Fees start from £2,000 plus VAT
If there are multiple cracks or significant structural concerns regarding distortions or movement in a property, SERL recommends a General Structural Inspection (GSI), sometimes also known as a General Movement Report.
A General Structural Inspection (GSI) will assess the strength and stability of all the loadbearing walls in a property.
Our Chartered Structural Engineer will carry out a visual structural inspection of all the accessible loadbearing walls to identify signs of movement and any structural defects. Their written report will detail their findings and provide guidance for any necessary remedial works. The written report can also include estimated costs for any repairs or other corrective measures if requested.
A GSI report may be required because of numerous cracks or signs of movement to the property. The inspection may include the external environment to evaluate any risks to the foundations of the property, such as large trees or drainage problems.
As a GSI or general structural inspection report is based on a single visual inspection i.e. without intrusive and potentially damaging investigations which are invariably impractical in pre purchase inspections.
However, with years of experience inspecting London properties and our specialist expertise in the residential sector, SERL’s Structural Engineers can diagnose 95 per cent of cases by studying visible cracking to provide decisive pre purchase advice.
It is important to note when advising owners not involved in a sale, that further investigations might be appropriate.
Signs of structural movement in a London property can include:
SERL are specialists in structural reporting for the residential property sector. Every GSI report we produce is bespoke and the cost can vary depending on the complexity, size of property and location.
Fees for a General Structural Inspection (GSI or General Movement Report) start at £2,000 + VAT for flats and small houses up to 2,000 square feet, and approximately £1 per square foot for areas over 2,000 square feet. For example, for larger properties, £2,500 + VAT for a 2500 square foot house, and so on, rounded to the nearest £250. Fees also vary depending on geographical location and access arrangements which can add considerable extra time.