Detailed observations and recommendations
Structural inspections are carried out by our Chartered Structural Engineers. These surveys may be commissioned:
- following a home report
- in relation to insurance claims
- to investigate structural movement, settlement, subsidence or fire damage
- for monitoring of cracks and movement
- to enable more intrusive structural investigations.
We establish the extent of any structural issue, the cause of it and the required remedial action.
Then, we provide a written report outlining the main observations with conclusions and recommendations for repairs or further steps such as intrusive investigation or monitoring.
Feasibility reviews
If a change of use is planned for a building, a structural inspection can assess if the structure is adequate for example, if a private residence is being altered for a public purpose, leading to greater load or fire safety implications.
Alternatively, in a dispute between different parties, a structural inspection may form part of a forensic investigation to provide an expert opinion.
Specialist techniques and testing
A structural inspection may require closer examination of the core structure of the building and involve lifting floorboards to check joists, cutting holes in the ceiling to check the support structure, or drilling to expose foundations. We have specialist equipment and use laboratory testing of building materials when required.
A considered and respectful approach
Our priority is to produce a report that provides the best value for our clients by clearly communicating the outcome of our investigations with key observations with a conclusion and appropriate recommendations and solutions. In some cases, our team’s recommendations might be for additional intrusive investigation, or it could be appropriate to monitor a situation over a longer period of time do determine if any movement is progressive. We always take great care to minimise the use of any invasive techniques, or any damage caused and of course, the property owner’s permission is always obtained first.
A huge thank you for helping on this issue and moving everything forward so quickly.
Maureen Burnside,
Private Client
