Pre-Purchase Structural Surveys

Buying a property and your surveyor has recommended a structural engineer? We’ll inspect the concern, explain it in plain English and tell you what any repairs are likely to involve, so you can decide with the facts before you exchange. We cover London, Surrey, Sussex, Kent and Essex, can usually visit within 3 working days, and reports are typically issued within 48 hours of the site visit.

Chartered sign-off available for lenders and insurers · Express 24-hour reports · Saturday visits by appointment

Book a pre-purchase survey or call 020 3835 2633

When buyers call us
• A RICS Home Survey or Building Survey recommends a structural engineer’s report
• A mortgage lender asks for an engineer’s report before releasing funds
• You’ve spotted cracking, a leaning wall or sloping floors on a viewing
• Walls or chimney breasts have been removed and you want to know they were supported properly
• You’re planning an extension or loft conversion and want to know what the structure will allow

Which inspection do you need?

Specific structural inspection: £950 + VAT
Focused on the issue your surveyor or lender has flagged, such as a crack, a bowing wall or a removed chimney breast.

General structural inspection: approx. £1,700 + VAT
A full inspection of the structure of the whole property, best when there are several concerns or you want a complete picture.

We confirm the fee before booking.

What you get
• A visual, non-intrusive inspection by a structural engineer
• Photos of what we find and our view on the likely cause
• Whether the movement looks historic or ongoing
• Clear recommendations, and an idea of what repairs would involve
• A plain-English report, typically within 48 hours of the visit

How it works
1. Send us the property address, the survey or lender’s comments, and your timescale.
2. We confirm the fee and arrange access, usually through the estate agent.
3. We visit, usually within 3 working days.
4. You receive your report, typically within 48 hours, and we’re happy to talk it through.

Common questions

Do I need the seller’s permission?
Yes, we need access to the property. The estate agent can usually arrange this.

Can I use the report to negotiate?
Many buyers do. If repairs are needed, knowing what’s involved helps you discuss the price or ask the seller to carry out the work.

Is the inspection intrusive?
No, it’s visual. If hidden elements such as foundations or drains need checking, we’ll recommend the right next step.

Questions buyers ask us
• My RICS survey says “refer to a structural engineer”. What now?
• Should I buy a house with cracks or subsidence?
• Buying a house where a wall was removed without approval
• Is movement normal in a Victorian terrace?
• My mortgage lender wants a structural engineer’s report
• How quickly can I get a structural report before exchange?

Estate agent, letting agent or conveyancer? Priority booking and reduced fees for property professionals →

Extra options
• Chartered sign-off: for lenders and insurers who ask for a Chartered Structural Engineer. Price on request, so please mention it when you book.
• Express report: your report within 24 hours of the visit, for buyers close to exchange. Price on request.
• Site visit consultation: £480 inc. VAT. An engineer visits and gives verbal advice, without a written report. The fee is credited if you order a report within 30 days.
• Saturday visits by appointment.

12+ years’ experience · £1,000,000 PI insurance · Site visit within 3 working days · 48-hour reports

All our structural surveys →
Subsidence and crack reports →