Surveys and condition records in London
Measured surveys by Matterport or laser scan, RICS building surveys, drone roof inspections and schedules of condition, so design starts from accurate information.
About these services
Not every survey is about finding a structural fault. Some record what is there, so a designer can work from accurate dimensions. Others record condition, so that a later disagreement can be settled on evidence rather than memory. This group brings together measured surveys, RICS building surveys, schedules of condition, wall tie checks, drone inspections of roofs and facades, and repair cost estimates. Each one produces a document you can rely on later.
Buyers use RICS Level 2 and Level 3 surveys before exchanging contracts. Homeowners about to start work use a schedule of condition to record a neighbour's property, or their own, before digging begins. Architects and designers commission measured surveys when the only existing drawings are decades old or missing. Landlords and managing agents use drone inspections to check chimneys, parapets and high-level brickwork without paying for scaffolding just to look.
On a typical London job these surveys feed into each other. A drone flight over a mansion block in Kensington and Chelsea might reveal cracked brickwork around window heads. A wall tie survey then confirms whether corroded ties are the cause, and a repair cost estimate gives the freeholder a budget to put to leaseholders. Because engineers carry out the surveys, any structural finding can move straight into a report or a repair design.
Services in this group
- Measured building survey (Matterport or laser scan)GCE-IN-021from £450
- Building survey (RICS Level 2 or Level 3)GCE-IN-007from £500
- Schedule of conditionGCE-IN-009from £350
- Wall tie condition surveyGCE-IN-013from £250
- Drone roof and facade inspectionGCE-IN-024from £300
- Repair cost estimate and bill of quantitiesGCE-IN-025from £500
Which survey or record fits your situation?
If you are buying, the RICS building survey is the starting point. Level 2 suits conventional homes in reasonable condition, while Level 3 is better for older, altered or larger properties where you want more detail on defects. If you are about to build next to a neighbour, or a neighbour is about to build next to you, a schedule of condition is the evidence you will want if cracks appear later.
For design work, a measured building survey gives accurate existing plans and elevations, which avoids errors when steel beams or openings are sized from old drawings. Where cavity walls show horizontal cracks every few courses, or bulging near the top of a gable, a wall tie condition survey will confirm whether the ties have corroded. Our guide on signs of wall tie failure explains what to look for first.
Projects using these services
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a RICS Level 2 and Level 3 survey?
A Level 2 survey suits a conventional house or flat in reasonable condition, giving a clear summary of defects and their urgency. A Level 3 survey is more detailed and is better for older, larger, altered or unusual buildings, or where you plan major works. If either survey raises a structural concern, an engineer's inspection report can then deal with it in depth.
When should a schedule of condition be done?
Before any work starts, ideally a few weeks ahead, and before scaffolding or excavation goes in. It should record walls, ceilings, floors and external elevations with dated photographs and written notes. Once work has begun, it becomes much harder to show which cracks were already there, so leaving it late weakens its value for both owners.
Can a drone inspection replace scaffolding?
For looking, often yes. A drone gives high-resolution images of roofs, chimneys, parapets and upper facades, which is usually enough to identify defects and plan repairs. It cannot replace scaffolding for the repair work itself, or for hands-on checks such as testing whether masonry is loose. It does help you decide whether scaffolding is worth paying for.
Will a repair cost estimate tell me exactly what a builder will charge?
No estimate can do that, as builders price differently and market conditions change. What the estimate does is build up the likely cost from measured quantities and a defined scope, so you have a reasoned figure to budget with, negotiate a purchase price, or test builders' quotes against. It is most useful when the scope of repair is already clear.