Every restoration project on a listed or period building benefits from an accurate assessment of conditions on site before materials are ordered or works are specified. At Tuscan Foundry, we offer chargeable site visits and ground surveys as part of our conservation project support service — providing the information needed to specify correctly and avoid costly errors.

What a Site Visit Covers

A Tuscan Foundry site visit is carried out by one of our historic buildings advisors. During the visit we will:

For complex projects — particularly those involving copy casting, bespoke profiles, or buildings with restricted access — a site visit is strongly recommended before any order is placed. It significantly reduces the risk of misspecification and ensures that the delivered products will fit and perform correctly.

Ground Surveys for Listed Buildings

A ground survey assesses what can be seen and measured from ground level or safe working positions. This covers the lower sections of a rainwater system, outlet positions, shoe locations, and drainage connections, and provides useful baseline condition information for quinquennial inspections and maintenance planning.

For high-level areas — particularly on churches, large country houses, and multi-storey heritage buildings — a ground survey is often combined with an aerial platform survey using our Niftylift Cherry Picker, which allows close access to gutters, hoppers, and downpipes at height.

Accurate Estimating and Cost Planning

Site visits also support accurate cost planning. Our estimators use site-gathered measurements and photographs to provide detailed, reliable quotations that account for actual conditions rather than assumed ones. This reduces the likelihood of variations during a project and supports the budgeting and tendering process for conservation works.

Bespoke and Copy Casting Support

Where the existing rainwater system includes non-standard or original profiles that are no longer in general production, a site visit allows us to gather the measurements and photographic reference needed to produce accurate patterns for copy casting. This service is particularly valuable for listed building projects where like-for-like replacement is required by the consent conditions.

To discuss a site visit or ground survey for your project, call 0333 987 4452 or visit the Surveys & Visits section of tuscanfoundry.com.