Over the last few months, we are proud to have welcomed a number of fantastic new team members into a variety of roles and departments across Barker. Building Surveyor, Daniel Hurst is one of these new recruits, so we thought we’d catch up with him to find out how he’s settling in and learn a bit about his life. Have a read of our conversation below.
Hi Daniel! Tell us a bit about your professional/educational background
I started out as a science teacher. I was rapidly promoted to Head of Science and carried out some senior leadership roles.
I left teaching in 2013 to put my experience and skills in property development to the open market. I bought, renovated and extended a number of houses through a company which I set up and ran. This soon grew to offer a range of building services whilst I built a small team of specialist tradespeople. Quite early on I learned how to plaster and spent the best part of 10 years getting quite good at it! Then, I learned how to build brick and block cavity walls while on site, fix carpentry, undertake hot and cold water plumbing and extend heating systems.
Whilst running my company, I had to learn about building and planning regulations to better advise my clients on how to achieve the best value for their projects. My BSc (Hons) Degree was in Building Energy Management and I was increasingly being asked by clients how they could save energy in their homes. Due to this demand, I qualified as a Domestic Energy Assessor and an On-Construction Energy Assessor and added these to the services I was offering. I also grew a small loft insulation installation team through Trustmark and the Green Homes Grant Vouchers Scheme.
My company became quite in demand for building extensions, and I often passed a lot of potential business to local architects. I trained to use AutoCAD and Revit to broaden our range of services. After a couple of years, I realised that I was effectively carrying out design and specification work for my clients.
Following a Certificate Course, I signed up for an MSc in Building Surveying. This is an RICS Accredited master’s degree and takes place with distanced learning through the University of Northumbria.
What drew you to working at Barker?
I saw a synergy between the work of Barker and my skills in design and specification, energy assessments, on-site experience in construction and leadership and management of a small business.
I met Chris Barker on my journey to find a Chartered Surveyor who could help me with achieving Chartered Status so picked up some background about Barker. Barker is a well-known, established and respected business which I am proud to be a part of. The level of support with my training has been exceptional and I have more confidence in my success when I sit for my APC in the next couple of years.
With such a diverse range of professionals and a solid client base, I see many opportunities to grow and build a future together
Initially I spent the first month working my way through PIM and shadowing a more experienced surveyor who was carrying out site inspections, valuations of work, investigating and problem solving as issues arose on site. There is always plenty of diagnosis, prognosis and remedy to be had on conservation work!
During CIF Season I produced a number of new bids, including assisting with tender packages and drawings. I also work on the production of designs and specifications for tender. (NBS Chorus and AutoCAD come in handy here as do the user-friendly Barker templates). I also produce contracts using the JCT suite and carry out the administration of these.
Who would you invite to a dinner party and why?
Renzo Piano, Richard Branson, Rob Moore, Robert and Brenda Vale. All architectural and business heroes of mine.
The music would have to be played by Slash with Miles Kennedy and The Conspirators. As a guitarist and multi-instrumentalist, I like good music, but mostly rock!
Jamie Oliver for the food. Local boy, self-made and cooks a good meal!
