A prospective buyer contacted SERL following recommendations from their RICS chartered surveyor. We are endorsed for our recognised expertise and independence.
The buyer needed a structural engineer’s report for a property in the Worcester Park area to address issues highlighted by their mortgage surveyor, who found structural concerns before approving the loan. Specifically, there were substantial cracks in the roof space, approximately 35mm wide.
The buyer identified a chartered structural engineer as the appropriate professional to provide the necessary specialist opinion.
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 property exhibited significant cracking of some 30-40mm wide within the party wall in the loft as indicated by the photograph.
The cracks did not extend down into the habitable rooms below which had not been decorated for decades so were clearly very historic.
The floors sloped significantly in the associated area which was longstanding. The front bay sloped down hill from right to left but was also old movement.
We concluded that the cracking and movement in the property were either historical or minor, allowing us to provide a positive report for the buyer.
We recommended a budget of £5,000 for necessary repairs on the property. This meant that the buyer could move forward with the purchse.