Frequently asked questions
What to bring during the consultation and/or the inspection?
You don’t need to bring anything.
However, to get the most out of the consultation, it is recommended to provide technical documents related to the property, either in digital form or on paper. Examples include:
- Cadastral sketch
- Design visa
- Old designs
- Photos from the site, including from currently inaccessible or hidden areas
It is also useful to provide information about the year of construction and the dates of any major reconstructions.
What is needed for the preparation of a conceptual design with BoQ and estimated budget?
To prepare a conceptual design together with a bill of quantities and an estimated budget, it is recommended to provide technical documents such as:
- Cadastral sketch
- Design visa
- Old designs
- Photos from the site, including from currently inaccessible or hidden areas
Details about the year of construction and major reconstructions are also valuable for accurate planning.
What is needed for the preparation of a technical design?
The most important thing is to specify your ideas for the use of the future building and/or facility.
It is good to get a design visa. Prior to or within the technical design itself, a study must be made of the infrastructure of the site – road, electricity, water, sewer, district heating, gas, telephone, internet, etc. Geodetic survey and hydro geological report will be required.
What is the difference between a structural inspection and a structural investigation?
A structural inspection is a preliminary check. It usually involves:
- Reviewing the documentation for the site
- Visiting the property
- Examining the visible condition of the structure
- If needed, scanning for reinforcement
A structural investigation is much more detailed and is carried out when deeper verification is required. Its purpose is to check the strength and condition of hidden parts of the building’s structure. This process involves:
- Partially opening walls
- Drilling to reach the concrete, reinforcement, or steel elements
- Taking samples of these elements for testing in a laboratory
An inspection gives an overview, while an investigation provides verified technical data about the building’s actual structural performance.
What does the training program include?
The training program is developed on request, according to the client’s needs.
One possible program is “Historical and technical review of the main structural systems of buildings in Bulgaria”, which includes:
- 1890–1915 – brick load-bearing walls, wooden floors, Prussian vaults, wooden roofs
- 1915–1935 – brick load-bearing walls, reinforced concrete slabs, wooden roofs
- 1935–1960 – traditional reinforced concrete structures, wooden roofs
- 1960–1985 – modern reinforced concrete structures, prefabricated building systems
- 1985–2005 – antiseismic construction methods
- 2005–present – modern construction, beamless structures, Eurocode application, prefabricated systems
The training typically ends with questions, discussion of specific cases, and open dialogue.