FAQs

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

From the date that we inspect your property we aim to deliver your report within 7-10 working days. If you need your report more quickly than this, please ask and we will do what we can to meet your requirements.

Our prices for a Structural Engineers Report start from £425 including VAT and are based on the property's size (number of bedrooms) and location. Please call us for a fixed price quotation.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Yes. We have inspected many properties that have suffered structural problems resulting from mine workings.

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).

Yes. As Structural Engineers we have inspected every conceivable kind of roof and in most cases find that the additional weight of the panels can be safely carried by the roof, although we would need to inspect to confirm this. In some cases however, strengthening work is necessary prior to installation. Howard Ward Associates, our parent company, can prepare the necessary calculations and provide you with the reassurance that the fitting of the panels can proceed safely.

Yes, our engineers can advise on the structural feasibility of the work you wish to undertake and provide a written report. Please call us to explain your requirements and we will give you a fee quotation. In the event that structural design calculations and drawings are required, the work would be undertaken by Howard Ward Associates LLP.