SERL was contacted by a prospective buyer based on recommendations from their chartered surveyor. They had endorsed us for our reputation as an independent, and highly experienced structural engineering company specialising in Structural Engineers Reports for residential properties in Islington and the North London area.
The buyer required us to examine the property for any indications of movement, due to its significant age. Additionally, the installation of modern steel beams in the basement necessitated an engineering evaluation, as it presented a somewhat unusual situation.
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 report.
The property was a traditional mid-terrace family home, built between the mid and late 1800s.
Its construction featured solid brick external walls with suspended timber floors and roof framing, adhering to conventional building methods.
The accommodation spanned three floors without any contemporary changes, such as extensions or wall removals.
Unusually we found that all three floors of the property had not had any structural works done, such as extensions or wall removals.
The property displayed typical signs of historical settling but showed no evidence of any historical or recent movement.
We were satisfied that the modern day steel beams were installed only for the purposes of re‑levelling the ground floor and were therefore, fit for purpose.
We were able to report to the buyer within a day of inspecting and they were very pleased with our advice.