Structural Engineer or Chartered Surveyor for a Structural Survey?

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There is often confusion between structural engineers and structural surveys - Chartered Surveyors thus no longer use the phrase structural survey, instead calling their most comprehensive inspection a Building Survey.

One should always have an ‘all of building’ survey to check for defects that may not be limited to movement - the full engineer’s report would have focused on the single issue of subsidence only. Where there is a history of significant issues a Building Survey is recommended, rather than a HomeBuyer Survey, so this survey should be undertaken prior to exchange of contracts.

The engineer’s report may still be of help, but can only be relied upon by the persons to whom it is addressed - ask for a copy and review to assess if it is of help to you. If it is, you will also likely find it is only addressed to the client who commissioned it thus only they can rely on it. You can then revert to that client and ask them to request a quote from the engineer for the benefit of the report to be extended to you, and you can then consider if the cost of this is worthwhile alongside the contents and advice of your Building Survey.

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John Lewis

Anthony J Lewis & Co. Chartered Surveyors

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