A question often asked by potential home buyers and clients seeking a pre purchase survey on a house, apartment or building of any type – What is the difference between the various types of reports available when buying a home or building?, homebuyers report or full building survey? and what does a structural survey or full building condition survey report cover ? Confusion often comes from the variety of reports and terminology used to describe the inspection- The basic survey type a ‘home buyers report’ is usually performed when having a valuation survey however this will only provide basic information on defects along with the property valuation, so in this article I will detail what should be included in a full building condition report or structural survey.
Building condition survey / Structural survey
Building condition Surveys or Structural surveys are an all-over health check on a building or property, which tell you it’s exact current structural state. They are performed when the
property is about to be sold – or has gone ‘sale agreed’. The potential home buyer would instruct a company of Chartered Engineers or Chartered Building surveyors such as Dublin Surveys to arrange a site survey and provision of a structural survey report / Building condition report. This detailed examination of the home provides the homebuyer with a wealth of information from minor maintenance up to the worst case scenario when major structural problems present in a building. A structural survey can bring about a change in the sale price or may also sometimes make the home buyer decide that they do not want to purchase the property after all. All defects noted in the structural survey report / Building condition report will have a schedule of costs to allow for an informed decision to be made by the potential home buyer.
What’s included and excluded in a Structural survey / building condition survey ?
These types of full survey will be performed on all parts of the property which the surveyor can access, so the state of the floors beneath floor coverings, carpets etc. will not be monitored. Nor will the water supply or wiring within the house influence the survey report – (hidden services) however the condition of any visible services and installations will be commented on and appropriate advice provided.
Key areas a structural survey will examine:
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The design and construction of the property
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Damaged or removed lintels
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Supporting walls have been altered
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Presence of hazardous materials (e.g. asbestos)
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Damp related issues such as dry rot or rising damp
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Evidence of woodworm or other insect infestations
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Rotten or damaged timbers including window frames
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Problems with the roof, flat roof / main roof
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Brick or stonework damage
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Evidence of subsidence
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Visible plumbing, electrical work or insulation
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party wall issues / boundary issues
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Flood risk
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Pyrite heave damage
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Short – Medium & long term maintenance
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Costs to repair or maintain any issues highlighted in the structural survey / building condition survey report
Common questions about building surveys:
What does a building survey cover?
What does a full structural survey include ?
Homebuyers report or full building survey?
Types of building surveys ?
building survey comparison | building condition survey | structural survey
Contact Dublin Surveys & our team of chartered engineers & chartered building surveyors will be glad to provide assistance on any specific concern or questions about full structural surveys or full building condition survey : 085 1276288
