Standing room only at Perth’s first Property Repair Seminar

Home owners and prospective owners of pre-1919 historic buildings packed in to the ball room of the Royal George Hotel earlier this month as Perth Solicitor’s Property Centre hosted Perth’s first ever property repair seminar. Solicitors, architects, estate agents and surveyors from across Perth and Kinross were also in attendance to hear building conservation industry professionals offer guidance and answer questions to a full room of around 70 people on topics ranging from organising comprehensive repairs to retaining and maintaining traditional windows. Buildings constructed before 1919 are full of traditional features that make them great places to live. Such character also brings specific needs and requirements when it comes to the maintenance and repair of historic buildings. The evening of short talks and Q&A was chaired by Perth and Kinross Heritage Trust and offered key introductory level guidance on how to maintain the condition and value of a historic property.

The seminar began with guidance talks from Simon Roberts from the Scottish Government, Annie Flint from Under One Roof and Colin Tennant from Historic Environment Scotland who introduced the audience to a wealth of online accessible information on maintaining and repairing historic homes. Specialist talks followed from Colin Tennant on the importance of stone matching, John McKinney, National Federation of Roofing Contractors, on roof repairs and John McRitchie, Perth College UHI, on traditional window maintenance. The evening was concluded by Sara Carruthers of Perth and Kinross Heritage Trust who offered examples of recent comprehensive repair projects, supported by the Perth City Heritage Fund, where home owners have put the theory into practice to great effect.

For those who missed the seminar but would like to know more, the slides can be downloaded from www.pkht.org.uk/information-advice/. Historic Environment Scotland’s excellent series of Inform guides, Short guides and Technical advice notes can be downloaded (see links), ordered in hard copy, or picked up for free from The Engine Shed in Stirling.

If you’re interested in learning more about matters concerning traditional building, we’re running a six part CPD programme in architectural conservation beginning in April 2018. More details can be found at: www.architcpd.eventbrite.co.uk.