Structural Surveys by Chartered Structural Engineers
Shepherd Gilmour is a trusted structural engineering consultancy with a long-standing reputation for delivering detailed, high-quality Structural Surveys across the UK.
Whether you're purchasing a property, investigating visible cracks, or responding to an insurance query, our experienced engineers provide clear, impartial advice to help you make informed decisions.
We offer domestic and commercial structural surveys, with each report prepared and reviewed by a qualified structural engineer. Several of our senior team members are Chartered Structural Engineers (CEng) with IStructE, ensuring the advice you receive is grounded in technical rigour and professional competence.
Why Choose Shepherd Gilmour for Your Structural Survey?
Qualified Structural Engineers All surveys are carried out by qualified and experienced engineers, never sub-contractors or automated tools.
Tailored, Written Reports Every report is written specifically for your property by the engineer who visits, with no generic checklists or computer-generated outputs.
Clear, Practical Recommendations We aim to explain defects in plain English and provide actionable advice to guide next steps.
ISO 9001 Accredited & Constructionline Gold Members You can rest assured our processes and procedures follow industry best practice. We are externally audited annually to ensure we remain compliant in providing the quality our clients have come to expect.
Client Support We routinely support homeowners, property buyers, insurers, loss adjusters, developers and landlords, and are happy to liaise with your conveyancer or insurer if required.
Domestic Structural Surveys
Our residential structural surveys are commonly instructed for:
Home purchases and mortgage approvals
Investigation of structural cracks or signs of movement
Subsidence or settlement-related concerns
Insurance claims and pre-works assessments
General peace of mind for property owners
Our engineers are trained to identify structural issues with clarity and objectivity. Using the BRE 251 damage categories, defects are classified in terms of severity, enabling clients to make informed decisions about repair, monitoring, or further investigation.
We frequently liaise with conveyancers, insurers, architects and contractors to help clients navigate the next steps following a survey.
Our Approach to Structural Surveying
Initial Appointment Once instructed, our office will arrange a convenient time for one of our engineers to visit the property.
Site Inspection The engineer will conduct a visual inspection of accessible areas, externally and internally. Observations will be made regarding the structure’s form, material condition, and any visible signs of structural distress.
Verbal Feedback Where appropriate, the engineer will discuss preliminary findings with the client at the time of visit and provide an indication of potential next steps.
Technical Report A detailed structural report will be issued. This will describe the structure, identify any defects, classify damage in accordance with BRE Digest 251, and provide practical, proportionate recommendations. Where necessary, we may advise further investigation or outline potential remedial works.
All reports are produced following the principles set out in the IStructE’s Appraisal of Existing Structures, ensuring consistency, clarity, and professional rigour.
Commercial Structural Inspections
We also provide structural inspections for commercial clients, including developers, managing agents, housing associations, insurance companies and institutions. These may relate to:
Structural due diligence
Dilapidation or reinstatement assessments
Impact damage or fire damage investigations
Change-of-use, extensions or refurbishment projects
We are happy to tailor our scope and deliverables to suit your specific requirements or project brief.
Request a Survey
To speak with a member of our team about a structural survey, or to request a fee proposal, please visit our Contact Us page. Alternatively, please call or E-Mail us directly via the details found at the bottom of this page.