Full Structural Survey  

• Who carries out the survey

  This is carried out by an experienced Chartered Civil Engineer, 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.

• 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 of structural defects and list of recommended
  repairs. 

• How is the report laid out

  The report gives you an in-depth description and evaluation and provides and easy to read conclusion, using
  condition ratings,  so that you can to easily understand areas of the property that require attention, so you can prioritize  repairs and this way you can plan what is urgent and needs fixing first. 

• Does it include costs

  It also recommends a way of costing any repairs or upgrades that may be required.

Survey in detail

The survey (inspection) is a non-intrusive, visual inspection, subject to our standard terms and conditions, which focuses on the following:

• Roof

  In-depth, internal, visual inspection of the type of roof trusses, structural layout of rafters, ceiling
  joists, purlins, purlin struts and ties, their condition and structural integrity. Inspection of internal
  party and gable walls in the roof space, check on purlin supports and connections,
  inspection for insect infestation (wood boring beetle).

• We measure the timber moisture content and inspect for dry rot (serpula lacrymans) and wet rot, in structural timber members that support the roof. Externally, (from ground level), we check the roof lines, ridges, verges, or hip ridges, valleys, and we identify external roof coverings, flashings, gutters and downpipes, barge boards, fascia, and soffit boards are present and also if roof ventilation is present or required.  

• Walls

  The load bearing walls support the roof and the upper floors. We determine the type of wall construction, and
  materials. We identify, measure and categorize the cracks in 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 assess internal load bearing walls and room openings, for the presence of structural members.

• We check the overall structural 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.
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• Floors

  Assessment of ground floors, first floors and upper level floors, including materials used and general construction.
  Identification of floors that have undergone movement. Assessment of floor spans, excessive deflections,
  movement due to settlement, overloading, or timber creep. Identification of supporting beams in load bearing
  walls, used to support upper level floors where walls have been knocked through to join rooms. We undertake moisture content checks in floor joists, where access is possible. We identify degradation of floor joists and check for insect infestation (wood boring beetle) and rot where floor joists can be readily accessed. 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, assessment of foundation movement related to wall and floor movements and associated ground levels. We provide professional recommendations and conclusions should we  identify any problems during the survey (inspection).

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• Other items in this report include

  • Advice on some non-structural items such as ventilation of roofs,  and windows,  asbestos, minimum headroom and pitch of stairs, verge under-cloaking condition, and where visible, sarkin and flashings. Exclusions are clearly identified in the report and our standard terms and conditions. 
  • Structural Condition ratings on defects so you can plan the order of your repairs should any be required.
  • Areas of concern to be followed up by the conveyancer.
  • Informed recommendations for repair as well as future maintenance requirements.
  • 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 major structural defects, we may recommend a more in-depth or intrusive assessment is required
  such as removal of plasterboard to expose structural members, removal of floor coverings and floorboards, high level, close roof inspection,  trial pits to expose foundations, crack width monitoring, precise floor and ground elevation surveys, retrospective building regulation calculations, cavity wall inspections, more in-depth damp surveys and damp remediation, building movement monitoring. These types of reports may be carried out by us or third parties and are available subject to request and availability.