A Guide to Structural Surveys for Commercial Properties
Anyone interested in buying, refinancing, selling, or renovating an existing property will find that structural surveys are an essential part of making sure a building is safe and functional. If you want to purchase an older building or convert a property for a different use, then you will need a structural survey.
This is an assessment of a structure that ensures it is stable and identifies any structural problems that could affect plans for its use. It will be carried out by certified structural engineers like the team here at RD Engineering, who can produce structural reports detailing any defects and recommended actions.
The outcome of a structural survey can inform your building plans and influence the success of your investments – but if you aren’t sure what exactly this process entails, we have produced a helpful guide with answers to some of the most common questions about structural surveys.
When is a structural survey necessary?
Whether you’re buying or selling a commercial property or converting a building for a different purpose, you’ll need full confidence in the property’s structural integrity and suitability for your intended use. Without a structural report, how will you ensure everything is up to code or carry out vital repairs?
This is especially important when restoring or altering older structures that can experience significant deterioration over time, as well as planning conversion projects that change properties from residential to commercial use, or vice versa – as the structure may have been designed for specific uses only.
If you don’t consult a structural engineer for an assessment and follow their advice, you could put your entire project at risk from gradually worsening structural issues. This could not only damage the property and reduce its value, but could even result in severe consequences such as collapsing structures and serious injuries or fatalities.
Of course, if there is visibly obvious damage to a building, you’ll need an appraisal by a structural engineer to diagnose the extent of the problem and assess which repairs are required. However, structural damage isn’t always immediately apparent – but a specialist can recognise the signs of subsidence, settlement, or load-bearing failures.
So, if your property has cracks in walls, bowed ceilings, warped floors, or a sagging roof, you should definitely schedule a structural inspection as soon as possible.
Alternatively, if your building seems fine but you intend to make structural alterations – such as removing a wall or adding an extension or second storey – then you’ll still need to confirm its safety with a structural report. Our structural engineers can also help with planning works in compliance with building regulations.
What happens during a structural survey?
When you book a structural survey, a qualified structural engineer will come to your site at the scheduled time to carry out an inspection. Drawing upon their experience, knowledge, and techniques, they will assess the whole structure or examine a particular element as requested. A structural surveyor will typically:
- Review existing floorplans, ground condition reports, and maintenance history
- Conduct a site survey of all accessible internal and external parts of the building
- Specify and arrange further investigations if needed (e.g. more intrusive testing)
- Produce a report based on the findings with relevant photographs and diagrams
After examining all internal spaces, external facades, and surrounding areas within the property boundaries, your structural engineer will either compile the results into a report or recommend more complex investigations if there are underlying issues that could signify a severe defect.
Once all assessments are completed, the information will be presented in a structural report, confirming the building’s condition and explaining what should be done to rectify any issues found or how to proceed with alterations to bring the structure up to the required standards.
What’s included in a structural report?
After conducting your structural survey, our engineer will review their findings and produce an informative summary to help you understand the methods used and what the results of the survey mean for your property. This structural report will include details such as:
- A summary of the property (building type, construction dates, roof type, etc.)
- External observations (such as visible structural movements or damage)
- Internal observations (e.g. cracked, warped, or damaged walls, floors, or ceilings)
- Explanations of the extent of the catalogued defects and their likely causes
- Specifications for further investigations into identified hazards or their repairs
The report will draw conclusions about what is causing any structural defects and what needs to be done to repair the damage, recommending the best techniques and materials to do so.
If requested, we can also provide recommendations and outline works in a separate report or as an addendum to your structural report to aid with your plans – for example, design and cost calculations for measures such as chimney or wall removal, internal conversions, or external extensions to your structure.
Following the advice from a commissioned report can make a significant difference in altering or restoring buildings safely and successfully. This kind of informed decision-making will not only give you peace of mind, but will also allow you to benefit from cost savings and maintained insurance and property values.
How long does a structural survey take?
The length of time that a structural survey takes will depend on the size, type, and condition of the property being inspected, as well as the complexity of its layout and any access issues. It will also be influenced by whether you require a structural engineer to assess the entire building or just specific areas of concern.
While our structural engineers always work as efficiently as possible, it’s important not to rush a structural survey to ensure we obtain all the information needed and that the details are accurate. An initial structural inspection can take up to an hour to complete, but this can vary depending on the factors mentioned above.
Once a structural survey is finished, it can take up to a week for our engineers to write up and deliver the final report with all the necessary information, evidence, and recommendations.
How much do structural surveys cost?
The characteristics and circumstances that affect how long a structural survey takes will also influence the cost. While an hourly rate may be available, this rate and the final cost would be determined by the location, size, and complexity of the property and the extent of the investigations required.
Therefore, a small project within reasonable distance of our offices in Wigan or Blackpool will cost less than larger projects and those located further away, as we provide our services all across the North West. You can always contact us to discuss your requirements and request a quote for a structural survey.
This is an important upfront expense, as it’s always worth paying for a comprehensive report on a property before buying, selling, or making alterations to it. If you proceed without a structural report, the consequences could be costly, not least for repairs that you weren’t anticipating.
Set up a structural survey with RD Engineering
As structural engineers you can trust, the RD Engineering team would be glad to conduct a survey and produce a structural engineering report for your property. When you reach out to arrange an inspection, our experienced engineers will carry out a thorough examination following industry best practices, then share our findings and recommendations with you.
Whether you’re already aware of structural damage that needs to be assessed and repaired, or you’re planning a property transaction or renovation and need to be sure of its structural integrity, you can come to RD Engineering for valuable insights and unbiased advice – ensuring your property achieves legal compliance and you can fulfil your plans.
To enquire about structural surveys and reports, give our office a call on 01257 445 010 to arrange a consultation. You also have the option to fill out our enquiry form or send an email with all the relevant information about your property to info@rd-engineering.co.uk and we will be in touch.