A vendor contacted SERL based on recommendations from their estate agent. They had endorsed us due to our well-known expertise and independence.
The client required our expertise in structural engineering reports, particularly in the Kingston/Richmond area of South-West London. They needed a report to address the concerns raised by a prospective buyer regarding significant sloping of all internal floors. The floors sloped more than 100 mm (4 inches) across the property’s width, which was quite substantial.
In response to the client’s requirements our qualified Chartered Structural Engineer recommended a General 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.
The townhouse, built in the 1970s, showed no signs of recent subsidence.
However, consistent evidence of early settlement was apparent, due to the fact that we noted sloping floors and staircases on the ground, first, and second levels. Additionally, the original windowsills on both the front and rear elevations also sloped significantly.
We found no indication of any recent structural movement.
However, most buyers would typically expect more even floors in a property of this nature. It is likely that buyers would prefer to either remove or level all floors before undertaking a complete renovation, as the entire property, including kitchens and bathrooms, required updating regardless.
The client was relieved to receive guidance from an experienced chartered structural engineer. We were able to provide them with a positive report but recommended that they allocate several tens of thousands of pounds of expenditure and this recommendation facilitated negotiation with various buyers.