A prospective buyer contacted SERL following their level 3 RICS Survey which found various minor cracks inside and out. A RICS Level 3 Home Survey, previously known as a Building Survey, is a detailed inspection of a property’s condition and construction. It’s the most comprehensive survey available and can be useful for a range of situations when buying or selling a property.
SERL was contacted by the property owner who was seeking a reputable, independent, and highly experienced structural engineering firm specialising in Structural Engineers Reports for residential properties in Fulham and the South West London area.
In response to the client’s requirements our qualified Chartered Structural Engineer recommended a Structural Engineers General Structural Inspection Report (GSI) also know as a General Movement 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.
We inspected the property, a purpose-built maisonette within a long terrace of similar properties. It exhibited some cracking on the front and rear external walls, which we determined to be historic.
While there was some bulging and leaning in the rear addition flank wall, it was within acceptable limits. No separation was evident where the rear projection joined the main building.
The brick arches showed signs of historical distortion, so we recommended some modest repairs.
After conducting a thorough inspection of both the interior and exterior, including spirit level measurements to verify alignment, we found no signs of recent modern day movement or subsidence.
We suggested minor repairs, amounting to a few thousand pounds, as desirable improvements, but they were not essential.
The client appreciated the guidance they received from an experienced chartered structural engineer and were reassured that the cracks were non-structural, with normal future subsidence risks.