Party Wall, Building Survey and Planning Services

What is a Specific Defect survey, and when is it suitable?

A Specific Defect survey is a detailed investigation into a particular issue affecting (or suspected to affect) a property. Unlike a Full Building Survey which investigates the entire property, a Specific Defect Survey focuses solely on the specific defect and any related matters. This allows the defect to be discussed in detail without the information getting ‘lost’ amongst descriptions of the wider property. Additionally, Specific Defect surveys are less expensive than a Full Building Survey of the same property.

There are many situations in which a Specific Defect survey is beneficial, including:

• Buying a property - if you have noticed a defect in a property you are looking to buy (where you are otherwise satisfied with the property’s condition). A Specific Defect survey will help determine the magnitude of the defect, informing your decisions regarding purchase and price.
• As a property owner - if you are concerned about an issue with your property, and want to know if remedial works are required and how to carry them out.  Alternatively, your insurer or mortgage provider may require a Specific Defect survey before they offer you their services.
• Selling a property - if you are aware of a defect within the property which may affect the sale, commissioning a Specific Defect survey to determine the extent of the issue can aid negotiations.

Weald and City Specific Defect surveys

All of our Specific Defect surveys are performed by one of our qualified Building Surveyors. Members of both the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) and Residential Property Surveyors Association (RPSA), we follow the high professional standards of both organisations. 

We offer Specific Defect surveys for many issues including:

• Subsidence 
• Cracking or bowing walls
• Dampness and condensation 
• Timber decay, rot, or infestation 
• Structural beam defects (including lintels) – cracking, bowing, corrosion, etc.
• Brickwork and pointing defects
• Roofing defects (including chimneys)
• Poor quality alterations – conversions, extensions, wall removals, etc.
• Issues with external elements – retaining walls, patios, outbuildings, etc.
• Inspections of builders’ works 

A Weald and City Specific Defect survey entails a thorough on-site investigation of the defect and affected areas. Following the survey, your surveyor will issue a report which details:

1. The investigations which we carried out on-site
2. The nature and most likely cause(s) of the defect
3. Recommended repairs and remedial works, to put the defect right
4. Recommendations for further investigations (if found necessary)*

* We are qualified RICS and RPSA Building Surveyors with hands-on experience and extensive technical training in building pathology; however, there may be occasions where we decide that a defect requires a more complex structural solution and in these circumstances, we may refer you to our consultant structural engineer.