Who it's for
A general structural inspection suits you if your main question is whether the building is structurally sound. For example:
- you own an older home and want to know whether cracks, distortion or past alterations point to a structural problem
- you are buying, and a mortgage valuation or an earlier report has raised general structural concerns
- your lender or insurer has asked for a structural report, where they accept a report from a surveyor
- you are planning major works and want to understand the structure first
- the home is of non-standard construction and you want its structure assessed. Lenders often have their own requirements for these homes, so check with yours first, and see our non-standard construction guides
What we inspect
Andrew Parker AssocRICS MCIOB looks at the main structural parts of the building, as far as they can be seen and safely reached:
- Walls: external and internal load-bearing walls, lintels and arches, with signs of cracking, bulging, leaning or failed wall ties
- Roof structure: rafters, purlins, trusses and bracing from the roof space where there is safe access, and the roof line from outside. Drone images can be added where flight is permitted
- Floors: signs of deflection, sloping or decay, and ventilation below suspended timber floors
- Chimneys: stacks and chimney breasts, including any that have been removed
- Alterations and extensions: removed walls, new openings, loft conversions and how extensions join the original building
- Signs of movement: cracking and distortion that may point to problems with the foundations or the ground
- Surroundings: nearby trees, drains and changes in ground level that may affect the structure
What you get
A written report on the structural condition of the building, with photographs. It explains what we found, the likely causes of any defects, how serious they appear and what to do next, including any further investigation, monitoring or engineer's input we recommend.
The report is typically issued within 5 working days of the inspection, or within 2 working days with the paid express option. Once it is issued, we offer you a call to talk it through.
How it differs from a Level 3 survey
| General structural inspection | Level 3 Building Survey | |
|---|---|---|
| What it covers | The structure of the whole building | The whole property, including structure, finishes, services, grounds, legal matters and risks |
| Standard | Outside the RICS Home Survey Standard | RICS Home Survey Standard |
| Drone roof inspection | Optional add-on, where flight is permitted | Included, where flight is permitted |
| Price | Starting price, with a fixed fee confirmed after a short call | Fixed by property value band |
If you are buying a home, compare the two before you book. A Level 3 survey includes the structure along with everything else.
A surveyor, not a structural engineer
Andrew is a surveyor, not a structural engineer. We will recommend a structural engineer where calculations or repair design are needed, where movement appears significant or is continuing, or where a lender, insurer or building control asks for one. Where a single visit cannot show whether movement has stopped, we will recommend monitoring, which means measuring cracks at intervals, usually over several months.
What it does not cover
- finishes, fittings, services and grounds, except where they affect the structure
- structural calculations, the design of repairs, or an engineer's certificate
- exposing the foundations, opening up the structure or lifting floors
- confirming that past work had building regulations approval
- a valuation
Prices
A general structural inspection costs from £495, including VAT. After a short call about the property, we confirm a fixed fee before you book. Drone images can be added where flight is permitted, and a travel supplement applies beyond about 25 miles of Hemel Hempstead.