Reviews

Local planning department suddenly wanted a scoping bat survey in relation to an application I had made for planning permission for an extension. Martin phoned me within minutes of me making contact with the company via the website. Mark Best carried out the survey. Friendly, efficient, very knowledgable. From initial contact through to receiving the report just 7 days! Would recommend this service to anyone.

Very quick service, but the advertised price is not quite correct. Stuck with a requirement to have a CFSH Ecology assessment, I contacted Arbtech on the basis of cost alone. The website advertises one price, but actually the quote came back with another price. The website could benefit from explaining this in advance, as wasn’t aware that this was likely to occur. The work was promt, and the report issued. I’ve now gone to add some information from Recommended Native Trees and Shrubs list and I’m frustrated that some of the list isn’t split into trees, shrubs and hedges and recommended sizes not given. Correcting this would improve the final feeling of the service. Having said all of that, I would use the service again.

Robert Oates, Managing Director responds:

Hi Daren, Thank you for taking the time out to provide us with your valuable feedback – it really is appreciated. I’ll try to offer an explanation as to why you feel that you were quoted in writing differently to the advertized price on this site, for your Code for Sustainable Homes ecology report.

Essentially, we require a baseline ecological survey in order to produce your CfSH ecology report for credits ECO1-4. This is not something that is unique to you, or even Arbtech. It is true of every single sustainability ecological report that anyone in the UK produces, against the standards set out by the Building Research Establishment for either CfSH or BREEAM.

We do state this in the current pricing table which you can view by clicking on the “our surveys and pricing” tab, above, and choosing the “Code and BREEAM” option. The wording we use is in the table is “Requires ecology survey?” and “Yes”. Furthermore, normally, by the time the vast majority of planning applicants require a Code for Sustainable Homes ecology report, they have already had some sort of baseline ecological survey completed, which we can work from.

Finally, in our no obligation quotation we sent to you, we set out our price for the CfSH ecology report, which was exactly as we prescribed on this site, and included an option for you to have a baseline level of ecological survey done, at a separate and additional cost, should that be required. With all that said, I really do pride myself on the transparency of our pricing structure. So, while this is the first instance of someone’s expectations not being met, since we rolled out fixed prices advertized on the site, I agree with you that we could make it even more clear, just for the absolute avoidance of doubt. Our site is constantly being updated and having new information added to it, in an effort to provide our customers with the most accurate and up to date information we can possibly offer.

As part of the next major update, I will endeavour to make it unmistakably clear that CfSH and BREEAM ecology reports require a baseline level of ecological survey to have be undertaken. In regard to your comment about the species list not being broken down by tree, shrub and hedges; this is not something we do as standard and have not had any feedback that requests it previously, either from our customers, their Code Assessors or the BRE themselves.

It is a point I will bring up at the next team meeting for discussion. I am delighted to note that you were satisfied overall with our service – and most importantly, that you would in fact use us again. I really am pleased to hear this, as my colleagues and I work very hard to ensure that everyone receives the very highest standard of service we can possibly offer, faster than our competitors, and in most cases, a good deal cheaper to boot.

As a token of goodwill and to thank you for completing this review of our service, the next time you require a CfSH ecology report, if you come back to us, we’ll do it for you free of charge.

My best wishes, Rob.

…especially when most of our clients are always wanting these supporting surveys/reports done quickly. Arbtech are always available to run through anything with either ourselves or our clients.

Check for possible bat presence and “bat friendly” house. All for WDC.

Very friendly and helpful.

We were under pressure to provide an ecological survey to the planners in a short space of time, worsened by the Christmas period.

The survey was delivered promptly on time and for a reasonable price.

Punctual, efficient, personable service with quick turnaround of report.

A most skilled and knowledgable expert who executed a through and conclusive review of my property.

I would highly recommend Mark to anyone needing this service. He gives 110% to his job and nothing is too much trouble.

A credit to Arbtech. Ten out of ten… he was amazing!!

Very thorough and detailed report, carried out on time and efficiently, with great understanding of the situation of the hotel and its residents. We are exceptionally pleased with the results.

I requested a Phase 1 habitat survey plus bat survey for my residential self build planning application. When I went online to find out more about the companies providing this service it was rather daunting. However after submitting my request to Arbtech I was confident I had made the right choice. Excellent service I already have the Surveys the very next day. The ecologist Mark was extremely polite and committed to his work. He spent time telling me about wild life habitates. I enjoyed showing him over my garden/land, Thankyou.

Very Efficient Service.

I needed a specialist survey doing ASAP as our mortgage offer depended on one being carried out. I was originally put in contact with one arborist, who couldn’t fit the work in within our requested time, so passed us onto another arborist who he said he knew could fit us in: Arbtech. Rob contacted me with the relevant info, kept me informed via email and completed the report on time, with no hassle. A very professional firm who I would highly recommend.

Great professional survey carried out by an extremely knowledgeable surveyor. From initial enquiry to my laptop within three days. I would recommend Arbetch to anyone.

Matthew Middle carried out the reporting analysis following a tree survey initially undertaken by Rob Benzies.

Matthew was able to expertly advise on the best course of action for our development proposal to be put to the LPA. His expertise allowed us to adapt our scheme to ensure the impact of the proposals were minimised.

Thanks again, we will be using Arbtech for our subsequent surveys, consultation and reporting.

I needed a scoping bat survey to meet the requirements of a local planning authority within a tight timeframe. Jo Gregory carried out the survey within 24 hours of my formal request and issued a focused report early on the third working day following which enabled me to meet my deadline. Jo provided an excellent professional service in a friendly manner.

Suspected bat roost at Greaves House in Rochdale

Jo did an excellent job for me, I needed the survey carrying out almost immediately and the report turning around in next to no time and Jo managed to do both in addition to providing me with some additional information prior to an important meeting I had with my Client. I will definitely be using Arbtech again and will be recommending them to colleagues in the office.

Mark provided an excellent and thorough service to our clients during both the extended phase 1 and bat emergence surveys. His reports quickly follow his time on site allowing us to use the information.

Matthew Middle carried out our tree condition survey. He was both professional and polite and the report was very detailed. Matthew went out of his way to explain the various aspects of the survey to us and I would recommend him and Arbtech without a second thought.

Great service, very quick and highly recommended.

Urgent Bat survey was required. we have arranged a site visit in the morning and received the Bat Survey report before 5 pm. This was really quick comparing with other. I’m really happy with this. Very friendly and informative staff and Im hoping to work with Arbtech once more.

Very efficient, reliable professional service!

Quick turnaround and fast, efficient service.

I was very impressed with mark, polite and very professional in the survey, would not hesitate in recommending

Rapid turnaround in achieving the quality of report as required by the South Downs National Park. Knowledgable, quick and friendly.

Mark carried out a domestic bat survey on a cottage we would like to develop. This was for planning purposes.

Mark was a pleasure to work with. He was informative and knowledgeable and I would highly recommend him. His reports were produced quickly and efficiently. An excellent service.

My second contact with specialists from Arbtech and yet again a friendly and knowledgeable service. Highly recommended.

Excellent communications and service received from Arbtech during the two bat surveys conducted by Martin.

Report landed on my desk at 1pm the next day.

Highly recommended and will be using again.

Friendly, flexible, efficient and knowledgable. Also, very competetive rates.

Thank you Arbtech for taking it in your stride to complete a survey within the time constraint we had. Mark, our dedicated surveyor, was very pleasant and provided an excellent service along with good communication. He completed his work efficiently and we received the report the next day.

A job well done – keep up the good work!

Excellent service.  Will use again.

Impressed with the company’s efficency in organising a bat survey and advice before employing Arbtech. Mark Best was appointed our surveyor and as a face of the company he was both polite and his knowledge of bats educated me. If Arbtech read this message — get Mark a new batmobile!!!!

Thanks for your hard work and speedy response. Survey & Report were done within a few days of instructing Martin allowing us to issue to Council quickly. The report was in depth and honest, with lots of photographs taken pointing out areas of interest which helped.

Simon was very pleasant and made the survey an interesting and informative experience. The report came through promptly as promised and was very comprehensive with relevant pictures, and made an impressive document to forward to the planning authority. Many thanks to all involved at Arbtech, and would certainly recommend the company for this and therefore other surveys. Website also excellent.

Matt was extremely helpful and professional and responded very quickly to my queries regarding some issues I have with some trees adjacent to my property. His advice was clear and concise and I’m very grateful for his help. Arbtech carried out a Tree report, Method statement and tree protection plan for our planning application. I highly recommend Arbtech to anyone needing advice or reports as they were efficient and answered all my questions (and i had a lot!) regarding the tree root issues I had and the effects on my extension.

Very considerate, valued service, very professional, Thank you.

Simon was very professional and polite throughout. Our architect mentioned we may need a bat survey for planning so I looked on the internet and found arbtech, I completed a form, emailed it back and that evening had a phone call from Simon who booked the survey for the following evening! Simon arrived carried out a thorough survey and said the report would be in on the Monday and it was! I Can not fault the service that was provided for us.

Planning application in North Wales for 4 executive homes starting at £289,000. Jo Gregory and her colleagues were extremely proactive and satisfied the every whim of the local council’s ecology officer who is not exactly on my Christmas card list!! I highly recommend Arbtech to anyone in a similar position to me. My bat survey report came a day earlier than the deadline I gave them, which is great.

The only downside to all of this was the cost of all the surveys demanded by the council, which was more than I originally expected. I am all for protecting our precious British wildlife, but the system seems to have snowballed to the point where one cannot do anything these days without jumping through arbitrary hoops set out by a council busy body.

Jo was brilliant. She kept me constantly informed and was punctual, friendly and handled the local council ecologists increasingly bizzare requests on my behalf. I genuinely felt she had my best interests at heart at all times, which was very comforting as the process was starting to get quite costly.

Tree report, foundation, road & construction plans plus tree survey and method statement required due to large TPO trees on site. Planning required for building 2 new houses, report required due to delicate situation with trees with preservation orders.

Received report the in 24 hours! Fantastic service.

Our architect mentioned we might need a bat survey! I looked on the internet and found Arbtech, the reviews looked good so I emailed them and a booking form was sent immediately. I completed the form and sent it back and that evening Simon Pidgeon rang me and booked the survey for the following eveing. Simon was very polite and professional throughout and carried out a thorough survey and told us the report would be with us by Monday which it was! Fantastic service can not fault it at all. Thank you Simon

David Garrick, Undertook a comprehensive woodland condition survey of 3 woodlands which enabled me to make an informed decision on the purchase of the wood land. The report supported my valuation. Of particular note David full understood my expected outcome and worked with me. Seldom have I enjoyed such a good working relation ship with a consultant.

A good, reliable service. Would definitely use for bat surveys again. Very well, provided a good and clear report to submit to our local planning departmant.

Our council asked my architect for a bat survey and ecological report for some land we are looking to get planning permission at to build four houses. Mark Best e-mailed me straight away to say he would be coming out the very next day, and we had our report within that same week. I can highly recommend Arbtech Consulting as a professional company that are easy to deal with and very quick.

Mark was a very nice man and clearly knows all there is about bats and local ecology in Northants. He was polite and thorough at our site and phoned ahead to say he would be delayed by traffic. Overall I am very impressed and have no hesitation in recommending him.

I am a Wates QS and was tasked with procuring a bat survey for 2 schools for our projects in Surrey. I have to say that rarely have I come across such a responsive and professional organization as Martin’s team at Arbtech. Competitive prices are married to a high level of efficiency and service.

Martin was first rate. Our surveys were undertaken promptly and our report came back before one other firm even quoted to us!

I am an architect and designer for residential properties in north and west London. I was especially impressed with the fats turnaround and practical advice given by Matthew and Martin throughout our engagement. I will seek quotations from Arbtech again in the future on projects that require similar documents for planning.

Following a requirement for a Phase 1 Habitat Survey on a proposed site for a new cemetery we contacted Arbtech. Very impressed with the arrangements and survey conducted with a couple of week’s notice. Survey report provided on the same day as the survey was conducted which was excellent. Much appreciated.

After the Council requested that we check the house roofs for the presence of bats, Arbtech undertook a scoping bat survey. The survey was arranged and conducted within days of the request and the report was provided within hours of the survey completion. A fast efficient service conducted by pleasant, informative people.

The team at Arbtech were as efficient and professional as they were polite and courteous. My tree survey seemed a little daunting at first but these guys made it painless. Really impressed with my reports and I would certainly recommend them to anyone needing any work of this nature completed. Top company, top people!