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.