Building Surveying: What to Expect from a Condition Survey

A condition survey is an independent inspection of a building's state of repair, carried out before you commit to a purchase, a refurbishment or a loan. It protects you by creating a documented baseline of what is actually there.

The surveyor examines the fabric of the building: roofs, facades, structural elements, waterproofing, services and finishes. They identify defects, note their severity and estimate the cost of putting them right.

Importantly, a good survey tells you what the building does not have — such as the damp-proofing or fire separation you assumed was there, but is not.

The output is a clear report in plain language, with photographs and a prioritised schedule of works. You can then negotiate on price, adjust your plans, or walk away with your money intact.

For lenders and investors, the same discipline applied as technical due diligence gives a defensible view of the risk attached to an asset. That is why our reports are trusted by banks as well as owners.