An introduction to cracks

Many people often have concerns about cracks present in their homes or those they plan to purchase. Whether the cracks are small or large, there is often uncertainty regarding their severity. This second article in the series explains “cracking” in more detail and provides guidance on when it is necessary to be concerned. Additionally, it aims to reassure readers that not all cracks are indicative of serious issues.

A background to cracks

It is only natural that cracks in a property can cause concern. Whist many cracks turn out not to be serious, those which become a genuine concern, can start off as small, minor cracks. Cracks in buildings can also cause concerns among surveyors, lenders, and insurers, which can result in challenges when buying and selling property and occasionally impact property prices.

Firstly, it’s important to say that most building materials occasionally crack. At the smaller end of the scale they shrink and expand due to changes in the environment. Those changes might be due to stresses and strains, which can lead to more significant implications, or just changes in moisture or temperature levels from one season to the next. These are less problematic. The more brittle the material, the more likely it is to be prone to cracking when exposed to any changes in its environment. This is why modern plaster and some external renders crack so easily due to their brittleness.

The most common building materials seen with cracks are either internal plaster or external brickwork and cement renders.

Most people notice cracks inside their homes first, as they are constantly exposed to this environment. And cracks on the exterior may also be quite noticeable, especially those near the front door. However, cracks in less obvious areas outside, such as the sides of the house or hidden behind garden shrubs, often go unnoticed by many homeowners. We often point these out during our surveys revealing that the owner were unaware of them.

Some small cracks might be recent but are continuing to widen so could be a problem in the future, whereas a larger crack might be very old and dormant, therefore less of a concern.

We need to differentiate between cracks which are a personal concern of the homeowner, and those which present a structural concern. The two are quite different and so Engineers and Surveyors need to appreciate this point. Cracks which worry many homeowners, and indeed those Surveyors associated with mortgage Surveys, may only range from a hairline width to perhaps 2 or 3mm wide.

In contrast, a Chartered Structural Engineer and the building industry does not, in general, become concerned until a crack widths is typically 5mm wide AND is becoming progressively wider. That said, as Structural Engineers we understand the concerns of owners and buyers and the practical issues associated with obtaining mortgages and Building Insurance.

A good Structural Engineer will appraise the implications of any cracks and present the report in a way that is readily understood by the public and crucially reflect both their concerns and the practical implications for obtaining mortgages and building Subsidence Insurance.

When construction projects are in progress and in the event, neighbouring buildings are damaged, the Party Wall Etc Act 1996 usually deals with the resulting damage and there is time to investigate and propose alternative solutions. In contrast, at the point of sale, Structural Engineers do not have the luxury of time to investigate, dig holes and monitor cracks, so a more decisive conclusion must be reached to assist the buying process.

The much quoted Burland Scale which categorises cracks together with the British Research Establishment Document number 251 1995, will be the subject of a future article.

Minor cracking

The following might help you when looking at cracks that are between a hairline to 3mm range.

Cracks which are not usually a problem

• A crack that is located in a non load-bearing structure, such as a lightweight partition or in a piece of wooden joinery. Be aware that some timber stud walls can be load-bearing.
• An internal crack that occurs at a junction between abutting a wall or between a wall and the ceiling.
• A crack which only occurs internally, within an external wall, but does not occur in about same location externally.
• A very old, dark and dusty crack, which occurs in a structural wall, inside and outside in the same location but shows no signs of ongoing movement. Simple correct resin repairs may be the solution to keep the property strong and robust. A further article regarding crack repairs will appear soon. 

But what about more serious cracks?

Cracks which are either larger, more than 5mm, and smaller cracks of a particular type which progressively become larger, may be a cause for concern.

As we have said previously, there is a distinction between cracks which are of personal concern for the homeowner compared to cracks which are of a structural concern and where major repair might be required. A homeowner who isn’t planning on moving may well be able to take longterm pragmatic action towards the cracks which occur in their home, providing they receive the correct structural advice and are subsequently reassured. In contrast, even small but progressive cracks can cause disruption to the buying and selling process and so it’s important to consider the position of the reader.

Identifying more serious cracks

In general terms, cracks which are of some structural concern usually include the following:

• Recent cracks in external walls, throughout the thickness of the wall, appearing both inside and out and seem to be getting wider year on year. In London and the Home Counties, London Clay and trees combined tend to cause most subsidence cracks. A future article will look at geology, trees and the general causes of subsidence.
• Diagonal AND tapered cracks in external walls, inside and out. These types of cracks tend to propagate from the top of a building and move downwards, as a result of what we call rotational movement of a building. This is perhaps counterintuitive when considering foundation movement and subsidence as many people might reasonably look for cracks close to the ground first! Subsidence and crack pattern will be explained in a future article.
• Cracks wider than 2 or 3mm may concern a pre-purchase surveyor and impact the sale transaction process even though the damage is slight in structural engineering terms.
• Cracks wider than 5mm start to become more serious to the structural engineer and whilst safety is not an issue, it becomes more important to establish causation and properly engineered repair solutions.
• Cracks larger than about 20 to 25mm can start to impact structural performance and possibly safety so must be taken very seriously.

Conclusions

Cracks can elicit strong emotions in property owners, buyers and lenders, and Insuring Institutions.

The reasons for worrying about cracks are understood by an experienced and expert Chartered Structural Engineer, who can normally provide reassurance and clear guidance for action and repairs.

In general, Structural Engineers and the building Industry tend not to worry about smaller scale cracks as they rarely have an impact on the structural performance of a building and can usually be repaired easily and inexpensively, much like a dent in the bodywork of a car. Preventing cracks from reoccurring, however, is often more challenging, similar to preventing dents on a car.

In summary, cracking in general tends to worry many people perhaps unnecessarily, particularly during the stressful period of buying and selling property.

This article has given advice for what to look for in cracks, either minor or more serious, but must be regarded as very general advice since each and every property is different.

A Chartered Structural Engineer with specialist knowledge on cracks in residential buildings is the most appropriate property consultant to advise you on such matters.

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Simon Pole BSc C Eng FIStructE MICE MRICS MAE

Simon is well known within the profession and has regularly provided training courses and lectured at The Institution Of Structural Engineers and the Party Wall Society together at numerous firms of Chartered Surveyors.

SERL Pole Structural Engineers Reports is a specialist company advising all manner of buyers, sellers and owners of residential property in London and the surrounding area.

This article, together with several further blogs to be published shortly, is an introduction to cracks in buildings, explaining in simple terms what they are, why they occur, whether they are something to worry about and what to do about them.

This article introduces the topic and covers:

• What is a crack?
• Why do we worry about cracks.

Introduction to cracks

Cracks are, understandably, a very emotive subject. Our property is usually our largest financial investment and anything which appears to damage it, can be a worry. The very mention of cracks conjures up images of something breaking or not being strong enough and, in rare cases, be a significant problem involving health and safety. Normally cracks are just a nuisance that can be dealt with quite routinely. Whilst repairs are often routine, the prospect of them reoccurring is often high and reducing the risk of them reoccurring or eliminating such risks in the future is far more difficult. A structural Engineer can help you appraise this risk. See later article on Building Insurance issues.

In most scenarios, cracks are more routinely repaired, a bit like a dent in the bodywork of a car, and can normally be lived with. This article provides clarity on the subject and offers some reassurance.

1. What is a crack?

In simple terms cracks are the “pulling apart” of brittle materials, whether bricks, plaster or render.

Most domestic property is built using clay bricks, which are strong when compressed but relatively weak when pulled apart or “in tension”.

Cracks generally occur when there is a change of circumstance or environment either to the wall surface itself, for example temperature or moisture changes, or more significantly when there are changes to the volume of the supporting subsoil:

• • Changes in moisture and temperature result in minor effects such as normal plaster or render cracks.
  • Where there has been recent building work there may be slight changes to weight loading stresses.
  • When all other factors are stable but there are changes in ground conditions, for example, the drying out of London Clay soil due to trees sucking moisture from the soil, can cause varying degrees of cracking. See later articles.

2. Why do we worry about cracks in our homes?

Whether buying or selling a home, cracks can be a major issue, and up to 75% of our Structural Engineers Reports for properties in London and the surrounding area, arise at the point of sale for this reason. The remaining 25% tend to be for existing homeowners worried about cracks and whether they should notify their Insurance Company.

There are all manner of reasons to be concerned about matters of movement and cracking, whether buying or selling, as a Surveyor of property responsible for mortgage valuation or as a bank, Building Society or an Insurance company considering household insurance risks. Solicitors and Estate Agents advising the various parties will also want to understand the risks involved.

Cracks of any sort tend to be a warning for what could be a problem. They may not necessarily an issue but their sudden appearance and widening over time or reoccurring in newly decorated walls may indicate a problem. It is the not knowing which often causes concern and the need for our advice and reporting.

Other professions will not mind me saying that it is only when a Chartered Structural Engineer inspects and reports on cracking and movement that the client tends to be completely reassured. The training of other property professionals might include a general awareness of cracking and movement but their many areas of expertise covers so many other aspects that they cannot be expected to be experts in each particular specialism. Much like a GP Doctor who will provide an initial opinion, then refer the patient to a specialist for particular aches and pains within those particular organs, muscles and tendons etc.

For the above reasons it is increasingly common for Surveyors and other property professionals to recommend a structural engineers report.

More detailed articles will shortly appear to assist each property profession but the following points are the key reasons why each party to a typical property sale might have cause for concern:

• • • The homeowner

You have an immediate vested interest and therefore need to be reassured that your property is safe and strong, whether simple repairs are required or more detailed investigations and repairs may be required. You could also need advice before notifying your insurance company, either in general or for concern of non disclosure, which may jeopardise a future insurance claim, increased premium or even removal of subsidence cover. Some Insurance companies ask for a structural Engineers Report to accompany a claim in the first place.

• • • Selling your Home

Discerning vendors and their selling Agent are more often obtaining a Structural Engineers Report at the commencement of marketing their property, either generally or because of a specific crack or structural defect which they have not repaired, which might concern a prospective buyer.

Providing a Structural Engineers Report pre sale can reassure potential buyers and provides transparency, which increases confidence for the buyer.

All too often we are asked to report for buyers at the eleventh hour, for example, prior to the exchange of contracts and the buyer becomes nervous quite unnecessarily.

• • • The buyer

Most Structural Engineers Reports stem from the General Survey (RICS level 2 or 3) link to RICS or during the Bank Surveyors mortgage valuation. Our report may, therefore, either be for the peace of mind of the buyer or might become a third party requirement. It is particularly important the Structural Engineers Report is prepared by a fully qualified, Chartered Structural Engineer (CEng MIStructE qualifications), since only they will normally have both the expertise and minimum qualifications expected by the Bank, Building Society or Insurance company. Note, a graduate Engineer or Associate Member of a Built environment profession is not a chartered Structural Engineer so do check this carefully to avoid the need for paying for two reports.

A good Structural Engineers Report should provide clear, jargon free advice indicating whether you are able to proceed with the purchase or not, and if any repairs might be involve together with an order of cost.

• • • The Estate Agent

A discerning Estate Agent will appreciate the benefits of an early Structural Engineers Report, to indicate anything serious and for the vendor to have a report they can show to prospective purchasers. This can avoid the last minute problems created by waiting to see whether the buyer or their Surveyor or solicitor calls for a last minute Structural report.

• • • Buyers Surveyor or valuation survey

The majority of Structural Engineers Reports stem from a general Survey of some sort, whether for the buyer or the lender. If they are via the mortgage or Insurance provider they will be essential. If they are for your own peace of mind but a strong recommendation by your GP Surveyor then of course most people will take this advice. It is important, however, to clarify with the Surveyor and specifically what the structural concerns are. For example, are they confined to one particular crack in a bay window, or are there general concerns for the entire property. Most firms of Engineers offer two distinct types of report with different price points; either a specific defect report only or a more general movement report.

• • • Buyers Solicitor

A discerning conveyance solicitor will strongly recommend obtaining various specialist reports or a Surveyors report. This might not be confined to cracks and movement but increasingly common is if there has been any structural alterations, walls or chimneybreasts removed etc without Local Authority Building Regulations consent. Note this is not the same as Town Planning or permitted Development rights.

• • • Buyers lender

The bank or Building Society will need to understand whether any structural issues raised by the Surveyor are serious. The context for this is financial risk generally but particularly in the unlikely event of a repossession and whether the property is easily resold.

If there are expensive structural repairs involved and a mortgage applicant is heavily dependent on a large mortgage with few savings, they might not be able to fund the repairs.

• • • Insurance Companies

Whether for a current owner or for new Insurance associated with a purchase and mortgage offer, Insurers play an important role which is often misunderstood.

For an owner, an Insurance company may receive notification of an insurance claim for repairs. For a buyer, the prospective Insurer will want to know whether there are any current problems with the property or whether there is pre-existing damage.

Insurers are only in the business of Insuring for certain repairs which are not covered by routine maintenance; for example, fire, flood or subsidence. They are not interested in general maintenance, routine repair or neglect. Crucially they only deal with essential repairs to subsidence damaged property, for example, and are not obliged to prevent similar damage from reoccurring in the future. They do not deal with defective design or workmanship issues by a builder or a designers’ shortfall. A more detailed article will follow.

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It’s important to be able to distinguish between settlement and subsidence cracks as settlement is normally historic, not normally a problem but not insurable whilst subsidence, might be an ongoing problem and can derail the buying and selling process if not reported properly.

What is settlement?

Settlement is downward movement caused by the weight of a new building squashing the soil beneath it. Settlement normally occurs in the first few years following construction and tended to occur in period properties many years ago.

Once a property has been standing for about five years, settlement should be complete. This means that any further signs of movement will probably be due to subsidence.

Modern properties and extensions, which have been built correctly, should not experience much settlement, provided the foundations have been designed properly by a qualified structural engineer.

Current building regulations require minimum foundation depths and soil bearing pressures to limit settlement; however local authorities do not always insist on future proofing foundations against foreseeable tree root growth on clay soils. So, although the foundations comply with regulations at the time of construction, in time they might experience subsidence if they have not been designed properly by a qualified chartered structural engineer.

Some conservatories and other minor structures, which don’t need to comply with building regulations, can experience settlement if their foundations are not deep enough.

Settlement is not normally an “Insured Peril” under household buildings Insurance whereas subsidence normally is, but you should check for exclusions.

What is subsidence?

Subsidence is the downward movement of the soil beneath a property’s foundation and is independent of any weight loading. Most subsidence is minor and can be easily repaired but on occasions it can lead to more significant problems. Our job is to assess the extent of the problem and the future risks involved.

Which buildings are most affected by subsidence?

All types of buildings can be affected by subsidence including old and new properties.

Older properties built on clay soil are particularly susceptible. This is because clay soils tend to shrink in dry weather causing the building to subside. Properties built on sand or gravel can also be liable to erosion and subsidence but this is far less common than when clay soils are involved.

What causes subsidence?

The main cause of subsidence is the drying shrinkage of clay soil in periods of draught, normally made worse by tree roots sucking moisture from the soil.

Less common is the washing away of fine soils like sand and silt when drains are defective.

Clay soil shrinkage

Clay soil has a high-water content, typically 30%. Warm weather and drought can cause clay soil to shrink and move downwards as the water within in is removed and its volume reduces. This, in turn, leads to distortions of the building, normally tilting and rotation with consequent cracking to brickwork and finishes.

Poor foundations

Building regulations have changed in recent decades to ensure modern houses have greater resilience from subsidence. Period properties may be at greater risk because of shallower foundations and poor ground conditions.

Trees

Trees growing near and beneath a property’s foundation can cause the ground to shrink and subside. Tree roots can extend as far as the height of the tree. Ie the taller it gets the further the roots spread.

Many street trees are located within three to five metres of the frontage of many houses. They are often pollarded by local authorities to reduce the risk of subsidence, while also maintaining the amenity benefits of trees.

Defective drainage

Another common cause of subsidence is a defective drainage system, typically when sited in sandy soil or other loose material such as gravel. If the drainpipes are displaced, with open joints, loose soil enters the drains and is washed away, leading to erosion and voids beneath foundations with consequent loss of support causing subsidence.

How can you tell if a house has subsidence?

Some of the tell-tale signs of subsidence include corresponding interior and exterior cracks, often diagonal and normally emanating from the TOP (not bottom) of a wall. Cracks might start small and can easily be repaired IF it is foreseeable that they will not continuous reoccur and become much worse over time. It is the role of the Chartered Structural Engineer to assess these risks and advise accordingly.

A Structural Engineer’s General Movement report will determine the nature and extent of the subsidence, advise on future risks of a recurrence and make recommendations for repairing any damage that has been caused, and give an indication of the likely costs.

How is subsidence fixed?

The scope of repairs is very dependent upon the severity of the damage, the cause of the damage and the risks of it reoccurring if remedial actions are not taken.

Most period property experiences minor damage from time to time and simple cosmetic repairs might be all that is needed. If large trees are involved (on clay soils) or if the drains have failed (on sandy lose soils), works to said trees and drains may be necessary. Only in the most extreme cases where trees cannot be controlled (Eg Due to not owning the tree or preservation order etc) and where damage is severe, underpinning may be necessary. This involves the “ deepening” of the foundations with concrete.

Pole Structural Engineers can assess and report, helping you decide how best to deal with the matter; indicating the nature of the damage, the likely cause and what actions are necessary to resolve.

If you suspect subsidence, please contact us so we can instigate a thorough inspection.

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On the residential property scene, whether buying and selling, or carrying out building work, the following descriptions are useful.

Chartered Surveyor

Often referred to as a “General Practice” Surveyor this surveyor will have a broad knowledge of property and a general understanding of buildings and construction, but not to the same extent as a Chartered Building Surveyor (see below).

The three main types of pre-purchase home survey or report are normally undertaken by a General Practice Chartered Surveyor and may include a valuation for mortgage purposes. These are:

RICS level 1 Home Survey – for conventional property, already in reasonable condition; involving a visual inspection and a simple traffic light system of reporting on condition but excluding advice on repairs and ongoing maintenance.

RICS level 2 Home Survey – an intermediate survey, involving more extensive inspection and reporting than level 1 for conventional construction in reasonable condition; with more detailed reporting on the condition and importance of the issues raised.

RICS level 3 Home Survey – for older larger or run down, unusual, or greatly altered properties or if planning major works. This more detailed report will identify issues of concern and probable cause and make recommendations for remedial works, sometimes with costs, if agreed in advance.

You can find more guidance about RICS Home Survey Reports at the RICS (Royal Institution Of Chartered Surveyors) website.

Chartered Building Surveyor

A Chartered Building Surveyor is more commonly hired for commercial construction projects, than a residential property and has a higher level of technical skills than a General Practice Surveyor. They are more likely to undertake RICS level 3 Home Surveys and are sometimes involved in specification and design work, supervision, and arrangement of building works. They would not normally advise on valuation. A Building Surveyor may also undertake further investigations of defects uncovered during the various RICS surveys, of a non-structural nature such as water ingress problems.

Quantity Surveyor

A Quantity Surveyor is an accountant of the building industry. They specialise in providing independent costing advice for building works and repairs and require technical drawings and specifications to price accurately.

Chartered Structural Engineer with CEng MIStructE qualifications

A properly qualified Chartered Structural Engineer is the best person to appraise any sort of structural problem such as cracking, movement, or issues with floors, roofs, or bulging walls. CEng stands for Chartered Engineer, and MIStructE stands for member of the Institution of Civil Engineers.

Always look for a Structural Engineer with the proper qualifications and relevant experience. A Structural Engineer’s specialist expertise is important. For instance, a bridge or motorway design engineer will not be as knowledgeable about residential properties. This applies particularly to surveying older houses and period homes which benefit from years of hands-on experience, rather than numerical calculation and theory. So, it is essential to choose a Structural Engineer with the right skills and knowledge for the job.

Chartered Civil Engineer with CEng MICE qualifications

Some qualified Civil Engineers have diversified into the small-scale residential design sector and occasionally carry out residential reports. However, this is not commonplace, as most lenders and insurers stipulate the MIStructE qualification. As above, someone who is trained in the design of motorways and marine structures may not be suitable for a residential project unless their CV clearly indicates extensive experience in this area.

Graduate Engineers and part-qualified Engineers

We are aware of instances where homeowners have instructed postgraduate engineers who have only recently graduated or who have achieved an intermediate qualification but are not fully qualified Chartered Structural Engineers. This has led to abortive instructions and duplicate professional fees when lenders and insurers reject their reports because of insufficient qualifications regardless of experience, so do be careful.

Project Manager

Project Manager is a term that’s often misunderstood and should not be confused with being the manager of a building contractor. The building industry is dependent on the use of subcontractors for various trades such as electricians and plumbers. Subcontractors are usually hired by a building company known as the main contractor, which has been employed by the property owner. A project manager might be hired to help arrange, oversee, plan, and monitor the works on behalf of the client but it will be the main contractor or builder who is responsible for the delivery of the project.

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A Structural Engineer’s report is more specialised than a surveyor’s report. We often use the medical analogy of the surveyor being like a GP doctor and the Structural Engineer being the consultant. Their specialist knowledge goes beyond the general knowledge of a building surveyor.

Most structural engineering reports are commissioned when there are worries about cracking or movement in a building. Property owners, buyers, and surveyors will be concerned that the cracks indicate a structural problem, such as damage to the foundations. Cracks are often superficial and easily fixed, but wider cracks can be a sign that something serious is happening and should be inspected by a professional, fully qualified Structural Engineer.

Most of our reports are for clients buying property but we are also instructed by discerning homeowners who wish to obtain a report before putting their property on the market, or simply want peace of mind.

In most instances, we can offer reassurance, provide typical repair costs, and assess the future risks of any similar movement recurring. If matters are more severe, we will say so and, if you are a buyer, help you decide how to proceed, if at all.

We are unusual in offering two types of structural reports. Our clients can choose between having a general inspection or a more localised investigation if they are concerned about a specific area, but the rest of the property is generally sound.

Why does Pole offer two different types of structural reports?

The first type of structural report we offer is a GENERAL MOVEMENT REPORT. This is a comprehensive inspection to judge the overall structural soundness and condition of the building. Fees start at £1500+vat for apartments and houses less than 3,000sq ft or £3m in value.

The second type of structural report we offer is a DEFECT INSPECTION REPORT. This is for assessing a specific issue only, and therefore costs less than a more extensive General Movement Report. While other firms don’t make this distinction, we believe you should not have to pay unnecessarily for a full report when it is not required. Fees for a DEFECT INSPECTION REPORT start at £1,000 + vat.

All our reports are carried out by a fully qualified, professional Chartered Structural Engineer C Eng MIStructE, a status required by institutional lenders and insurance companies.

Always ensure that the individual engineer assigned to carry out your inspection holds this professional qualification. A person with only a degree such as BSC is not a qualified structural engineer. See FAQ 2.

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• RICS general surveys used to be called structural surveys.
• The industry term ‘survey’ is too broad without clarification.
• Lack of public knowledge about the work of Structural Engineers
• Incorrect use of the terms by lenders, insurers, agents and brokers
• Only a few structural engineers carry out Structural Engineers’ Reports.

It’s important for you to understand the difference between structural surveys and structural engineers’ reports, so you can be confident your building is structurally sound and safe.

What is a structural survey?

A structural survey should be a survey of the skeletal structure of a property, which is a Chartered Structural Engineer’s area of expertise.

A structural survey or report is still a misused term and can be used to mean a general building survey such as the Level 2 RICS Home Survey or Level RICS Building Survey.

So, be careful to clarify with your adviser whether they mean a surveyor’s report or a specialist Structural Engineers Report. If a specialist report is required, it’s important to hire a fully qualified Chartered Structural Engineer.

A general survey is normally sufficient for routine property purchases unless there are structural problems. As a rule, the RICS recommend a level 2 surveyors report for well-maintained modern apartments and smaller houses, and a level 3 survey for older properties, especially if unmodernised or in poor condition.

A surveyor’s report will examine the whole house including roof coverings, joinery, plumbing, plasterwork, gas services and more. A surveyor’s structural knowledge will vary, and some will report decisively while others will refer any concerns to specialist structural engineers like us at Pole.

A structural engineer’s report is a specialist report which inspects the structural integrity of the building only. This is basically the load-bearing components of the building, such as the roof, walls, floors, beams and associated defects like cracks, subsidence, or non-compliant building work.

In the absence of industry guidance for Structural Engineer’s Reports, we have defined our own two types of report:

Structural Engineers Defect Inspection Report for specific localised defects

Structural Engineers General Movement Report for multiple cracks or movement

A Structural Engineers Report is commonly requested when:

• A mortgage valuation surveyor has concerns such as cracks or movement
• A Surveyor carrying out a level 2 or level 3 survey (see above) has structural concerns.
• A buyer is concerned about a defect and might not have commissioned a surveyor’s report, although we recommend this.
• A vendor or estate agent becomes aware of a potential defect during the purchasing process and wants to understand the issue.
• A homeowner (not selling) is concerned about cracks or other defects in their property.

A Structural Engineers Report should really be called a Chartered Structural Engineers Report as almost all lenders and insurers expect such reports to be prepared by fully qualified MEMBERS or FELLOWS of the Institution of Structural Engineers. See FAQ 2.

Be aware there are numerous partially qualified Structural Engineers, graduates and associate levels of membership and building industry professional bodies with a range of qualifications. But many of these are not recognised by lenders and insurers.

Pole’s referrals come from the surveyors, solicitors, and estate agents we have worked with for over forty years in the industry, as well as social media recommendations.

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