Cotterell Real Estate Advisory
Crea(te) your habitat
We provide bespoke advice to the residential real estate sector in Switzerland, France and the United Kingdom. Whether it be on acquisition, occupation and maintenance, or at disposal.
We combine broad continental knowledge of residential property to help clients unlock value at every step of the real estate journey, whether buying, selling, or investing. Buying a home is often the most important purchase of our lives. But, unlike most other purchases, there is no money-back guarantee or return policy if you later find out that it does not live up to your expectations. Were you to buy a 40-year old car, you would have a mechanic check it over for you, houses can provide an even greater array of disappointments when not correctly assessed at the outset. We take great pride in navigating our clients around these issues, leaving more time to focus on what’s important.
Building Surveying Services
Pre-purchase surveys
Our building condition surveys provide all the facts you need before you buy. We'll visit and assess your chosen property, providing an impartial, jargon-free, professional report with technical and practical advice throughout. Choose from a number of comprehensive report formats to suit your needs and budget.
​Our pre-purchase surveys cover the main property, plus any outbuildings or swimming pools. Along with your written report, we offer a complete photographic record and fire/rebuild valuation, should this be a requirement.
​We'll assess the property's condition, quality and longevity of renovations, access, security, and other key areas, as well as a technical analysis of any diagnostic reports provided.
You'll also receive indicative cost estimates for defects and any recommended upgrades, alterations, conversions or building works, so you don’t face any financial surprises. Contact us to discuss your project.
New-build advice
When purchasing a new-build or recently renovated house or apartment, there is often an expectation of perfection. In reality this is often not what is presented by the developer, which is where we can help.
We have inspected countless new-build homes and worked tirelessly with developers through a snagging process to ensure that everybody can be proud of the new home provided.
We have seen countless issues over time, ranging from simple decorative snags, all the way to plumbing not functioning as intended…
Which is why it is crucial to have professional assistance in ensuring your new-build home lives up to expecations.
Contact us to discuss your project.
In
Defect diagnosis
So you’ve already bought your home?
Then perhaps you already know you have a problem, but what causes the issue, and how do you fix it?
We have advised countless clients over the years on issues such dampness, failing façades, leaking roofs and defective drainage.
Problems with the homes we live in can be exceptionally draining, but they need not be. With timely intervention, buildings can and should span generations. Contact us to discuss your project.
Private rental sector
Throughout our time in the real estate industry, we have worked with landlords across the spectrum of private rental accommodation.
We understand the requirements of this sector from all standpoints, be that investment, in occupation, or at disposal.
Our experience in this sector allows us to add value at all stages of the project life cycle, we have a particular specialism in ensuring new projects meet the standards required by the sector.
Contact us to discuss your project.
Let’s Keep In Touch
Ready to discuss your next move? Contact us today and let’s have a conversation about how we can help you with your new project.
Our Expertise
Adam Cotterell is a Chartered Building Surveyor of more than 15 years experience, with a track record of advising on residential property across the United Kingdom, France and now Switzerland. Originally from London he relocated to Lausanne in 2024 to pursue new goals in the real estate sector. Adam has worked on buildings from brand new-builds of hundreds of apartments right down to one-off period properties in some cases close to 300 years old. He brings a concise yet thorough outlook to the advice he provides his clients, and prides himself on the ability to cut through the noise, and focus on what really matters: Does this house work for you?
Latest News
Lakeside paradise
We recently inspected this fantastic lakeside apartment on the shores of Lac Leman. While well presented we were able to identify various windows in need of overhaul, and an extract fan in the kitchen that had been installed incorrectly, which overtime would have led to problematic condensation occuring.
Dry rot in the south of France?
Our client had been provided with their technical dossier of information on this maison village, and passed to us for review. After noticing an unusual reference to dry rot (for a property constructed mostly from masonry and concrete), we arranged an inspection to establish if there was indeed an issue. Fortunately there was not and the client was able to proceed with the purchase without delay.
Emergency roof repairs in London
Just days before our client was due to have new tenants move in the roof leaked, baffled by an array of quotes from contractors to resolve the issue we were able to specify the appropriate works, then supervise a timely completion to avoid delaying the move in.
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