Evidence first.
Observations, reasoning, conclusion — in that order. You can see how an answer was reached, not merely receive it.
Practice profile · Jarelle Mills MCIOB
One practice.
Three sides of the table.
A chartered building professional who has worked inside contracting, field surveying and complex insurance claims — now applying all three perspectives independently.
01Building + contracting
02Residential surveying
03Complex insurance claims
Much of the property advice market has a quiet conflict built in.
Damp surveys funded by damp-proofing sales. Claims assessments produced for one side of the table. Reports written defensively rather than usefully.
Mills Building Consultancy was created for evidence-led advice, in plain English, regardless of which party the conclusion happens to suit. No remediation work is sold. No referral fees are taken. No report is shaded to please the person paying for it.
“Sometimes the right answer is: this is fine. Do not spend the money.”
A decade · three vantage points
Breadth is useful when buildings refuse to fail in neat professional silos.
- 01
Building + contracting
How buildings actually go together, where workmanship fails and what a practical repair demands.
- 02
Residential surveying
Inspection discipline, construction-stage knowledge and the reality of housing quality in the field.
- 03
Complex insurance claims
Subsidence, fire, flood and escape of water — investigated, scoped, costed, validated and resolved.
The result is an opinion that connects what happened, why it happened, what repair involves and how that decision plays out in a purchase, claim or negotiation.
Professional standing
Qualified.
Regulated.
Independent.
The relevant professional memberships and specialist qualifications behind every instruction.
CodeMembership / qualificationRelevance
MCIOBChartered Member, Chartered Institute of BuildingChartered membership
AssocRICSAssociate Member, Royal Institution of Chartered SurveyorsProfessional membership
PCAQTQualified Technician — Damp and Timber BuildingsCertificate 1177
CAARegistered drone operatorAerial inspection
Instrument bench
Opinion is only as good as the observations beneath it.
The equipment changes with the question. Conclusions rest on readings, imagery and measured fact — and where necessary, agreed invasive access rather than assumption.
- 01
Laser measure
Geometry
- 02
Moisture meter
Moisture profile
- 03
Thermal imager
Temperature pattern
- 04
Borescope
Concealed void
- 05
Drone
High-level fabric
- 06
360° camera
Condition record
- 07
Camera
Referenced detail
- 08
Tape + rods
Direct measure
- 09
Access tools
Agreed opening-up
Working principles
The report should show its working.
Honesty over comfort.
The answer may be better or worse than hoped. It remains the answer, because that is what independent advice is for.
Plain English.
Technical rigour and readable writing belong together. Jargon is avoided where possible and explained where necessary.
Independent · Huddersfield
Bring the building. Bring the difficult question.
Your instruction is handled personally by Jarelle Mills MCIOB, from first conversation to final explanation.
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