Full Structural Survey

(Inspection)  

• Who carries out the survey

  This is carried out by an experienced  Chartered Structural Engineer, Chartered Building Engineer or Building Surveyor, with expert knowledge of building inspection, building construction, structural defects, and repairs and at least 10 years qualified. Our full structural survey (inspection), assesses the building’s construction, structural integrity and stability and outlines the structural defects. We use  experienced, seasoned, professionals, depending on specific requirements, who undertake a detailed survey (inspection) of the building and then produce a report in a specific format as per our standard terms and conditions. 

• What type of property is it recommended for

  We usually recommend this type of survey for older properties but it can be undertaken on any property, as we undertake the same detailed checks, but older properties usually tend to flag up more defects in our experience. We also inspect properties of non-standard construction such as BISF steel framed houses, Cornish type, post- war houses, no-fines concrete houses, Timber frame houses and Commercial buildings.

• How detailed is the report

  The Survey (Inspection) Report varies in length, depending on the condition of the building and number of
  defects but is commonly 60+ pages in length, with an easy to follow summary and list of recommended
  repairs or recommendations. (The report does not include hidden items)

• How is the report laid out

  The report provides you an in-depth  description of how the property is constructed, with an easy to read conclusion, using
  structural condition ratings,  so that you can understand what requires attention, so you can prioritize any repairs. 

• Does it include costs

  It does not include direct costs but  recommends a way of costing  repairs that may be required.

Survey in detail

The survey (inspection) is a non-intrusive, visual survey, subject to our standard terms and conditions. We don’t undertake detailed calculations, or measurements in this report as a rule, but may recommend further investigation in this respect, should we feel it necessary. The report inspect the on the structural items following:

• Roof

  Internal, visual inspection of the type of roof trusses, layout of rafters, ceiling
  joists, purlins, purlin struts and ties, and their general condition. Inspection of internal
  party and gable walls in the roof space. Inspection for insect infestation (wood boring beetle).

• We measure the timber moisture content and inspect for timber rot, in main structural timber members that support the roof. Externally, (from ground level), we check the roof ridge, line, verges, or hip ridges, valleys, for signs of structural issues with the roof and we identify  if roof ventilation is present or if required.  

• Walls

  The load bearing walls support the roof and the upper floors. We determine the type of wall construction, and
  materials where visible. We identify, measure and categorize the cracks in load bearing walls in line with industry standards and we determine what is the cause, eg, thermal movement, bearing failure, lintel failure, settlement, suspected
  subsidence, or cavity wall tie failure. We also visually inspect internal load bearing walls and room openings, for the presence of structural members. If we can’t determine these are present, or suspect they are inadequate, then we may recommend additional measures, are undertaken outside the report, see below.

• We check the overall Integrity of walls, undertake basic verticality checks, sill, head lintel, or bed joint level checks, where we think it is required. Where visible, we identify mortar type, surface degradation, and external wall degradation. We also check walls for high moisture levels and identify areas of suspected rising damp, hygroscopic salts and penetrating damp.

• Floors

  Visual assessment of ground floors, first floors and upper level floors, including materials used and general construction.
  Identification of floors that have undergone movement. Identification of, excessive floor deflections and sloping floors.
  We undertake moisture content checks in floor joists, where access is possible and visible. We identify degradation of floor joists and check for insect infestation (wood boring beetle) and rot where floor joists are visible. We cannot remove floor coverings to inspect floor boards or joists. We undertake general floor levels checks in each room and identify excessive deflection, sloping floors where physically possible.

• Foundations

  Identification and assessment of type of foundation construction, likely materials based on age of building and building acts in place at that time (if not visible or without construction drawings). Topography of the site, identification of foundation movement, related to wall and floor movements. 

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• Other items in this report include

  • Advice on some non-structural items such as ventilation of roofs, minimum headroom and pitch of stairs, verge under-cloaking condition, and where visible, sarkin and flashings. Exclusions are identified in the report and in our standard terms and conditions. 
  • Structural Condition ratings so you can plan the order of your repairs should any be required. 
  • Areas of concern to be followed up by the conveyancer such as building control approval from their local authority searches. We don’t undertake property searches, ourselves as this should be done by your solicitors during conveyancing.
  • Informed recommendations for repairs.
  • A way forward to estimate costs for any repairs or improvements and how to get them done. 
  • After hours explanation of your report and back up advice should you need it.

• Sometimes if we find damp or structural defects, we may recommend a more in-depth assessment, or additional reports are required such as detailed structural calculation reports, high level, or close roof inspections, crack width monitoring, precise floor and ground elevation surveys, topographical or geotechnical surveys.  retrospective building regulation calculations, cavity wall inspections, more in-depth damp surveys and damp remediation, long term building movement monitoring. These types of reports may be carried out by us, or third parties and can also be subject to request and availability.