.”
Tell us about you, what do you get up to outside of work?
“I like most sports – particularly watching them, I attempt to play golf (but I am still yet to understand it) and enjoy exercise (going for a run, on a bike etc).
I also have a love for all things science fiction and space related. I recently bought myself a telescope and want to get into astronomy but it’s a struggle staying up late enough!
Otherwise most of my life revolves around my two little girls and keeping them entertained!”
We hope you enjoyed getting to know Richard, you can contact him about your upcoming projects on richard.ferris@cookbrown.co.uk or 01275 848228.
