Structural Surveys and Reports

The Structure Studio provides thorough structural surveys and detailed reports for homeowners, buyers, developers, and commercial property owners across the south of England.

Whether you are concerned about cracks in your walls, purchasing a property and want to understand its structural condition, or need a professional assessment before planning building works, our experienced structural engineers can help.

Our surveys go beyond a standard building survey typically carried out by a RICS Surveyor. As qualified Structural Engineers, we assess the structural integrity of a property, identify the cause of any defects, and provide clear recommendations for remedial action where needed.

What is a Structural Survey?

A structural survey is a detailed inspection of a property’s structural elements carried out by a qualified Structural Engineer. The survey assesses the condition of the foundations, walls, floors, roof structure, and other load-bearing elements to identify any defects, movement, or areas of concern. Following the inspection, you receive a comprehensive written report that explains the findings in plain English, identifies the likely cause of any issues, assesses the severity, and provides recommendations for any repairs or further investigations that may be needed. A structural survey is different from a standard building survey or RICS Home-Buyers Report. While RICS building surveys cover the general condition of a property, a structural engineer’s report focuses specifically on the structural integrity of the building and provides a more detailed technical assessment of any structural issues.

The Structural Survey Process

Initial Enquiry

You get in touch with details of the property and the issues you are concerned about. We review the information, discuss your requirements, and provide a fee proposal. If you already have a RICS building survey or Home-Buyers Report, we can review this to understand the potential issues before attending site.

Site Inspection

Our Structural Engineer visits the property to carry out a thorough inspection of the structural elements. This includes examining foundations, walls, floors, roof structure, lintels, and any areas of visible damage or movement. The inspection typically takes between one and three hours depending on the size and complexity of the property.

Report & Recommendations

You receive a detailed written report, typically within five working days, that explains our findings, identifies the cause of any issues, and provides clear recommendations. If remedial works are needed, we can also provide guidance on costs and, if required, design the structural solution and oversee the repair works.

When Do You Need a Structural Survey?

There are a number of situations where a structural survey is the appropriate course of action. If you are unsure whether you need one, we are happy to discuss your situation and advise you.

Common reasons for commissioning a structural survey include:

Cracks appearing in internal or external walls
Doors or windows sticking or not closing properly
Uneven or sloping floors
Signs of subsidence or structural movement
Purchasing a property and wanting a structural assessment
A building surveyor has recommended further investigation
Planning building works and needing to assess the existing structure
Damp, timber decay, or deterioration of structural elements
Insurance claims relating to structural damage

Types of Structural Reports

We provide a range of structural reports tailored to the specific requirements of each situation. The type of report you need will depend on the nature of the issue and how the report will be used.

Our structural reports include:

Structural condition reports for homeowners
Pre-purchase structural assessments for buyers
Specific defect reports (cracks, movement, subsidence)
Pre-works structural assessments before building works
Schedule of condition reports for party wall matters
Insurance claim reports and assessments
Structural appraisals for change of use or conversion

Pre-Purchase Structural Surveys

If you are buying a property, a structural survey can provide invaluable peace of mind. This is particularly important for older properties, buildings of non-standard construction, and properties where structural issues have been identified during a building survey or mortgage valuation.

The South of England has a large stock of Georgian and Victorian properties where historic construction methods, settlement, and the effects of age are common considerations. Our engineers have extensive experience with these types of buildings and can help you understand the significance of any issues and what, if any, remedial work might be needed.

A pre-purchase structural report can also help you negotiate on price. If the report identifies issues that require repair, you may be able to use this information to agree a reduction in the purchase price.

Commercial Structural Surveys

For commercial property owners, landlords, and investors, we provide structural surveys and reports that support informed decision-making around acquisitions, disposals, and ongoing property management.

Our commercial structural survey services include:

Pre-acquisition structural assessments
Structural due diligence reports
Schedule of condition reports
Structural appraisals for change of use
Defect diagnosis and remedial advice
Planned maintenance assessments
Roof load assessments for the installation of Solar Panels

We work across a range of commercial sectors, including offices, retail, industrial, healthcare, and education.

Listed Buildings & Historic Properties

With offices in Bath, Leamington Spa and London, we have extensive experience working on listed buildings or historic structures in conservation areas. Surveying and specifying structural repairs to sensitive historic buildings and structures requires a different approach and a thorough understanding of traditional construction methods and materials.

Our engineers have extensive experience surveying Georgian townhouses in Bath and Leamington Spa, period properties, and other historic buildings in the South of England. We understand the structural behaviour of traditional masonry, lime mortar, timber framing, and stone construction, and can assess issues in the context of the building’s age and construction type.

Where remedial works are needed, we recommend solutions that are sympathetic to the building’s character and compliant with listed building requirements.

What to look out for

Diagonal cracks, particularly those wider at the top than the bottom, can indicate differential settlement. Horizontal cracks in brickwork may suggest lateral movement or structural overload. Cracks around window and door openings are common and may be caused by inadequate lintels or localised movement. Sloping walls and sagging floors are also common in historic properties and could indicate ongoing movement or underlying issues with ground movements or timber decay.

Not all cracks are serious

Many cracks in older properties are historic and stable. Hairline cracks caused by shrinkage, thermal movement, or minor settlement are common and rarely a cause for concern. Our role is to establish the cause, assess the severity, and give you a clear and honest opinion on whether any action is needed.

When to act quickly

If you notice cracks appearing suddenly or getting noticeably wider over a short period, floors becoming uneven, or doors and windows becoming increasingly difficult to open or close, it is worth getting a structural assessment sooner rather than later. Early diagnosis can often prevent a small issue from becoming a major problem.

Get Expert Structural Advice

If you are concerned about the structural condition of your property, or need a structural assessment for a purchase, insurance claim, or building project, our experienced structural engineers can help.

We provide clear, honest assessments and straightforward advice. Our reports are written in plain English so you can understand the findings and make informed decisions.