More than 100 surveys are being carried out during the first stage of the restoration project to develop the most detailed record of the Palace of Westminster ever created.   

 The survey analysis will map out the condition of all the complex mechanical and engineering systems including the Victorian heating and cooling system.  

 Expert surveyors will also look at the miles of gas and electric pipes that often run directly alongside one another in the basement, and in thousands of spaces in floors, walls and risers that were originally designed as part of the Victorian ventilation system.

Many of the systems reached the end of their expected life decades ago and urgently need replacing.  

Other surveys will focus on archaeology and the structure of the building and investigators will also look at fire safety, the condition of windows, walls, floors and stonework, and heat loss from the building.  

David Goldstone, CEO of the Houses of Parliament Restoration and Renewal Delivery Authority said: “Our experts are carrying out more than 100 surveys to develop the most detailed record of Parliament ever created, as we get on with the job of preparing the detailed and costed plan that will for the first time give a true sense of the costs and timescales of restoring the Palace of Westminster.” 

The in-depth surveys are a key part of developing a detailed and costed restoration plan for the £4bn-£6bn project.

Most of these surveys will be procured through the intrusive surveys framework contracts. 

Surveys are expected to begin later this year and every supplier will go through the same rigorous security checks as existing Parliamentary contractors and suppliers. 

In total, there are eight categories where suppliers are being invited to apply to be part of an Intrusive Surveys Supplier Framework, making the final procurement of dozens of individual surveys much quicker.  

The categories are: 

• Civil Engineering / Structural 
• Ground Investigations & Geotechnical  
• Instrumentation & Monitoring  
• Environmental 
• Mechanical, Electrical & Public Health 
• Archaeology  
• Asbestos Removal 
• Conservation Contractor 

The framework is for up to £80m of survey contracts over the next four years, with around £10m of contracts expected to be procured in the first year.

The detailed and costed restoration plan will be considered by Parliament, and work on the Palace itself is due to start in the mid-2020s.

The contract tender notice and contact details can be found here.