Defects Survey - Expert Problem Diagnosis
"Independent investigation of property issues including subsidence, structural movement, timber decay, and damp. Provides detailed findings, causes, severity assessment and recommended action plans with associated repair costs." - Family-Run Independent Practice
Defects Surveys
Issues and defects with properties can emerge at any time, and if left untreated can lead to extensive and significant damage to your property.
Some of the most common defects our surveyors find in properties include:
- Subsidence and heave
- Cracking brickwork
- Structural movement
- Timber decay and rot
- Damp
- Roofing defects
- Poor design and construction
We offer an independent and unbiased Defects Survey, where we look to inspect, identify and offer advice on the associated costs and required steps to rectify any defects found at the property, and to help the property owner maintain their investment.
What are the benefits of a Defects Survey?
- A thorough inspection of the building to identify any structural faults
- In-depth report detailing findings of the inspection, including the causes and severity of any defects
- Information on how to rectify any identified defects, including a recommended plan of action and associated costs to help you budget
- Recommendations for further investigation (if required)
Get in Touch
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Choose Your Survey
Professional services tailored to your needs. From basic assessments to comprehensive solutions.
Pre-completion Survey
New Build Quality Assurance
From £450
Professional snagging inspection for newly built properties. Creates a finishing checklist to ensure your new home meets quality standards before completion.
Duration:
2-3 hours
Suitable for:
New builds, pre-completion properties
Key Features:
RPSA qualified inspector
Finishing checklist creation
Non-invasive inspection
NHQB approved process
Level 1 Home Survey
Essential Property Assessment
From £350
Perfect for conventional properties and newer homes. Identifies risks, potential legal issues, and urgent defects.
Duration:
2-3 hours
Suitable for:
New builds, good condition properties
Key Features:
Condition report
Risk identification
Urgent defects
Legal issues
Level 2 Home Survey
Detailed Property Analysis
From £550
Most popular choice for conventional properties in reasonable condition. Includes extensive inspections and maintenance advice.
Duration:
3-4 hours
Suitable for:
Properties post-1930, reasonable condition
Key Features:
Traffic light rating
Roof space inspection
Drainage assessment
Maintenance advice
Level 3 Building Survey
Complete Structural Assessment
From £750
The most comprehensive survey for older, unusual, or run-down properties. Includes drone inspections and detailed analysis.
Duration:
4-6 hours
Suitable for:
Older properties, major renovations
Key Features:
Drone inspections
Structural analysis
Repair cost estimates
Comprehensive reporting
Buy-to-Let Survey
Investment Property Protection
From £650
Specialized survey combining property condition with Health & Safety compliance for rental properties.
Duration:
3-5 hours
Suitable for:
Rental properties, landlords
Key Features:
Health & Safety review
HHSRS compliance
Investment protection
Annual review option
Defects Survey
Expert Problem Diagnosis
From £450
Identify and resolve structural issues, damp, subsidence, and timber decay before they become costly problems.
Duration:
2-4 hours
Suitable for:
Properties with known issues
Key Features:
Problem diagnosis
Repair cost estimates
Action plans
Cause identification
Property Problem Solutions
Defects Survey FAQ
Get expert advice on property defects including subsidence, damp, structural issues, and timber decay. Professional investigation and repair cost estimates from experienced RPSA surveyor.
Defects Survey Basics
A Defects Survey is an independent investigation of specific property problems including subsidence, structural movement, damp, timber decay, and other building defects. You need one when you've noticed concerning issues like cracks, damp patches, or structural movement, during property purchase negotiations, or when problems emerge after a basic survey. It provides detailed findings, causes, severity assessment, and repair action plans.
Defects Surveys start from £450 and include thorough building inspection to identify structural faults, in-depth reporting detailing causes and severity of defects, repair recommendations with associated costs for budgeting, and specialist advice on remedial actions. You'll receive a comprehensive PDF report within 5 working days plus ongoing support from your surveyor.
We investigate all major property defects including subsidence and structural movement, damp and moisture problems, timber decay (woodworm and rot), structural cracks and movement, foundation issues, roof defects and water ingress, wall and masonry problems, and drainage issues. Our RPSA surveyor has the building pathology expertise to identify root causes and provide appropriate remedial advice.
Specific Defect Issues
Our subsidence investigation includes detailed crack pattern analysis, foundation condition assessment, ground condition evaluation, monitoring recommendations where appropriate, and identification of potential causes such as tree root damage, drainage issues, or ground movement. We provide severity ratings and detailed repair cost estimates to help you understand the extent and urgency of any structural problems.
Yes, we specialize in damp diagnosis including rising damp, penetrating damp, and condensation issues. Our investigation identifies moisture sources, assesses the extent of damp damage, evaluates potential structural implications, and recommends appropriate treatments. We use building pathology expertise to distinguish between different damp types and provide targeted solutions rather than unnecessary expensive treatments.
We provide Defects Surveys across North-West England including postcode areas WA, M, L, CH, CW, SK, BL, WN and secondary areas OL, PR, BB, FY. Based in Altrincham, we serve property owners throughout Greater Manchester, Cheshire, Lancashire, and Merseyside. Contact us on +44 7850 407671 to discuss your specific property defects and arrange a professional investigation.