In short
A building safety report records the structural condition of an existing building: the documents reviewed, a visual inspection of the structural elements, the results of any non-destructive tests, an assessment of the risks found, and prioritised recommendations. Owners commission one before buying, extending, changing use or repairing a building.
Key points
- The report starts from whatever exists: drawings, permits and the building's history.
- The core is a visual inspection of the structural elements that can be reached.
- Non-destructive tests confirm what cannot be seen, where the inspection calls for them.
- Findings are turned into risks and prioritised recommendations, not just a list of defects.
An existing building cannot be judged by its paint. A building safety report is an engineer’s written assessment of its structural condition and overall safety, and the basis for decisions about buying, extending, changing its use or repairing it.
When owners ask for one
- Before buying an older villa or building.
- Before an extension or an additional floor, to know whether the structure can carry it.
- Before a change of use, for example a villa becoming offices.
- When defects appear: cracks, spalling concrete, damp, sagging or movement.
- When an authority, insurer or lender asks for an assessment.
What the report contains
1. Documents. Existing drawings, permits and the history of the building, where they exist. Gaps are noted; a building without drawings is assessed from what can be seen and measured.
2. Visual inspection. All structural elements that can be reached: foundations where exposed, columns, beams, slabs, walls, stairs, roofs. Cracks are mapped and described; signs of corrosion, water damage and movement are recorded.
3. Testing. Where the inspection calls for it, non-destructive tests confirm the condition of the concrete and the reinforcement. Our guide to non-destructive testing explains what each test tells you.
4. Risk assessment. Each finding is assessed for what it means: cosmetic, needing monitoring, needing repair, or needing urgent action.
5. Recommendations. What to do, in order of priority, so the owner can plan and budget.
What it is not
A safety report is not a repair design. When repairs are needed, the next step is to design them; Nation’s maintenance and rehabilitation service does that and oversees the work.
Start
If you need an assessment, send us a brief with the building’s location and what prompted the request.
Questions
How long does an inspection take?
It depends on the building's size, condition and access, and whether tests are needed. The scope and timing are set in the proposal for each building.
Does the report tell me what repairs will cost?
It tells you what needs to be done and in what order. Costs come from the repair design and contractor prices that follow.