FAQs
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What exactly is a Structural Engineers Report?
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A Structural Engineers Report is a visual property inspection carried out by a chartered structural or civil engineer. Click here to see a sample report
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How long do your reports take to produce?
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We aim to deliver your report within 7-10 days from the date of instruction, on the assumption that we can readily access the property. If you need your report more quickly than this, please ask and we will do what we can to meet your requirements.
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How much will the report cost?
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Our prices for a Structural Engineers Report start from £450 plus VAT and are based on the property's size (number of bedrooms) and location. Please call us for a fixed price quotation.
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Which areas of the property do you inspect?
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We inspect all of the relevant visible structural elements of the building. These typically include internal and external loadbearing walls, roof structure (including structural timbers within loft areas only where problems are suspected), floors, beams and columns.
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Why do I need a Structural Engineers Report?
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There could be various reasons but typically it is to give a professional opinion of a building’s structural condition prior to its sale, usually as a result of a valuation or general condition survey. This is often in connection with a mortgage application where it may be recommended that a structural engineer is consulted.
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What is the difference between a chartered structural engineer and a chartered civil engineer?
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The difference simply relates to which professional institution the engineer is a member of. Both chartered structural engineers (MIStructE) and chartered civil engineers (MICE) are equally technically qualified and reports prepared by them are equally acceptable to mortgage lenders. Whilst ensuring that a chartered engineer prepares your report should be your first priority, it is just as important to consider the specific experience of the engineer as most chartered engineers do not specialise in report writing. At Structural Engineers Reports, all of our engineers are chartered and have many years of report writing experience ensuring that our finished product is clear, easy to understand and makes sensible and practical recommendations.
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Are there parts of a property that you don't inspect?
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Yes. It is important to be aware that we are not Building Surveyors and therefore our reports will not cover areas such as services (electrics, plumbing etc.), decorations, roof coverings and the property’s condition with regard to dry rot, timber infestation or dampness.
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My property shows signs of cracking. Is it falling down?
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We provide you with a full written report and will always aim to give a clear and simple explanation of any problems in terms of their cause and how to remedy them. Perhaps more importantly, if there are no significant causes for concern, we will reassure you and hopefully enable your sale or purchase to proceed. We will identify whether the visible defects are longstanding (and can be repaired cosmetically) or provide evidence of more serious ongoing structural problems. Our recommendations will usually contain an estimate of the cost of any repairs, although detailed quotations should be obtained from suitable contractors (who we can refer you to if required) before making any financial commitment.
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I need a report very urgently. Can you help?
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Yes, we are well used to working to tight deadlines. Although our written report will take a few days to produce, we are more than happy to give you a verbal report immediately after we have finished our inspection. When the report has been finished and checked, we issue it immediately by email. To facilitate this in all cases, we take payment prior to the engineer's inspection.
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I think my property is affected by subsidence. Can you help?
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Regardless of whether you intend to make a claim on your buildings insurance, we recommend that you obtain a structural engineers report. This will be crucial in determining the cause(s) of the structural movement and will certainly be required by insurers prior to accepting a claim.
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Do you share any information regarding your customers or their property with any third parties?
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No we don't. The work we do is confidential and our reports are issued solely to our customers unless they directly instruct us otherwise.
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Can you inspect a property that I do not own?
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Yes. We regularly work for prospective purchasers and can make arrangements with estate agents, vendors or other key holders to gain access to the property.
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The property I am concerned about is in a coal mining area. Can you help?
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Yes. We have inspected many properties that have suffered structural problems resulting from mine workings.
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The property I would like you to inspect is of non-standard construction. Can you help?
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Yes. We have inspected numerous system-built properties of non-traditional construction (including steel framed houses, precast concrete framed houses, no-fines concrete houses and any other non-standard forms of construction). Where necessary, we carry out inspections in accordance with the relevant guidance from the Building Research Establishment (BRE).
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