Post-works structural inspection
An inspection once building work is finished, to confirm the structural work has been completed in line with the design.
About this service
A post-works structural inspection is a visit once building work is complete, to check that what has been built matches the structural design. We look at the visible structure against the drawings and specification, note anything that looks wrong or incomplete, and give you a clear record. It is a practical way to get independent assurance at the end of a job, priced from £300 + VAT.
The inspection is most valuable before the final payment to a builder and before finishes go on. Exposed steel, padstones, lintels, joist hangers and fixings tell an engineer a great deal. Once plasterboard, screed and decoration are in place, far less can be seen, so timing matters. If you can, tell us when the structure is complete but still visible, even if other trades are still working.
Post-works letters are often requested by lenders, buyers' solicitors or Building Control when there is doubt about an earlier project. Our report is signed off by a chartered engineer who is a Member of the Institution of Civil Engineers (MICE), and we can send it to Building Control and liaise with them directly. It records only what was visible, which keeps it honest and useful.
When you need it
- Building Control or a lender wants confirmation of completed structural works
- You want independent assurance before paying your contractor
- You're selling and need evidence that works were done properly
What's included
- Inspection of the visible completed works
- Check against the structural drawings and specification
- Notes on any items needing attention
How it works
- Share the designSend us the structural drawings, calculations and any revisions issued during the build. If we were not the designers, we review the documents first so we know exactly what should be on site.
- Agree scope and timingWe confirm which elements will be checked and a fixed fee in writing, and suggest the best time to visit so key structure is still exposed where possible.
- Site inspectionThe engineer checks beams, bearings, padstones, connections, lintels and visible foundations or ground beams against the design, taking photographs and noting deviations, missing items or workmanship concerns.
- Report and follow-upYou receive a post-works report or letter listing what was inspected, what conforms and any items needing attention. We can review remedial work once your builder has addressed those items.
What you receive
What a post-works inspection can and cannot confirm
The limit of any end-of-job inspection is what is hidden. Foundations poured months ago, steel connections boxed in and reinforcement buried in concrete cannot be confirmed by looking at finished surfaces. We will not certify concealed work we did not see. Where certainty matters, staged visits during construction are far better, such as a foundation excavation inspection or a structural steelwork inspection before boarding. Building Control also inspects at key stages, as explained in our guide to Building Control and structural work.
If the work was never designed or approved at all, a post-works inspection is not the right tool. Checking against drawings requires drawings to exist. In that situation a retrospective structural assessment is needed, which includes calculations and, often, opening up. Common findings on genuine post-works visits include missing padstones, steel bearing lengths shorter than specified, and joists packed rather than properly hung.
Not included
- Certification of concealed work we didn't inspect during construction
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a structural engineer to sign off an extension?
Building Control issues the formal completion certificate, not the engineer. However, Building Control, lenders or buyers sometimes ask for an engineer's letter confirming that the structure was built to the design. A post-works inspection provides that letter for the visible elements. It works best when the structure can still be seen before finishes are applied.
Can you inspect works designed by another engineer?
Yes. We review the other engineer's drawings and calculations before the visit and check the completed work against them. Our report comments on conformity with that design. It does not re-check or take responsibility for the original design itself, which remains with the designing engineer.
What if the inspection finds a problem?
We list each item, explain why it matters and suggest what your builder should do. Many issues, such as missing packing under a beam or an absent strap, are straightforward to fix. Once corrected, we can return to check them. Raising problems before final payment gives you much more leverage with the contractor.
Is a post-works letter the same as a building regulations completion certificate?
No. A completion certificate is issued by council Building Control or a registered building control approver, and covers compliance with all relevant regulations. Our letter covers only the structure we inspected and whether it matches the design. It can support a completion certificate but cannot replace one.