The Buying & Selling Journey
If your surveyor has flagged a structural concern, or your mortgage lender wants further investigation, it can feel like it’s put your purchase on hold. This section explains what happens next: what a structural engineer’s report involves, how it fits with your surveyor’s findings, and what lenders and solicitors typically need from it.
A structural engineer is worth having before you buy when there’s a reason to question the structure. That might be visible cracking, past repairs, major alterations, or a house you already know needs significant work. A structural engineer’s report tells you what’s causing any movement, whether it’s still happening and what it will take to…
A General Structural Inspection (GSI) is a structural engineer’s inspection of the main structure of a whole property, covering the roof structure, load bearing walls, floors and signs of foundation movement. It’s the right report when there are several cracks or concerns, when you’re not sure what’s wrong, or when you want reassurance that the…
A Specific Structural Inspection (SSI) is a structural engineer’s inspection of one crack or one structural defect, followed by a written report explaining what caused it, whether it is still moving and what, if anything, needs doing. It’s the most common structural report for buyers whose survey or mortgage valuer has flagged a single concern.…
A structural engineer is a professional engineer who understands how buildings carry their weight and resist forces such as wind, ground movement and the loads we put on them. Some design new structures and alterations. Others, like me, specialise in inspecting existing buildings to explain cracks and movement. For homeowners and buyers, a structural engineer…
There are three main kinds of property survey. Condition surveys (RICS Level 1, 2 and 3) look at the whole house. Structural engineer’s reports (such as a Specific or General Structural Inspection) focus on cracks, movement and the structure. Specialist surveys look at one system, such as drains, damp or electrics. The confusing part is…
If your Level 2 survey recommends a structural engineer, your surveyor has seen cracking or movement that needs a closer look before you commit to buying. It is not a verdict that the house is unsound. In many cases a structural engineer’s inspection shows the movement is old, stable or minor, and you get a…
A Specific Structural Inspection examines one defect you already know about, such as a single crack or a leaning wall. A General Structural Inspection assesses the main structural elements of the whole property when you are not sure what is wrong. The simplest test is whether you can point at the problem. If you can,…
A structural engineer’s report in Bristol typically costs between £500 and £1,200, depending on whether you need one specific defect looked at or the whole property assessed. Our fees are fixed: £570 including VAT for a single defect, and from £810 including VAT for a full structural inspection, with the report issued within 48 hours.…
When you are in the process of buying a new home, finding the right professionals to guide you is essential. A common first step is to search for surveyors in your local area, but with so many options available, how do you know which one to choose? Selecting the right expert can make a significant…
Fast Quoting,
No-Obligation
Tell us what you're concerned about and we'll come back with a clear quote, no jargon, no pressure, no obligation. You'll know the cost and what's included before you commit to anything.
48-Hour
Reports
Once the inspection's done, you're not left waiting. You'll have your full written report within 48 hours, so you can make a decision and move on, whether that's reassurance or next steps.
Qualified Engineer,
Not a Call Centre
You deal directly with me, a Chartered Structural Engineer (CEng MICE), from quote to inspection to report. No handoffs, no junior inspector standing in.
Plain-Language Reports
No dense technical jargon you need a second opinion to understand. Every report tells you plainly what's causing the problem, how serious it is, and what, if anything, you need to do next.
Ready for Clarity on Your Crack or Structural Concern?
Tell us a bit about what you've noticed and the property, and we'll come back with which report's right for you and a clear, no-obligation quote. We'll then confirm a date and get your report to you within 48 hours of the inspection.
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