Short answer
A structural survey — more precisely a structural appraisal — is worth commissioning when there is visible cracking or movement, when a homebuyer report has recommended further investigation, when a building is being bought or altered and its construction is unknown, or when a change of use will increase loading. It differs from a valuation or homebuyer survey: an engineer looks specifically at load paths, structural condition, causes of movement and what remedial work, if any, is justified. The output is a written appraisal with a clear conclusion and recommendations.
Branded guidance note, prepared for project records and circulation to your team.
When an appraisal is justified
- A homebuyer report has flagged cracking, bulging, deflection or dampness affecting structure
- New or widening cracks in walls, lintels or ceilings
- Floors that feel unusually springy, or visible sagging
- Change of use increasing floor loads, such as domestic to commercial storage
- Alterations proposed where the existing structure is undocumented
What the appraisal covers
- Visual inspection of accessible structure
- Assessment of crack pattern, width and likely cause
- Comment on structural adequacy for current and proposed use
- Recommendations, including any monitoring or opening-up required
How BES is typically involved
- BES undertakes the inspection personally — the engineer who visits writes the report.
- Where further investigation is needed, its purpose and cost are stated before it is commissioned.
- Remedial design can follow directly from the appraisal.
Typical process
- 01Enquiry with photographs and background history
- 02Site inspection
- 03Assessment and, if needed, monitoring or opening-up
- 04Written structural appraisal
- 05Remedial design where required
Common misconceptions
Commonly assumed
“A homebuyer survey is a structural survey.”
In practice
Homebuyer reports are generalist and routinely recommend engineer involvement rather than replacing it.
Commonly assumed
“Every crack means subsidence.”
In practice
Most cracking is thermal, shrinkage or settlement-related and is not progressive. Diagnosis matters more than assumption.
Related tools and services
Resource Centre tool
Structural Inspection Assistant
Prepare for a structural inspection by creating a tailored checklist of useful photographs, documents, observations and access information.
Start Inspection Assistant →Resource Centre tool
Structural Project Navigator
Answer a few straightforward questions to identify the likely structural engineering input, information requirements and next steps for your project.
Start Project Navigator →Related questions
Discuss your project
General guidance only goes so far. Describe your building and what you are planning, and you will receive project-specific advice from a Chartered Structural Engineer.
Discuss Your Project →Next scheduled review August 2027
Disclaimer
Indicative result only. The calculation depends on the assumptions and information entered and does not constitute structural design or professional advice. Do not use the result for construction, procurement, Building Regulations submissions or safety-critical decisions. All results must be independently verified by a suitably qualified structural engineer before being used for design, construction or regulatory purposes. Bebbington Engineering Studio Ltd accepts no responsibility for reliance placed on unverified results.