Short answer: Book a structural inspection as soon as your offer is accepted and something structural comes up: cracks you saw at the viewing, a comment in the seller's property information, a recommendation in your RICS survey, or a request from your lender's valuer. Always have the report before you exchange contracts. At exchange you become legally committed to buy, and you will usually lose your deposit if you pull out. Allow about one to two weeks; with us, the visit is usually within a few working days and the report within 5 working days, or 48 hours with fast track.
Where the inspection fits in a purchase
- Offer accepted. Instruct your solicitor and book your RICS survey. If you already know about cracking, past subsidence or removed walls, book the engineer now too.
- Survey and mortgage valuation. If either recommends a structural engineer, book straight away rather than waiting for the solicitor's searches.
- Structural report. Read it, ask the engineer any questions, and send it to your solicitor.
- Enquiries and negotiation. Use the findings to ask the seller for documents, get repair quotes or renegotiate.
- Exchange of contracts. Only once you are happy with the answers.
- Completion.
Signs you should book an engineer before exchange
- Your surveyor or your lender's valuer recommends "a structural engineer's report".
- Cracks that are tapered, diagonal or stepped, or wider than about 3 mm.
- Sloping floors, sticking doors, or a bay or extension pulling away.
- Walls or chimney breasts removed, or a loft conversion or extension, especially without Building Control sign-off.
- Past subsidence, underpinning or an insurance claim mentioned by the seller.
- Large trees close to the house.
Why before exchange matters
Before exchange you can still ask questions, request documents, get quotes, renegotiate the price or walk away. After exchange you are committed and the problem becomes yours. A mortgage lender may also hold back its offer until it sees a structural engineer's report, so a late report can delay the whole chain.
What to ask the seller for
- Building Control completion certificates for removed walls, chimney breasts, extensions and loft conversions.
- Any earlier structural reports, crack monitoring results or certificates of structural adequacy.
- Details of any past insurance claims or underpinning, and whether the house is still insured on normal terms.
Give these to the engineer before the visit; they make the report more useful.
Booking with Laytoe Structures
Tell us your target exchange date when you ask for a quote. Most buyers book a General Structural Inspection, from £590* for a standard mid-terrace house. The visit is usually within a few working days, with weekend visits available for a small extra fee, and the report usually arrives within 5 working days, or 48 hours with fast track (from £120*). If you are not sure which inspection fits, see who to hire for a structural survey when buying in London, or request a quote and call 020 3983 5057.
* Prices are a guide only and VAT may be added.
Common questions
Can I get a structural inspection after exchange?
Yes, but by then you are committed to buy. Before exchange you can still renegotiate, ask the seller for documents or withdraw.
How long does a structural inspection take to arrange?
With us, the visit is usually within a few working days and the report within 5 working days, or 48 hours with fast track. Allow one to two weeks in your timetable.
Should I wait for my RICS survey before booking a structural engineer?
If you already know about a structural concern, book both at once to save time. Otherwise, book the engineer as soon as the survey or valuation flags something.
Who arranges access to the property?
Usually the estate agent, with the seller's agreement. Tell us the agent's details when you book.