ARC Consultants Ltd

ARC Consultants, RICS-regulated building consultancy in Leicester

ARC Consultants Ltd is a niche and independent practice of RICS-regulated Chartered Building Professionals based in Leicester. It provides property advice to clients in Leicester and across Leicestershire, including towns such as Loughborough, Wigston, Oadby, Blaby, Lutterworth and Market Harborough, as well as nearby areas of Northamptonshire, Coventry, Rugby and South Nottinghamshire. The firm presents itself as an alternative to large volume companies, with clear reports and no unnecessary recommendations.

HomeBuyer Surveys and Building Surveys

The company carries out all three levels of RICS HomeBuyer Surveys in Leicester, Leicestershire and surrounding areas, with quick turnaround times and no unsolicited additional services. The team states it has over 25 years of experience in domestic dwellings and local knowledge of common issues in properties in the area, from 1930s semis to modern developments.

• Level 1 (formerly Condition Report): a brief assessment of the property's condition, intended for conventional or modern properties in reasonable condition.
• Level 2: the most common report; it provides a clear assessment of the property, highlights issues that may require action and is based on a visual inspection of reasonably accessible areas. It does not analyse structural integrity in detail and is offered without a valuation.
• Level 3 (Full Building Survey): in addition to the homebuyer report, it includes a comprehensive assessment of the structure and condition of the property, with estimated costs for necessary repairs. It is recommended for old, run-down or large properties, or where significant works are planned.

The firm states that it delivers the report within 24-48 hours and offers a same-day call with the surveyor on the day of the inspection, as well as a post-report consultation. It emphasises that it is not a volume-driven company, that it does not use call centres or generic reports and that the client speaks directly to a qualified surveyor.

Building defects and subsidence

ARC Consultants advises on identifying defects such as damp, cracks in walls or ceilings and other issues. On subsidence, it explains that ground movement beneath the foundations can cause structural movement and that, in the case of diagonal tapering cracks, internally or externally, the cause must be determined and a report issued. If subsidence is confirmed, the report can be forwarded to the insurer for review and possible acceptance of the claim, subject to the applicable excess; the cost of the report usually forms part of the claim. The company states it has over 25 years of experience in this type of case.

Repairs and insurance claims

The team has worked for years in the insurance sector and directly for insurers, which has given it an understanding of the reconstruction processes covered by policies for risks such as subsidence, fire, flood or escape of water. ARC Consultants differs from claims handlers who impose their own suppliers and prefers to work alongside the insurer and its appointed suppliers, including adjusters, panel surveyors and approved contractors, to avoid delays and protracted discussions. It offers both one-off advice and ongoing support during the reinstatement process.

Clients and scope of service

According to its own presentation, the firm's clients include local authorities, private companies, individuals, insurers and adjusters. Its activity focuses on property and building advice, with particular attention to home buying and resolving building defects and insurance claims.

Location and contact

Hawthorne House, 17a Hawthorne Drive, Leicester, LE5 6DL · Email: info@arcconsult.co.uk