What Is a Structural Survey?
A Structural Survey is a detailed inspection and assessment of a building’s structural form, materials and condition. For residential blocks of flats, including high-rise and higher-risk buildings, structural surveys are essential to understand how a building is constructed, how it performs, and whether there are any defects or risks that could affect safety, durability or compliance.
Our structural surveys support both general asset management needs and specific requirements under the Building Safety Act, including the preparation and maintenance of Building Safety Cases for submission to the Building Safety Regulator (BSR).
Who Our Structural Surveys Are For
We provide structural surveys for:
- Social housing registered providers
- Accountable Persons and Principal Accountable Persons
- Managing agents and freeholders
- Developers and building owners
- Local authorities
Covering:
- Low-, mid- and high-rise residential blocks
- Higher-Risk Buildings (HRBs)
- Traditional and non-traditional construction types
Why Structural Surveys Are Important
Structural surveys help you to:
- Identify the structural construction type and load-bearing elements
- Understand building behaviour and potential failure mechanisms
- Support Building Safety Case reports
- Provide assurance to the Building Safety Regulator
- Identify defects, deterioration and movement
- Prioritise remedial works and manage risk
- Support planned maintenance and capital investment decisions
Our Structural Survey Process
We deliver a clear, evidence-based approach aligned with regulatory and best-practice guidance.
- Pre-Survey Review
We review available information including:
- Existing drawings, specifications and O&M manuals
- Previous surveys, intrusive investigations and reports
- Fire risk and building safety information
This helps us tailor the survey to the building’s age, height, construction type and risk profile.
- On-Site Structural Inspection
Our structural engineers and surveyors carry out visual, non-intrusive inspections (with intrusive investigations where instructed) focusing on:
- Primary structural frame (concrete, steel, masonry or timber)
- Floors, columns, beams and load-bearing walls
- Balconies, canopies and appendages
- Foundations (where visible)
- Movement, cracking, corrosion and deterioration
- Signs of overloading, alteration or structural distress
For high-rise buildings, particular attention is given to robustness, progressive collapse risk and long-term durability.
- Defect Identification & Risk Assessment
We identify and observe:
- Structural defects and deterioration mechanisms
- Potential design or construction issues
- Maintenance-related failures
- Risks to safety, serviceability or compliance
Findings are clearly prioritised based on severity and urgency.
Structural Surveys for Building Safety Cases
Our surveys are specifically structured to support Building Safety Case preparation, providing:
- Confirmation of structural form and materials
- Evidence of current structural condition
- Identification of structural hazards and control measures
- Input into the Safety Case Report and Golden Thread of Information
- Clear, auditable documentation suitable for BSR review
We work collaboratively with fire engineers, asset managers and duty holders to ensure a coordinated approach.
Expected Outputs & Deliverables
You will receive clear, practical and regulator-ready outputs, including:
- Structural Survey Report
- Description of construction type and structural system
- Photographic evidence and annotated plans (where available)
- Schedule of observed defects and deterioration
- Risk-based recommendations for further investigation or remedial works
- Commentary suitable for inclusion in Building Safety Case documentation
- Professional opinion on structural condition and performance
Reports are written in clear language suitable for both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
Why Choose Us?
- Experience with high-rise and higher-risk residential buildings
- Strong understanding of the Building Safety Act and BSR expectations
- Surveys tailored to both regulatory compliance and asset management
- Clear, proportionate advice focused on risk and safety
- Independent, evidence-based professional assessments