Which survey do I need?

There are two types of Structural Surveys:

If there is one area of the building where you are concerned about the specific condition you will require a Specific Defect Survey.

If you are concerned about the condition of a building structure then you will require a General Structural Inspection.

If you are in any doubt as to which survey is right for your needs then the BDI team will be able to help.

Specific Defect Survey

This is required when a particular structural problem has been identified and a further structural survey is required to determine its cause and significance.  BDI will visit the property, and undertake a visual examination of the defect to clarify the problem.  You will then receive a written report which details the significance of the defect and makes recommendations to remedy the situation.  In some cases the report may specify that further investigations such as ground investigations be undertaken to enable a more conclusive opinion.

A Specific Defect Survey takes around to 1 hour to complete on site, a report will be issued within 3 to 4 working days of the survey.

General Structural Surveys

Sometimes an appraisal of the whole building structure is required to determine the structural condition of a building; this is referred to as a General Structural Inspection.
A General Structural Inspection provides a professional opinion on all the structural elements of a building.  A qualified Engineer from the BDI team will visit the property to conduct the survey which focuses on the structural condition of roofs, internal walls, external walls and floors. In addition the survey will consider any evidence of foundation problems.

Once we have conducted the survey we will explain any defects identified within the report, provide our opinion on the cause of any problems, recommend any necessary repairs and provide an estimated cost of repair to assist you in planning your budget.

A General Structural Inspection takes upwards of 2 hours to complete on site, depending on the size of the building. A report will be issued within 5 working days of the survey.