4th Floor
Silverstream House
45 Fitzroy Street
London
W1T 6EB
Silverstream House
45 Fitzroy Street
London
W1T 6EB
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4th Floor, Silverstream House, 45 Fitzroy Street, London, W1T 6EB
E: info@kelpstudio.co.uk
T: 020 3835 2633
M: 07561 417319
How quickly can I get a structural report before exchange?
4 November 2026 · Blog · Buying a homeWhen a structural concern comes up during a purchase, time suddenly matters: the seller wants to exchange, the chain is waiting, and you don’t want to lose the house. Here’s how long it really takes, and how to keep things moving.
Our typical timescale
• Quote: within 2 working hours of sending the address and survey extract
• Site visit: usually within 3 working days
• Report: typically within 48 hours of the visit
That means most buyers have a clear answer within about a week of first getting in touch.
Why it must be before exchange
Once you exchange contracts, you’re legally committed to buy, usually with a deposit at stake. If the report finds serious work is needed after that, it’s too late to renegotiate or walk away. Getting the report first protects you.
How to avoid delays
• Book as soon as the survey flags a concern, not after the rest of the conveyancing
• Send us the survey extract so we know exactly what to look at
• Ask the agent to arrange access quickly with the seller or tenant
• Tell your solicitor and the agent that a structural report is in hand
Common questions
Will a structural report hold up my purchase?
Rarely by much. Conveyancing usually takes weeks, and our process takes days. Booking early means it often runs alongside the searches without delaying anything.
Can you visit at short notice?
Often, yes. If you’re against a deadline, tell us when you book and we’ll do our best to fit you in.
Who arranges access?
Usually the estate agent, with the seller or tenant. We can liaise with them directly.
Do you cover my area?
We cover all of London, plus Surrey, Sussex, Kent and Essex. Structural engineers across London →
Book a pre-purchase structural report →
Site visit within 3 working days · report within 48 hours · get in touch or call 020 3835 2633
More for home buyers
• My RICS survey says “refer to a structural engineer”
• 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 lender wants a structural engineer’s report
Structural surveys in London →
Structural engineer or RICS surveyor? →
Will a structural report hold up my purchase?
Rarely by much. Conveyancing usually takes weeks, and our process takes days. Booking early means it often runs alongside the searches without delaying anything.
Can you visit at short notice?
Often, yes. If you’re against a deadline, tell us when you book and we’ll do our best to fit you in.
Who arranges access?
Usually the estate agent, with the seller or tenant. We can liaise with them directly.
Do you cover my area?
We cover all of London, plus Surrey, Sussex, Kent and Essex. Structural engineers across London →
Book a pre-purchase structural report →
Site visit within 3 working days · report within 48 hours · get in touch or call 020 3835 2633
More for home buyers
• My RICS survey says “refer to a structural engineer”
• 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 lender wants a structural engineer’s report
Structural surveys in London →
Structural engineer or RICS surveyor? →