Testimonials
Shields Longden and Co
is a firm of Chartered Building Surveyors carrying out a broad range of
residential and commercial work, principally in Oxfordshire and London.
We are proud to display some extracts from the many thank you notes and
testimonials from our residential and commercial clients.
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from LinkedIn
"We recently had the pleasure of employing the services commercial property
surveyor Jonathan Longden of
Shields Longden
.
If you need a firm of professionals to help with your commercial property deal
then I would thoroughly recommend these chaps.
1st class service and fantastic attention to detail
"
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... Dear Jonathan
Many thanks for your time and advice today. It is very much appreciated.
I will follow up with A****** and mention your referral.
The things to think about list is also great help. It is so refreshing to have this kind of support offered freely and warmly.
I shall very much bear this in mind when we are next in need of a survey or if anyone asks us for a referral. ...
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I wanted to let you know that the trial was last week and the Judge decided in our favor. He granted us the maximum possible amount for a small claim so he left no doubt that the builder deserved to be punished.
To be honest, this is a moral win and the amount they need to pay (see if they finally pay) is in my opinion nowhere near the damage they have caused, but anyway we should celebrate it.
Your report was essential for our Claim, so I would like to thank you for your impartiality and knowledge about court proceedings.
Many thanks also for assisting us in all our queries.
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... My grateful thanks for your offer of a further telephone call, so rarely do we enjoy such support and understanding of our local situation - ...
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Thanks very much for the survey and supplemental information. I've read through everything and it's all extremely informative and helpful. I particularly appreciated the extra information on heat pumps and batteries. If we end up installing this I will let you know how we get on!
Thanks again for the excellent service and taking the time to talk me through the issues which was much appreciated and provided reassurance during the otherwise stressful process of buying a house.
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... In connection with a proposed buy to let and desktop advice prior to survey,
*** contacted me this morning to say they had pulled out.
She really appreciated your advice, which saved them abortive costs ...
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... In relation to an Expert Witness Determination - What an incredible result! I admit that I wasn't expecting it to go so convincingly in our favour.
Jonathan, the evidence and arguments you presented must have been far more convincing - fantastic work!
Experience suggests that ***** will still do everything they can to continue to drag this out, but this is an enormous leap forward...
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Hi Jonathan,
Thank you for your reply, I hope things settle for you soon, with all considered and can only imagine what a difficult time this is.
Further to my last email the sale has now fallen through, as you were aware there were too many red flags! I will be sure to contact you again if and when I find new premises.
I have sent a small gift to you as thanks for your time and advice, honestly you really do not know how valuable that conversation was and I am most grateful!
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...
Your advice below was 100% adhered to and I retracted the offer for the seller
to fix the roof and negotiated money off the asking price.
Not as much as I would have liked but I weighed it all up and decided it was
doable and what I wanted to do. Thank you for advice, honestly was
indispensable!
...
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Hi Jonathan,
that is fair, thanks very much.
I will get this paid in the next day or so,
Thanks again for saving me from a disaster
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We were very pleased with the survey so if we need any similar services in the
future we will definitely get in touch.
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Hi Jonathan,
Thank you so much for your help. Once the planning has come through I will get in touch and get it done with you if that is ok?
Given how incredibly honest and helpful you have been (I am certain that *** feels the same) we will definitely engage you for all of our surveying in the future.
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Thank you so much for the thorough report! It's very helpful and informative. I
even found it entertaining to read, and it has inspired me to get interested in
the history of building.
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Hi Jonathan,
Many thanks for this meticulous report.
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Also we wanted to say a big thank you, not only for the time taken to write up
the report, but especially for all the time you gave us on Friday to talk
through everything in such detail. We really appreciated your candour,
impartiality and expertise and found it extremely helpful, even if what you
were telling us was not what we were hoping to hear.
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K T
8 September 2019
Fast response to our call. Professional assessment, obvious experience in the field.
Gave us the reassurance we needed. Clear & comprehensive report with recommendations & advice. Fair price
Reviewed on Google Maps
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Fee was £900.00 plus vat....... and he got £40,000.00 off the
asking price which was originally £478,000.00 and in my view that was a
good buy at that price.
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Theodore Birks
26 February 2019
Excellent service. Knowledgeable and excellent service regarding a ‘party wall’.
Survey and documentation completed within days. No hesitation to recommend
Reviewed on Google Maps
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... extremely courteous, professional and knowledgeable
regarding two greatly differing properties. Their expertise and advice helped
me make realistic and informed decisions about whether to proceed with the
purchases. They were extremely generous with their time, with explaining the
survey findings or with general property information, which was invaluable. I
would not hesitate to recommend them and would return to them in any future
need for a survey.
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James Grady
27 May 2018
Leys Longden got our peculiar planning permission through very professionally and handled the negotiations effectively.
We've just had our Building Reg drawings looked at by prospective buildings and they were very complimentary of the detail and clarity.
Highly recommended.
Reviewed on Google Maps
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Hello Jonathan,
Thank you for sending through the report, which I have now read through. It's
very comprehensive and most useful. Indeed you have exceeded our expectations.
My husband has yet to read it through, but once we have both had the
opportunity to digest it fully we may take up your offer and pose some queries
to discuss with you should your offer remain extant.
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Jonathan,
Many thanks indeed for this summary of possible alterations, and what they would involve.
They confirm our view that, without your timely advice to reconsider, we would have made a very costly mistake in buying this property.
For this we are extremely grateful to you.
J.
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We finally got our completion certificate from Vale of White horse Building
Control this afternoon.
It must be said that this achievement is entirely down to tireless
efforts and persistent approach. Throughout this whole debacle, ShieldsLongden has
worked closely with building control to deflect the pressure from us and devise
sensible solutions, used his amazing expertise to guide our trades people and
kept us fully informed.
As a result, we just accepted an asking-price offer on our house meaning we can
stick with our moving timetable ; something I would never have believed
possible back in September.
I just wanted to say thank you for sending ** our way and hope we can work
with him again in the future
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Dear Jonathan,
Thank you for this: I've gone through it and it is all very clear. I'll be speaking to the agent tomorrow about the purchase price.
As ever, thank you for your assistance with this.
Many thanks
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We would like to mention how grateful we have been for your swift and
professional service. We found the report to be very clear, thorough and
informative.
If needed we will certainly be using your services again in future and will
recommend you to others who enquire.
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So in terms of your efforts specifically with this I think you are done!
You have flagged it to us, so it is now up to us to take that board moving forward.
So job done.
Thanks Jonathan!
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Please pass on my thanks for a very clear, thorough and useful report.
I now have a high degree of confidence that I understand the condition and
merits of the property which is great.
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You're our hero - thanks! .... Thanks again for going over this in so much detail with me the other day.
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Fast response to our call. Professional assessment, obvious experience in the
field. Gave us the reassurance we needed. Clear & comprehensive report with
recommendations & advice. Fair price
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Very grateful to Mr Jonathan Longden in helping us interpret some search
results relating to subsidence risk. Very courteous, informative and helpful.
Thank you for the time!
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I have received and read the report. It's very comprehensive and thorough. In
fact I am so impressed, it's excellent and will be used as a marker for all
issues...
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Many thanks for the recommendations. Thanks again for the excellent service.
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thanks Jonathan, will get that settled on Friday
thank you for working so hard to get the report completed so swiftly, it is
sincerely appreciated
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Many thanks for sending through the report last week. It was a very detailed
report, and will be very useful for us for keeping the property in good
condition in the years to come.
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Many thanks for this information. I think at this time the only thing we are
going to request that ******
The rest of the points / issues can be carried out by the relevant tradesmen
once we are in and start sifting through each room.
I'm really impressed with your thoroughness.
Many thanks
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Jonathan
Just to say, a good job done and many thanks for dealing with this in the tight
timescales, all appreciated.
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Thank you for an excellent service. Quick, extremely efficient and reasonable
fee, much appreciated.
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By the way, S** was very impressed with you, and commented she'd use you for
her next house buy.
We're very happy too but solicitors see many more surveys than I do!
Thanks
M**
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Excellent service. Knowledgeable and excellent service regarding a party wall.
Survey and documentation completed within days. No hesitation to recommend.
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Thank you so much for your help in this matter and I only wish I had found your
services sooner.
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Many thanks for the report, it is truly comprehensive and we are very grateful
to you for your recommendations on the information we should obtain from our
solicitor and also for your advice on the possible structural problems that may
arise in the future.
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Shields Longden got our peculiar planning permission through very professionally
and handled the negotiations effectively. We've just had our Building Reg
drawings looked at by prospective buildings and they were very complimentary of
the detail and clarity. Highly recommended.
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summary feedback
:-
Investment of £1,320.00 on our fees (inc vat) and he got £10,000.00
off.
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Thanks to you and your survey we re -negotiated the cost down by £25,000
to reflect the amount of tanking that is required in the basement/hall.
Really pleased with that and would definitely recommend and use your services
again.
Thanks again.
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Thank you for the very detailed report. My solicitor and I were very impressed
by your attention to detail and the thoroughness of its contents.
Sadly, I had to take the unavoidable decision to withdraw from the purchase.
It was a pleasure talking to you. Should I have the good fortune of
finding another property in the same area - I shall contact you again.
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Thank you for the report, which I will look at today.
We remain grateful for the quick turnaround and professionalism. When
we arranged the survey, I said I would reciprocate by paying the
invoice promptly....
...I might have the odd question after I have reviewed the report, but in the
interim please accept our sincere thanks for the support given to us by
Shields Longden
.
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Thank you
so
much for doing the
impressive
and
helpful survey
on **** so swiftly
and
for highlighting the upstairs room issue (amongst others).
I am
truly grateful for your efforts
and for the chat after, when I had received your executive summary.
with best wishes
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Thank you for the latest drawings ! ....
.... Please
congratulate
Peter Richardson on his amazing draftsmanship, we have perused them long and
hard and they are an
absolute work of art
...
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I can say that it is probably the best £1,000 we have spent.
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... Everything was examined and explained thoroughly on the survey report in
layman's language
with
photographic proof
. I understood everything, also the report was very interesting to read and I
learnt a lot.
Every email query sent has been replied to
promptly
and
professionally
with
good advice and guidance
as to the next step to take in the process of renovation.
You suggested various tradesman who have all been
reliable
and answered any questions I have asked. ( haven't seen the actual work yet
but am confident that it will be well done ).
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Thank you for the report
it is
very comprehensive
.
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That provides
comfort and perspective
. I'll go ahead
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Would I still be able to use you for a
survey
on any other property which I put an offer in for (hopefully very soon) I am
keen to give you as much business as possible as you have been
extremely helpful
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from
Local Surveyors Direct website
Promptness of response :
Brilliant service
Quality of service :
Our survey was exceptionally good, detailed clear and probably the best survey
I have ever commissioned.
Value for money :
Not the cheapest, but well worth every penny, especially when ultimately you
are spending a large sum on purchasing a property.
Professionalism :
Very nice people polite and very clear explanations to all of our questions
Building Surveys. Mrs W, Stow-on-the-Wold, November 2018.
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Dear Jonathan
**** were so
grateful
for your time and kindness this afternoon, talking over the merits of ****
Cottage.
I think we've been househunting for so long that a project like this which
looked halfway hopeful really fired us up, so it was really good that you could
talk
good sense
to us about the financial implications!
Hoping that we'll find something viable in the near future and that we can come
back to you for your
professional
help.
With our thanks again
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Hi Jonathan,
Thank you
for your efforts on this...
... was very
complimentary about your service
...
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I cannot describe the relief and closing of a chapter.
I am so very grateful to you for
your steady and steadfast advice
which I have
relied on
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Party Wall Dispute in Oxford
...a friend of ours, has shown me your report on his dispute... (I am not
involved in the case except as a friend). I just can't resist telling you that
I find your report
brilliant
,
very expert
,
fair
,
clear
,
well written
,
thorough
and altogether a
most impressive piece of work
. I just wanted you to know.
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Your
advice
has been much appreciated -
analysis
,
tact
and
persistence
all
spot on
! Thank you for your help throughout.
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Thank you
for your e-mail. That is a fine piece of work and should be
valuable
to the tenant.
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I am just writing to thank you for your
time and advice
on Monday and Wednesday, this week, which you gave
kindly and professionally
.
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Hi Jonathan,
Wow,
what a lot of areas you covered
! A very big thank you for persevering with us this past year to get to this
point!
Fingers crossed the sale goes through ok from here.
I will let you know what the findings are next week on the gas pipe.
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Yes thanks and I have acted on many of your
recommendations
eg replacing skylight, tearing ivy off walls, replacing fences and putting in
a new driveway and soakaway, fixing chimney etc. Next spring the moss on the
roof has to go too.
Worth having a Building survey
!
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As I mentioned, the vendor refused to agree to a retention. I thought long and
hard, but decided to go ahead with the purchase anyway and hope for the best.
Say a little prayer! I think this
house and location
are a bit different, which is why I am going ahead. With some luck, I will
find someone who is as
good
a builder as you are a
surveryor
, and he or she can work their way through big and small issues with the
property.
With best regards and
sincere appreciation
,
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Thanks for the report and all your efforts, we very much
appreciate the
prompt actions
and
full and informative report
... ...Best wishes to you all for the future and I 'm sure we use you again in
future and will
recommend your company
at every opportunity...
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Thank you so much for doing all of this. It has really
put our minds at rest
and as you say we now need to push it back to them
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Many thanks for the time and
significant thought
you have put to ****, the survey and more specifically our aspirations and
thoughts regarding the works, order of works and likely format of planning for
redevelopment
. Its all hugely
reassuring
having a
wise counsel
on such matters so close to the property...
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Thank you so much for your visit last Thursday to survey the roof, speak to the
'roofer', and
negotiate the outcome
- I really wasn't expecting that last bit! It was, I think, the best outcome I
could have reasonably expected. Whilst I would, of course, have liked a little
more it was really good to have you put things into
perspective
and provide the
sanity check
- it is (hopefully) now done with and preserving what remains of my sanity is
worth something in itself. I have already had one roofer view it to submit a
quotation so it should be all forwards from here. ... ...
...Many
thanks
again, and also for the kind words you said about the little house - with all
the
time and effort
that went into it they are always welcome. And you are only the second person
to
recognise
my English bonding - no second rate Flemish stuff for me!
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Hi Jonathan,
Many thanks for this - the
buyer accepted the report
(unsurprisingly!) and we are completing today, so thank you very much. I don't
know if you ever need referrals, but if you do I am
very happy
for you to use this:
'Jonathan was
incredibly helpful
on a complicated query,
very reassuring
throughout and tailored the report to our
exact requirements
meaning that the sale could proceed - thank you very much!'...
...Thanks for all your help.
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Many thanks for your email. We are
really pleased with the drawings
but just want to run them past our neighbours.
Other than that, is the next step to
submit them to planning
?
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Just a quick note to say a huge "Thank you" for the survey. I have read the
full report
through and have found it
useful
and
very helpful
.
Should we decided to do a loft conversion will certainly be back on the phone
to employ the services of Shields Longden again if that's ok.
Have
no hesitation in recommending
the company also.
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Many thanks for the second quotation for asbestos removal and the full copy of
your
survey report
both of which we have received.
We have settled your account on line but we shall certainly need to be in touch
with you again particularly in relation to any
report
about infestation and
costing
of any work required for the roof.(we have been in touch with both firms and
asked them to be in touch with both you and us and we have arranged with *****
that access to the house is permitted).
Thank you for your
excellent services
so far and we look forward to speaking to you again in the near future.
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A note of
sincere thanks
for your time during the week honestly,
truly appreciate
you providing the comfort of my TRIANGULAR beam at *********. You're a GEM.
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I just wanted to say many thanks for the
very comprehensive Survey
. The net result was that I managed to
negotiate £2,000 off the asking price
to help towards the cost of the new flat roof, which I'm happy with.
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Thanks again for this afternoon - the staff are
enthused by the project
.
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From our telecom today, I felt you were someone
I could have confidence in
, so thank you for accepting the job.
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Glad I found and used this site, we chose to use Shields Longden and are
very happy
with the service provided.
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... for the record we are extremely grateful for the
thoroughness
of your work - you are instrument in helping to avoid a complete disaster. 3rd
time lucky, we hope !
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Many thanks for your
prompt
and
polite
visit yesterday in connection with reinstatement valuation on my property...
...thank you for your kind attention... ...thanks for an
excellent
service...
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Please pass on our thanks for the
excellent
service and
advice
that you have given us. We are very grateful.
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Many thanks for forwarding these documents and also for talking to me on
Friday. I found it extremely
interesting
and you were
very helpful
.
Having spoken to friends who have done extensive
refurbs/loft conversions
over the weekend, it is clear that your rough guide as to how much the whole
project would cost was
more accurate
than my initial estimation/guess!
I put an offer in yesterday and if my offer is accepted and provided that *****
does not think that there is a conflict of interest, I will certainly
come back to you
.
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Thank you
so much for the Executive Summary and your
insightful
comments... ...Thank you very much for your
guidance
... ...would like to utilise your skills for a survey should we be lucky enough
to find something...
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Thanks SO much for today, specially at such
short notice
. I felt very rude to just say goodbye like that. I wanted to see K* on her own
to put in an offer - it was a bit
urgent
since there is another offer on the table as of today.
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...Jonathan, Thank you again, so much! I can't tell you what a relief it was
having you come in like Dr Who and save the day! I have
highly recommended
you to one of my bosses who is chair of governors... ...If you have second
thoughts about the low fee you charged us please let us know, as this kind of
peace of mind you have given us is invaluable...
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Dear Jonathan
I have just spent a long time looking at your
drawings
and they are an
answer
to a prayer!
Thank you
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Thank you for your email.
We have indeed also received the hard copy of the survey and were
very satisfied
.
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Thank you very much for your work helping
us find our way towards a sale. Your
advice and clear thoughts
were most helpful and
all the contractors you referred us to were very good, as well as pleasant and
easy to deal with.
Thank you again for your help and I hope if we find we need your services in
the future we may contact you again.
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Thank you for your survey, it has been most helpful. Without it I would not
have known the
exact points
that needed attention... ...with grateful thanks.
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We thank you for the
comprehensive
manner in which you have carried out the survey and your help over the phone.
The survey will be of great
assistance
in the coming months when we arrange for appropriate remedial work to be
carried out
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... as always the report was very
comprehensive
with a number of photos to show any relevant issues. It has enabled **** to go
nforward with the purchase knowing that there are some minor issues but these
will be sorted by the Sinking Fund that is in place. Thank you again, and I
look forward to
recommending
your work to all my clients needing your services...
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Please pass on my thanks for
help
&
advice
...
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...We plan to continue with our purchase but are now
confident
that armed with the
information
you have provided we can
significantly improve
the house. Thank you for your
patience
when
explaining
your findings...
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Morning Jonathan,
Just wanted to thank you for your time yesterday evening. I
much appreciated
hearing your thoughts especially re the coffee option.
We have agreed to rent the shop this morning so will be in touch re the
residential project.
Thanks again
.
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Thank you for your survey of the above property. I am very pleased that you
have
investigated
the items that were causing me concern and also for pointing out the really
good points about my future home. Your secretary has kindly said she will send
me a "basic" copy of your findings so that my solicitor can query anything that
needs
clarification
, the photographs will be particularly helpful... ...many thanks.
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Thanks again for such an
in-depth report
; we have shared the relevant parts with our solicitor for further
investigation and will be addressing the other recommendations once we're
settled in...
...Thank you for the summary and photos, it has highlighted a couple of issues
that we'd like to go back to the agent about (particularly the conservatory
roof) so it's been
really helpful
. We look forward to seeing the full report in due course and will be in touch
to chat through it...
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...Many thanks for your most
professional
survey...
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...I wanted to thank you for you open and candid comments, it really helped me
decide my appetite to do the work and the
revised offer
to reflect the work and inconvenience was not accepted...
...I have however found another property that I hope to put an offer on this
week and would be thrilled if you would
complete the survey
.
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...Thanks again for all your advice and help and rest assured you will be our
first point of call and
recommendation
for any further business...
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...Thank you very much for looking into the quotations for us. You've been a
great help
to us. In future, if we need any further advice on extensions, we'll
definitely think of you as our top choice...
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...Very many thanks for this - it is
extremely thorough
and helpful...
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...Many thanks for conducting the survey and producing the report so quickly.
We're very pleased with the
level of detail
and would have no hesitation in recommending you to others in the future.
The report is very clear and we discussed most of the contents on site...
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...thank you for the valuation report on the above property and for undertaking
it so
promptly
...
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...he said he spoke to a
delightful lady
who inspired
confidence
and a happy smile...
(refers to the company PA..)
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...and I were both hugely
impressed
with your work on this project...
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from LocalSurveyorsDirect.co.uk
"We have hired Jonathan Longden, and our case is proceeding. He has been
excellent
, and we'd be
happy to recommend
him."
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...It was a pleasure working with you.
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Jonathan,
You cannot be fairer in your approach; thank you for your
careful consideration
and for putting my mind at rest.
I will now recommend that we proceed without further delay.
We will take
your advice
in regard to the work that needs doing, what to keep an eye on and we will
certainly make the next door neighbour aware of the indirect damage their
garage wall is causing.
You have been
most alert
and
very helpful
; thank you
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I'd like to take this opportunity to thank you for your
continued support and service
you gave me within a very
tight timescale
. I will not hesitate to
recommend
your services in the future.
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It's
reassuring
to know that we have your
expertise
to call on should we need it.
With many thanks again
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I have been really
impressed
with your work and am
very grateful for the advice
you have given.
Thank you so much.
Cheers
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...Thanks for all your
advice
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... Thank you so much for all your help and
support throughout
the whole process, we could not have done it without you...
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...thank you for providiing the
survey and summary
...
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Thank you very much for this very
extensive report
. It will be extremely helpful to prioritise/organise renovations on the house
once we move in (fingers crossed).
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...many thanks for your
thorough and accurate
survey...
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...Finally, I shared your reports with my father, who has been a construction
director for a number of large building firms. He was very impressed with your
report, commenting that it was one of the best he's seen in a number of years.
So very well done, you are a
credit to the industry
. Once again many thanks for your support in these matters...
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Please pass on my thanks, we are
extremely pleased
with the survey and dealing with your company overall.
I had questions around the difference between a home buyers report and a proper
survey and this was
clearly explained
on my first call. You came to view the property
quickly
and I was
kept informed
throughout the entire process with dates and
initial high level report
and a follow up call.
Buying a house is stressful enough but this has been very easy, We would
certainly look to use you in the future and would
recommend your services
.
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... Jonathan. Thanks for your help on this
great result
! ...
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Thanks ever so much for that Jonathan, much pragmatic
wisdom
there!
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Thank you so much for the
valuation
, I will make payment asap.
Please pass on my thanks for doing the valuation so
quick
it's much
appreciated
.
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Jonathan
Thank you very much for sending the
Survey & Costed Schedule
.
Many thanks for all your
help and advice
.
We would
highly recommend
you to friends and colleagues.
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and from this site :-
localsurveyorsdirect.co.uk
Feedback on
Leys Longden & Co
5 stars
Promptness of response :
Excellent
Value for money
: Not the cheapest but well worth the little bit extra as
really approachable
and
good explanation of process and findings
- September 2015
The web site worked well and gave a
prompt response
. We have hired Jonathan Longden, and our case is proceeding.
He has been
excellent
, and we'd be
happy to recommend
him.
Quick response giving two addresses, one of whom e-mailed me within a day. We
were able to fix up an appointment soon.
The other supplier was more passive. I used
LeysLongden & Co
, all satisfactory.
Website worked well,
very useful and helpful
. I used
LeysLongden and Co
.
Very good service
, completely happy with them.
Glad I found and used this site, we chose to use Leys Longden and are
very happy with the service provided
.
The website worked very well. I spoke to a couple of the firms that
subsequently emailed me that I liked the sound of.
I asked Jonathan Longden of
Leys Longden
to do the work and was
pleased with the result
.
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