Structural Surveys

If the surveyor suspects that the property may have a structural defect he may advise you to commission a specialist structural engineer's report . A structural engineer will assess whether the defect presents a risk to the future stability of the building and advise on what action needs to be taken in order to rectify the problem.

From a safety point of view, surveyors and structural engineers tend to err heavily on the side of caution. Much of the repair work that they advise is unnecessary. However, from a resale point of view any property with a structural defect may prove extremely difficult to sell; unless the property that you are considering is exceptionally good value you should think very carefully before proceeding.

The cost of a structural engineer's report will vary considerably according to the nature of the fault that they are investigating. Ask for a quote before you proceed.