Structural engineer site visit with verbal advice
A structural engineer visits to look at one specific concern, such as a crack, a sagging ceiling or a wall you want to remove, and talks you through what it means on the spot.
About this service
A site inspection with verbal advice is the quickest way to get a structural engineer to look at something that is worrying you. We come to the property, look closely at the issue you have raised, ask about its history and explain what we think is going on. It suits people who want a straight, informed answer before spending money on reports, builders or design work.
Most visits are about one of a small number of things. A crack over a door frame. A ceiling that seems to dip. A chimney breast removed years ago. A kitchen wall you would like to knock through. In each case the useful question is the same: is this structural, and does it need action now, later or not at all? An engineer on site can usually tell you within the visit.
London housing makes early advice particularly valuable. Victorian and Edwardian terraces have often been altered many times, with walls removed and openings enlarged in ways nobody recorded. Much of the capital also sits on London Clay, which shrinks in dry summers and swells in wet winters, so seasonal cracking is common. Knowing which cracks are cosmetic and which point to movement saves needless worry.
The visit is deliberately limited to a defined concern, which keeps it affordable at from £300 + VAT. If what we see needs a written record, we will tell you which report fits, and the visit often shapes a more focused and cheaper brief for any next stage. You leave with a clear understanding of the problem rather than a list of unknowns.
When you need it
- You've noticed a crack or movement and want a professional opinion
- You're planning to remove a wall and need to know if it's load-bearing
- You need quick advice before deciding on next steps
What's included
- Visual inspection of the defined concern
- Explanation of the likely cause and how serious it is
- Verbal advice on any remedial work needed
- A short summary email after the visit
How it works
- Tell us the concernYou describe the issue, send a few photos if you have them and tell us anything you know about past works. We confirm the scope of the visit and a fixed fee in writing before booking a time.
- Engineer attends siteA structural engineer inspects the defined area, looking at crack patterns, levels, wall and floor construction, and the surrounding structure that might be carrying load or causing movement.
- Talk it through on siteWe explain the likely cause, how serious it is and what, if anything, needs doing. You can ask questions and walk us round related areas within the agreed concern.
- Summary emailAfter the visit we send a short email recording the key points of our advice, so you have something to refer back to or share with your builder or architect.
- Agree any next stepIf a written report, calculations or design are needed, we explain which service fits and confirm a fixed fee in writing before any further work starts, so nothing is committed without your agreement.
What you receive
Is verbal advice enough, or do you need a written report?
Verbal advice is right when the decision is yours alone. If you simply want to know whether a crack is serious, or whether a wall is likely to be load-bearing before you speak to a builder, a visit and summary email usually covers it. It is not the right choice when a lender, insurer, solicitor or buyer wants evidence, because they will expect a formal signed document. In that case a Specific Structural Inspection report is the better starting point, and our guide on which inspection report you need sets out the options.
Common findings include settlement cracks in older brickwork that stopped moving long ago, shrinkage cracks in new plaster, and sagging floors where joists were notched for pipes. Wall removal enquiries often reveal that a wall carries joists or a partition above, which is why our guide on removing a wall is worth reading first.
One pitfall to avoid is booking verbal advice and then expecting it to satisfy Building Control. A visit confirms whether a wall is structural, but the steel beam and padstone design that follows needs calculations, which is a separate service such as load-bearing wall opening design.
Not included
- Formal written report
- Calculations or design
- Opening up or testing
Projects that used this service
Frequently asked questions
How much does a structural engineer cost for a site visit in London?
Our site inspection with verbal advice starts from £300 + VAT for a visit to look at one defined concern. The exact fee depends on the issue and the property, and it is confirmed in writing before we book the visit. If the matter turns out to need a written report or design, we quote that separately so you only pay for what you actually need.
Can a structural engineer tell if a wall is load-bearing just by looking?
Often, yes. An engineer looks at joist direction, what sits above the wall, how it is built and how it connects to the rest of the structure. Sometimes lifting a floorboard or checking the loft is needed to be certain. Once a wall is confirmed as structural, any opening needs a designed beam and supports with calculations for Building Control.
Will I get anything in writing after the visit?
Yes, we send a short summary email recording our main observations and advice. It is not a formal report and is not intended for lenders, insurers or solicitors. If a third party needs a document it can rely on, a Specific Structural Inspection report is the usual choice and can often follow on from the same visit.
Should I see a structural engineer or a builder about a crack?
A builder can repair a crack, but a structural engineer can tell you why it formed and whether it will come back. Filling a crack caused by ongoing movement just hides the problem. An engineer's view first means the repair addresses the cause, whether that is old settlement, a failed lintel, a leaking drain or clay shrinkage.
What should I prepare before the engineer arrives?
Clear access to the area of concern, including any loft hatch or floor void nearby. Have photos of how the defect looked when you first noticed it, and any paperwork on past alterations, such as Building Control completion certificates. Knowing roughly when the issue appeared and whether it changes with the seasons is very helpful.