Building Survey Vs Structural Survey – What’s the Difference

Integrity

We offer honest and detailed consultations to assist our clients in realising their project aspirations. We approach every project with unwavering dedication, regardless of its size or value.

Knowledge

We take pride in our continuous pursuit of knowledge, using it to enhance project efficiency and deliver top-quality services, ultimately achieving our clients’ aspirations.

Teamwork

We prioritise the development of strong relationships because we recognise the benefits of working in professional partnerships with everyone involved in a project.

Building Survey Vs Structural Survey: What’s the Difference?

Whether you’re buying a new property or renovating an existing one, it’s often important to get a survey. However, there are different types of surveys and understanding which type you need is crucial.

In particular, many people often get confused between building surveys and structural surveys. While there are similarities, there are also many key differences, and it’s important you get the right one for your property.

At IKT Consulting, we provide leading structural engineering services to domestic and commercial clients across Nottingham and beyond. In this article, we’ll take a look at building surveys and structural surveys, explaining the key differences and when each is appropriate.

Read on for more information…

What is a building survey?

A building survey, also known as a RICS Level 3 building survey, is overseen by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors. It is the most comprehensive general property survey available to people purchasing a home. It is designed to give people a detailed overview of a property’s condition and is suitable for older, unusual or buildings that have been significantly altered. It is the highest level of survey when buying a house, and is much more extensive than a Level 1 Home condition Survey or a Level 2 HomeBuyer Report.

What does a building survey cover?

A building survey will assess a property as a whole, taking in everything from the structure to the materials. A RICS-accredited surveyor will inspect all parts of the property, inside and out, documenting all defects, maintenance needs and potential problems.

Key areas that are examined include:

Roofs, walls, floors, ceilings, windows and doors
Drainage, plumbing, heating and visible electrical systems
Materials
Outbuildings, chimneys, roof space and surrounding grounds
Issues like damp, rot and leaks

Once the inspection has been completed, a report will be provided which highlights all visible defects, hidden problems, urgency of repairs and sometimes even cost estimates. This will help you make informed decisions when it comes to purchases and renovations.

When is a building survey needed?

A building survey is highly recommended when:

Buying a property, especially older houses, non-standard builds or those with visible repair needs
Assessing a property that is unusual or unique. This includes historic properties.
If you want a comprehensive understanding of a property’s overall condition

In essence, a building survey is a full health check of a property. It offers peace of mind and added insights before any further financial commitments are made.

What is a structural survey?

A structural survey is a specialist assessment that is carried out by a qualified structural or civil engineer. This survey concentrates on the load-bearing elements of a building, making sure it is structurally sound.

This type of survey is especially valuable when there are particular concerns about stability or when planning major alterations.

What does a structural survey cover?

The focus of a structural survey is the safety and stability of a building. Typically, it will look at:

Foundations
Load-bearing walls, columns, beams and joists
Floors, ceilings and roof structures
Cracks, movement and other structural damage
The structural impact of any previous renovations

A report will be created outlining all the technical details and assessing the severity and causes of any structural issues. Remedial recommendations will be made and sometimes will include calculations or drawings for planned alterations. In some cases, structural surveys can be more invasive than other survey types in order to properly assess any hidden structural problems.

When is a structural survey needed?

Structural surveys are recommended when:

There are suspected or known structural issues like cracks, subsidence or movement
Planning major alterations, extensions, loft conversions or removing load-bearing walls
A previous survey has recommended a deeper investigation

In short, a structural survey is the go-to survey when structural integrity is the primary concern.

Building survey vs structural survey

Many people confuse building and structural surveys due to the fact that they both assess property condition and terminology can overlap. There are a few key differences to help you understand which type is right for you:

Scope: Building surveys provide a comprehensive overview of the entire property. This includes maintenance issues and defects. In contrast, structural surveys focus solely on the structural elements and their safety.
Purpose: Building surveys will help you make purchase decisions by identifying potential repairs. Structural surveys will address structural safety, stability and compliance that is necessary for major alterations.
Professional: Building surveys are carried out by chartered surveyors, whereas structural surveys will need a qualified structural engineer.
Level of detail: Building surveys tend to be non-invasive, examining areas that are accessible. Alternatively, structural surveys may be more intrusive as they need to accurately assess all the load-bearing elements.
Output: Building surveys result in detailed reports which outline defects and provide advice. Structural surveys produce technical assessments which include information about the causes, severity and recommendations for structural problems.

Do I need a chartered surveyor or a structural engineer?

What type of survey you need will depend on your specific requirements:

If you’re buying a property: Usually, a building survey from a chartered surveyor will be able to provide a full overview of a property, including its defects and maintenance needs.
If you’re planning structural changes: If you’re removing walls, extending a property, converting a loft or doing any work that impacts the structure of a property, then a structural survey from a structural engineer is needed.
If a building survey has flagged issues: If you suspect structural problems or a building survey has highlighted problems, a follow-up structural survey will be the way to go.

At IKT Consulting, we specialise in structural surveys and engineering assessments for homeowners, landlords, architects, contractors and developers in Nottingham and beyond. We combine technical expertise with a broad knowledge of structural requirements to create reports that give you all the information you need to make a confident decision. When structural integrity is at stake, only qualified structural engineers can help and provide the level of assessment you need. For more information, get in touch with our team today.

    
 
 
       Posted on Google  
   
   Amy Lonergan 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Daniel came to visit our property due to some internal cracking we had noted. He was polite, friendly and extremely knowledgeable. A full report was recieved less than 10 days after the initial visit with detailed recommendations to ensure any issues are rectified. I would 100 percent recommend and look forward to working with Daniel again when we build our extension 😀  Many thanks!
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   andrew Buxton 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I required a company to carry out structural surveys on a customer's external fire escapes. I contacted IKT Consulting LTD  to carry out the surveys on my behalf. I found IKT Consulting Ltd to be very professional with an outstanding attitude towards customer service. The reports were very thorough and I would have no hesitation in using IKT Consulting LTD for future projects.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   victoria evans 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Daniel has been great from start to finish the multiple times we have used him. We run a small construction company and are always in need of a good engineer we can trust and is reliable. Daniel always returns calls if he is not available at the time and has a wealth of knowledge that is always extremely helpful. I would highly recommend
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   S Hussain 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We recently purchased our house in Derby and required a steel beam calculation in January 24. During his visit to our house, he gave great alternative options for our kitchen/dining room design which resulted in us being able to maximise our space and natural light. Daniel Ikotun at IKT was extremely helpful, accommodating, professional and provided a very fast turnaround. Very good value and expert advice. Thanks again Daniel, would recommend your services to anyone looking for structural engineering support.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Craig Pearce 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Great experience with IKT Consulting Engineers LTD! From start to finish, they demonstrated unparalleled professionalism, expertise, and dedication to our project. If you're in need of top-notch structural engineering services, look no further than IKT Consulting Engineers LTD. They are truly the best in the business, and I cannot recommend them highly enough!
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Garry Saunders 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Daniel has gone above and beyond on my project and was extremely helpful throughout. I couldn’t have asked for more.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   David Swinscoe 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. As a company, we have engaged with IKT Consulting LTD several times for our structural survey requirements. We commend Marie and the entire company for their prompt service, reliability, and meticulous attention to detail. Our ongoing commitment to using IKT Consulting LTD is a testament to their consistent service
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Linzi Clark 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We are in the process of buying a house and had several structural issues flagged on the home buyers survey and was advised to have specific structural survey undertaken. I came across IKT Consulting online and decided to instruct them to undertake the survey. The engineer, Daniel, kindly offered to chat things through with me before the survey, gave me a call after the survey to give me the results, issued the report promptly, and then agreed to chat through the report with me after I'd had time to digest it. His explanations were super clear, jargon free, and really put my mind at ease about the necessary works. I really can't fault IKT Consulting - so glad I found them.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Ruth C 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I recently purchased a house and decided to remove x2 chimney breasts in upstairs bedroom and downstairs kitchen diner.   The builder went into the loft to inspect and discovered it was not safe to remove the chimney breast.  The builder suggested getting a structural engineer to have a look and this is where IKT consulting was recommended to me. The company sent the relevant information and specifications to the builders to proceed with the work.  The structural engineer also sent me the same information on what was to be done and explained the reasons why. This being my first home, I felt reassured as the engineer and I discussed the work in the loft. He was clear, concise and his knowledge was truly informative giving me great confidence in the company. Throughout the job, the engineer was consistent keeping on top of what was going on and liaised with the builders as well as myself.  As an outcome, I received a completion document from the company.  I was amazed from start to finish with how efficient, precise and organised the structural engineer was especially his communication between myself and builder.  I would highly recommend IKT and will use again myself if needed. Thank you IKT Consulting!
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Catherine Jeynes 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I asked Daniel to assess the structural safety of a previous internal wall removal after cracks appeared in the wall on the floor above it. Before he came he gave clear advice about what areas needed to be exposed in order to be able to carry out his assessment and while he was carrying out his assessment he even gave me some advice about other structural issues around my home. He was friendly and professional throughout and I was really struck by how much he cared about the safety of the homes of those he visits. He prepared the report very quickly after the assessment (even though it was over the Christmas holidays) and when I had follow up questions he gave prompt and clear responses. I have been so impressed with his work ethic and his knowledge and intend to ask him back to sign off the work once it has been completed.