Guy Robertson

NAME: Guy Robertson
JOB: Trainee building surveyor
EMPLOYER: Bidwells
QUALIFICATION: BSc building surveying (part-time), Anglia Ruskin University

Since finishing my A levels, my employer has sponsored me through an HNC, part-time degree and now the APC. I began as an architectural technician and have moved into building surveying as I gained experience. I specialise in the refurbishment of historic buildings and have been working on the Cambridge University colleges for the last six years.

My role

A lot of compromise is needed to maintain the buildings’ characteristics while complying with modern health and safety legislation. I liaise with conservation officers and search for contractors who use traditional construction methods and materials. I am also responsible for contract administration, design, specifications and overseeing the works on site.

We try to maintain as much of the existing structure as possible.

We try to maintain as much of the existing structure as possible: for example, to repair a decaying window we would try to splice it with new timber, rather than replace it completely. Similarly, another of my projects is re-roofing one of Gonville & Caius College’s buildings, which was built over a hundred years ago and is a Grade II* listed building. We are looking at melting down the existing lead covering and re-using it to maintain the historic materials.

I like...

... being able to go inside historic buildings and areas that most people can only see from the outside.

The tough bit is...

... the pressure of resolving any issues with contractors and clients in time to meet tight deadlines.