Full House Structural Inspection
Buying a property, selling one, or losing sleep over the condition of the structure? We inspect the main structural elements and provide a plain-English written report by a chartered engineer. From £585.
This service is for people who don't just have one crack to worry about — they want to understand the whole picture before making an expensive decision. Buyers before exchange, sellers preparing for market, and homeowners who simply want peace of mind.
Unlike a standard RICS survey or a basic mortgage valuation, this is carried out by a chartered structural engineer who specialises in residential buildings. You get a clearer answer on the structure itself, written in plain English and backed up with photos.
What we inspect
Our engineer carries out a visual inspection of the main structural components:
- External and internal walls (including visible cracking, movement and bowing)
- Roof structure (where accessible — ridge, rafters, visible timbers)
- Floors (visible deflection, springiness, or structural concerns)
- Foundations (where visible — signs of movement, settlement, subsidence)
- Chimney stacks and chimney breasts
- Comments on any other visible structural concerns
Real examples from structural inspection work
Whole-property inspections often start because one visible issue raises bigger questions about the rest of the house. The aim is not just to photograph cracks, but to explain what they mean in the context of the wider structure.
What you'll receive
- Site visit by a Chartered Engineer (CEng MICE)
- Clear written report covering all structural elements inspected
- Photos illustrating key findings
- Plain English explanation — no jargon, no vague “further investigation” recommendations
- Guidance on whether any issues are cosmetic, require monitoring, or need repair
- Indication of whether insurance reporting is likely to be required
- Honest next steps — including whether you actually need to do anything
- Report suitable for mortgage lenders, solicitors and conveyancers
When this is the right choice
You want an expert structural opinion before you exchange contracts, especially on older or unusual homes.
Your lender or solicitor has asked for a structural engineer's report and the issue is broader than one isolated defect.
You need professional evidence of the property's overall structural condition or multiple concerns.
There are several concerns across the property, so a whole-property assessment is more useful than a focused report.
You want to understand and deal with structural questions before a buyer's survey causes delays later.
You want a professional structural opinion on the house as a whole, not just one issue.
Whole-property report or focused report?
| Feature | SSI — £480 | GSI — £585 |
|---|---|---|
| Scope | One specific concern | Whole property structure |
| Ideal for | Cracks, movement, mortgage hold, insurance claim, pre-sale | Buying, selling, mortgage, insurance, peace of mind |
| Lender approved | ✓ | ✓ |
| Insurance reports | ✓ | ✓ |
| Pre-sale use | ✓ | ✓ |
| Site visit | ✓ | ✓ |
| Written report + photos | ✓ | ✓ |
| Turnaround | 3–7 working days | 3–7 working days |
Not sure which is right for your situation? Call us on 0116 218 2917 — we'll tell you in two minutes, even if the answer is “you don't need either”.
Common questions about structural inspections
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