Efficient maintenance of a property requires a reliable assessment for defects or inadequacies and a systematic method for dealing with them. This book provides the information you'll need for both. Starting with a holistic view, bringing together the two lives of a building -- the life of the construction and the life of the occupied property -- you'll be guided through the process from observation to execution. Throughout the specification process, all manner of issues face the surveyor, property manager or building engineer, from describing common defects to addressing energy efficiency and carbon emissions. In addition to these tasks the book also deals with: Guidance on equipment Prioritising works The practicalities of specification Building control Contract selection Health and safety Helping you navigate bureaucracy as well as tackling the practical challenges safely and effectively, this is a crucial guide for building engineers, surveyors, contractors and property managers.