Why buyers commission one
Some properties earn a closer look before you're contractually committed:
- Victorian and Edwardian terraces with a century of movement, alteration and repair
- Properties being sold with known issues, priced accordingly - where you need to know the real scale of the work
- Renovation projects where you're planning structural alterations and want to understand the building first
- Non-standard construction, or buildings with previous underpinning or repair
What you get
An inspection by an experienced engineer, followed by a clear written report with photographs: the condition of the structure, any defects and their significance, what needs attention now, what can wait, and what to budget for. If you proceed with the purchase and later alter the building, the same engineer can carry the project through calculations and Building Control design.
Frequently asked questions
Is a pre-purchase survey different from a homebuyer structural survey?
They're closely related. 'Homebuyer' surveys are usually prompted by a specific concern raised during the buying process; a pre-purchase survey is commissioned proactively by the buyer. The inspection and report are similar in depth - the trigger is different.