A buyer contacted SERL, based on recommendations from their surveyor, following their RICS Home Survey Level 3. They had endorsed us due to our well-known expertise and independence.
The client sought our expertise in structural engineers’ reports, especially within the Greater London area. They needed a report to address the concerns of their mortgage provider. The surveyor had identified structural issues, specifically potential bulging of the flank wall and internal cracking.
In response to the client’s requirements our qualified Chartered Structural Engineer recommended a Specific Structural Inspection report.
SERL offers two types of structural reports:
1) A localised, specific, and limited Specific Structural Inspection (SSI) report or a Structural Engineers Defect Report.
2) A broader General Structural Inspection Report (GSI) or Structural Engineers General Movement Report which focuses only on matters of cracking and movement.
In response to the client’s requirements our qualified Chartered Structural Engineer recommended a General Structural Inspection (GSI) report.
The property showed no evidence of recent movement. There was minor cracking in living room ceilings immediately adjacent to the flank wall, and where attributed to typical plaster shrinkage.
This type of cracking is a result of insufficient lateral support commonly found in period properties between the upper floors and the external flank wall.
We were satisfied that the structural issues were minor, with no essential repairs needed. However, as a ‘desirable improvement’, we recommended the installation of lateral restraint straps between the flank wall and floors, which can be discreetly added from the outside.
The client was relieved to receive guidance from an experienced chartered structural engineer.
We provided a positive report to the client, enabling the buyer to secure their mortgage with assurances that the damage was minimal.
And this allowed them to plan for routine improvements in the future.