What is a Specific Defect survey?

Specific Defect Surveys (also known as Specific Structural Surveys or Specific Structural Inspections) examine a property’s structure or condition for particular defects. During the inspection, any related building matters will also be addressed. The survey goes into a similar level of detail to a Full Building Survey, but does not cover the whole property, just the specific area of concern.

If you are concerned about a particular aspect of the property but think the rest of the property is safe, a Specific Defect Survey may be appropriate.

It is possible that you are concerned about something you have seen in a property you wish to buy. An inspection of the structure would allow you to determine the extent of the issue and the cost to rectify it, allowing you to decide whether to proceed with the purchase or renegotiate the price.

Sometimes another surveyor will recommend further investigation by a structural engineer (particularly if their firm does not have engineers as part of the team). Other times, mortgage companies will not lend a mortgage until a structural report covering a specific defect has been provided.

Alternatively, you may also want to take a look at something in your own house before doing any building work, perhaps for peace of mind. A structural alterations survey can determine whether a property is suitable for alterations. For example, surveys in assessing whether walls are load-bearing, or whether support beams are required to allow chimney breast removal.

There may be times when a vendor wishes to get a second opinion on an issue raised in a purchaser’s survey in order to aid negotiations. It is particularly important for a surveyor to assess cracks in order to determine whether they are superficial or a result of subsidence