Across the UK homes, infrastructure and land are at risk from complex ground hazards that can remain hidden for years. Every day, decisions worth millions of pounds are being made without considering the consequences of these hazards, putting the investments of individuals, families and businesses at risk.
At Terrafirma, we are passionate about improving the understanding of the ground, and the complex ways it interacts with the built environment. Our geologists, soil scientists and mining engineers clearly communicate ground risks through our pioneering reports, expert advice and innovative ground risk models.
Terrafirma exist to ensure people and organisations have access to accurate and understandable information on ground hazards, so they can make informed decisions without needing to be ground risk specialists themselves.
CEO and Founder, Tom Backhouse formed Terrafirma with the ambition to educate the conveyancing sector about mining-related ground stability risk.
Tom Backhouse formed Terrafirma with the ambition to educate the conveyancing sector about mining-related ground stability risk.
Tom reaches out to local universities and Terrafirma works with numerous student interns from the University of Bristol’s Earth Sciences department.
The TerraSearch suite of searches was launched, bringing Assure, Assess and Action to the market.
Tom reaches out to local universities and Terrafirma works with numerous student interns from the University of Bristol’s Earth Sciences department.
The TerraSearch suite of searches was launched, bringing Assure, Assess and Action to the market.
Terrafirma launch regulated coal reports utilising licensed coal data and expert opinion.
Tom receives an Outstanding Achievement Award at the Modern Law Conveyancing Awards for his contributions to risk assessment in the conveyancing process. The team grows and moves to into offices at Aztec West, Bristol.
Terrafirma COO, Danny Powell-Thomas, presents his master’s research on desk-based mining risk assessment at the inaugural Geologist’s Association Student Symposium.
Tom stars in 'Sinkholes' on Channel 5, a documentary exploring how the misunderstood hazard impacts the UK.
Terrafirma launch regulated coal reports utilising licensed coal data and expert opinion.
Terrafirma COO, Danny Powell-Thomas, presents his master’s research on desk-based mining risk assessment at the inaugural Geologist’s Association Student Symposium.
CEO and Founder, Tom Backhouse received an Outstanding Achievement Award at the Modern Law Conveyancing Awards for his contributions to risk assessment in the conveyancing process. The team grows and moves to into offices at Aztec West, Bristol.
Tom stars in 'Sinkholes' on Channel 5, a documentary exploring how the misunderstood hazard impacts the UK.
Terrafirma become Executive Members of The Council of Property Search Organisations (CoPSO), to help set and improve industry standards.
Terrafirma launch the Ground Report, a flagship report aimed at providing expert opinion on the risk from mining and natural ground hazards and recorded ground movement, including a CON29M report as standard.
Terrafirma becomes the first commercial organisation to be licensed by the Law Society to produce an official CON29M report.
Terrafirma receives highly commended for the Innovation Award at the Mortgage Finance Gazette Awards for producing the first commercial CON29M, reducing liabilities for lenders and conveyancers alike.
Terrafirma become Executive Members of The Council of Property Search Organisations (CoPSO), to help set and improve industry standards.
Terrafirma becomes the first commercial organisation to be licensed by the Law Society to produce an official CON29M report.
Terrafirma launch the Ground Report, a flagship report aimed at providing expert opinion on the risk from mining and natural ground hazards and recorded ground movement, including a CON29M report as standard.
Terrafirma recieves highly commended for the Innovation Award at the Mortgage Finance Gazette Awards for producing the first commercial CON29M, reducing liabilities for lenders and conveyancers alike.
Terrafirma host first Advisory Panel meeting - a team of experienced professionals across legal due diligence, geology and mining to explore new ideas and current challenges.
Tom features on BBC’s The One Show, explaining sinkholes in the UK, their impacts and links to a changing climate.
Terrafirma expands its Executive, Development and Marketing team and establishes the GeoData division. Terrafirma welcome Chris Milne as Technical Director to the team to bolster the company’s geological and engineering expertise.
Terrafirma appoint renowned commercial and legal data expert Lucy Oxer as Chief Data Officer.
Terrafirma host first Advisory Panel meeting - a team of experienced professionals across legal due diligence, geology and mining to explore new ideas and current challenges.
Terrafirma expands its Executive, Development and Marketing team and establishes the GeoData division. Terrafirma welcome Chris Milne as Technical Director to the team to bolster the company’s geological and engineering expertise.
Terrafirma CEO and Founder, Tom Backhouse features on BBC’s The One Show, explaining sinkholes in the UK, their impacts and links to a changing climate.
Terrafirma appoint renowned commercial and legal data expert Lucy Oxer as Chief Data Officer.
Terrafirma appoint Dr Tim Farewell as Science and Communications Director who joins from Cranfield University with a wealth of experience in environmental data science.
The new Coastal Hazards module is available within the Ground Report, providing property-specific information on coastal flooding, landslides and erosion prior to purchase.
The Council of Property Search Organisations (CoPSO), appoints Tom Backhouse, CEO of Terrafirma as a new Board Member and Director.
Terrafirma win 'Innovation of the Year' at the Mortgage Finance Gazette Awards for the first property-specific risk assessment from coastal hazards.
Terrafirma appoint Dr Tim Farewell as Science and Communications Director who joins us from Cranfield University with a wealth of experience in environmental data science.
Hometrack has unveiled a climate change risk assessment product which it has created using expertise from climatology specialists Terrafirma and Ambiental...
Read More...Terrafirma is launching a major update to its standard-setting Ground Report, making it the first domestic search product to provide detailed, property-specific...
Read More...Key Account Manager Luke Parsons joins a panel of industry experts to discuss the challenges conveyancers have faced in 2020 and advancements in the industry...
Read More...Customer demand led to the Law Society in July to license Terrafirma as the first commercial organisation to provide a new, official CON29M report...
Read More...The Terrafirma CON29M Report provides answers to all 11 questions (14 for commercial properties) using Coal Authority licensed data and meets all the requirements...
Read More...Special feature: Winter Storms – Does storm Christoph provide a view into climate change impacts for homeowners? Geologist and CEO Tom Backhouse reflects...
Read More...Drawing on Terrafirma’s specialist knowledge in the innovation and provision of mining-instability risk assessment, the TerraSearch® product suite analyses...
Read More...Sinkholes in former coalmining areas can be predicted and more must be done to stop them, an expert has said. Mine risk specialist Tom Backhouse spoke out after one appeared...
Read More...Tom Backhouse, executive director of mining experts firm TerraFirma, said the discovery of nearby chalk mines could have a 'severe impact' on...
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Dye & Durham (UK) Limited (formerly Terrafirma IDC Limited)