Lea Hough Chartered Surveyors

20/10/2026

🏫 Waiting for the guidance doesn't mean waiting to prepare.

With the next CIF funding round expected to open soon, now is the ideal time for schools to review their estate, identify priority projects and start building the evidence needed to support future applications.

Having helped schools secure more than £92 million in CIF funding, we've seen first-hand how valuable early preparation can be.

Read our latest article to find out what schools can be doing now ahead of the next funding round: https://www.leahough.co.uk/latest-news/cif-funding-2027-28-how-schools-can-prepare-for-the-next-funding-round/

16/10/2026

Most people never see the heating infrastructure that keeps a school running.

But when problems start to emerge, it quickly becomes one of the most important parts of the building.

We're delighted to have helped secure funding for a heating infrastructure upgrade at Keswick School, supporting the replacement of ageing systems and helping to ensure reliable heating and hot water provision for years to come.

From preparing the successful CIF application through to managing the delivery of the works, our team supported the project every step of the way.

Find out more about the project: https://www.leahough.co.uk/latest-projects/condition-improvement-funding-cif-secured-for-heating-infrastructure-upgrade-at-keswick-school/

14/10/2026

What if your business premises could play a part in your retirement plans?

It's something many business owners don't realise, but in some circumstances, your pension can be used to purchase the commercial property your business operates from.

While it's not the right option for everyone, it can be a useful way to combine business and retirement planning, helping you make the most of an asset you're already familiar with.

We've put together a simple guide explaining how it works and what you need to consider.

📖 Read the full article here:

For many Lancashire and Greater Manchester business owners, commercial property is one of their most valuable assets. What is less widely understood is that certain pension arrangements can be used to purchase and hold commercial property, including the premises from which a business operates. Self-...

12/10/2026

🍂 It's been another busy few months at Lea Hough!

As we head into autumn, we're taking the opportunity to look back at some of the projects, achievements and company news that have shaped the last quarter.

Thank you to our clients, contractors and project partners who have been part of it.

Read more:

As Autumn arrives and we move into the final quarter of 2026, it has been another productive period for Lea Hough Chartered Surveyors. From school building projects and residential property valuations to commercial surveying instructions and planning consultancy services, our team has continued to s...

09/10/2026

What a great evening at the Endeavour Learning Trust Awards 2026! 🎉

As the Trust's retained Building Consultants for over 10 years, we were proud to sponsor the event and celebrate the achievements of staff and students across its schools. It was also a pleasure for our Partner, Michael Harrison, to present the People Centred Award. 👏

Congratulations to all the winners and nominees on their well-deserved recognition!

Read more: https://www.leahough.co.uk/latest-news/celebrating-success-at-the-endeavour-learning-trust-awards-2026/

07/10/2026

🏫 We're pleased to have supported Haveley Hey Community School with a successful CIF-funded heating system upgrade.

The project involved replacing ageing plant equipment, installing new BMS controls and improving the overall reliability of the school's heating system, creating a more comfortable learning environment for pupils and staff.

It's great to see investment in school buildings delivering long-term benefits for the whole school community, and we're delighted to have helped deliver these improvements for pupils and staff.

Read more about the project here: 👇

Lea Hough successfully supported Haveley Hey Community School in Wythenshawe, Manchester, in securing Condition Improvement Funding (CIF) for a major heating replacement project within the school's Bridge Building, which provides specialist SEND provision. The school forms part of the Children of Su...

05/10/2026

🏆 A fantastic result for QEGS Blackburn Academy Trust!

We're proud to have helped the trust secure funding for all 4 of its CIF applications, achieving a 100% success rate.

With CIF funding becoming increasingly competitive, a successful application requires strong technical evidence, careful planning and a clear understanding of the funding criteria. Our Building Surveying team was delighted to support the trust throughout the process.

Congratulations to everyone involved in achieving this excellent outcome.

📖 Read the full project story here: https://www.leahough.co.uk/latest-projects/qegs-blackburn-academy-trust-achieved-exceptional-4-out-of-4-cif-funding-success/

Thinking about a future CIF bid? We'd be happy to have a chat.

01/10/2026

🏡 Buying a home? Even a well-presented property can have hidden defects.

Issues such as damp, roof problems, structural movement and timber decay aren't always obvious during a viewing, but they could lead to costly repairs once you've moved in.

A RICS Level 2 Home Survey provides an independent assessment of a property's condition, helping you identify potential issues before committing to one of the biggest purchases you'll ever make.

For many homebuyers, it's a small investment that provides valuable peace of mind and could save thousands in unexpected repair costs.

Find out what's included and whether a Level 2 Survey is right for your purchase:

When considering purchasing a home, buyers will often be aware of the need to have the condition of the property investigated. But what survey is suitable for the property involved and what are the options? Here, we provide some insight into the Level 2 RICS Home Survey Report and the types of prope...

29/09/2026

With the next CIF funding round approaching, we've been reflecting on the success of the 2026/27 round and the schools we're proud to support.

We're delighted to have helped a number of North West schools secure funding for essential improvement projects, with many now complete and others well underway.

It's fantastic to see these investments making a real difference to school buildings and learning environments for pupils and staff.

Read more about the successful funding round below

Lea Hough Chartered Surveyors is celebrating another highly successful year in the Condition Improvement Fund (CIF) programme, having helped schools across the North West secure vital funding for essential building improvement projects. The Department for Education recently announced the outcome of....

24/09/2026

📢 Recent Projects

We've recently completed a range of exciting projects, including a nationwide stock condition survey programme for a care provider, the first phase of an expansion project at Little Lever School, and improvement works at Parkside Surgery in Burnley.

Find out more about these and other projects on our website: https://www.leahough.co.uk/about/latest-projects/