A structural engineer report answers one question with authority: is this defect structurally significant, and what should be done about it? Where a building survey describes the whole property, the engineer's inspection targets the specific concern — and produces the document lenders, insurers, buyers and building control take seriously.

What the engineer inspects and reports on

• Cracking and movement — distinguishing cosmetic and seasonal cracking from progressive movement that needs intervention (see also our dedicated crack assessment service).
• Sagging floors, bowing walls and roof spread — cause, severity and remedial design.
• Alterations of concern — removed chimney breasts and walls with no visible support, overloaded lofts, undocumented DIY work discovered during a purchase.
• Pre-purchase follow-ups — the targeted engineer's opinion your Level 3 survey or defect report recommends, delivered fast enough to protect your exchange date.

What the report contains

Inspection findings with photographs, the probable cause of the defect, an assessment of severity and progression risk, and — the part that saves money — a proportionate remedial recommendation with outline specification, so builders can price the fix like-for-like. Where monitoring is the right answer rather than repair, the report says so; where further investigation is needed (drains, trial pits), it scopes exactly what.

Fees and timescales

Fixed fees quoted before instruction, with reports typically 5–10 working days from inspection and faster turnarounds for purchase deadlines — typical figures in our structural engineer cost guide. Unsure whether you need an engineer or a surveyor first? Our guide to structural engineer surveys explains the sequence — or just call and describe the problem.

Describe the defect — get a fixed quote →