A structural assessment before a property purchase is one of the more common ways buyers avoid inheriting an undisclosed issue — but it's worth knowing what it does and doesn't cover before commissioning one.
- A visual inspection of accessible structural elements — foundations, columns, beams, slabs, walls, roof
- Identification of cracking, corrosion, spalling or deflection, if present
- A conclusion on whether further investigation is warranted
- A written report suitable for sharing with a lender or for your own record
- Confirmation of what the assessment does not cover — concealed elements, for instance, that aren't accessible without opening finishes
This checklist is a preparation aid, not professional advice for a specific project — every project should still be reviewed individually.