What is a Condition Survey?
Our RICS Chartered Surveyors provide expert insight into building condition surveys—what they involve, what’s included, and when they should be carried out.
A building condition survey is a detailed inspection of a building to assess its current state and identify areas requiring maintenance, repairs, or upgrades. These surveys are essential for understanding the current condition of a building, identifying necessary repairs or maintenance, and ensuring your property remains safe, compliant, and fit for purpose.
Our RICS-accredited building surveyors can tailor for individual properties or scaled up for portfolio-wide stock condition assessments.
What is included in a Condition Survey?
The survey involves a non-intrusive visual inspection of the building’s internal and external areas, as well as surrounding elements like car parks and hardstandings. It focuses on identifying visible defects, signs of deterioration, and elements requiring repair or future maintenance.
Our surveyors assess:
Structure & Fabric
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Materials used, construction type, and implications for future upkeep
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Structural defects or potential risks (e.g. cracking, movement issues)
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Overall stability and integrity of the building
External Elements
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Roofs, chimney stacks, external walls, windows & doors, rainwater goods, drainage systems etc.
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External grounds, boundaries, access points, landscaping etc.
Our surveyors assess:
Internal Elements
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Walls, floors, ceilings, decorative finishes, staircases, windows & doors, woodwork/ joinery, fixtures & fittings etc
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Signs of dampness, mould, condensation and water ingress, cracking, movement and distortion, timber decay, woodworm and other timber defects
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Kitchens, WCs, lobbies, communal areas, offices etc
Our surveyors assess:
Building Services
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Visual assessment of the condition of building services such as plumbing, electrical, HVAC systems
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Recommendations for further specialist investigations if required
Our surveyors assess:
Fire Safety
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Visual observations of obvious fire safety provisions, such as means of escape signage, alarm presence and fire doors, where visible. This does not constitute a Fire Risk Assessment or specialist fire safety report.
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Recommendations for further specialist investigations if required
Our surveyors assess:
Security
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Observations on physical security and any evident vulnerabilities
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Notes on alarm systems or surveillance provisions
Our surveyors assess:
Compliance with Building Regulations
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Identification of visible matters that may warrant further review in relation to statutory compliance, planning status and Building Regulations requirements.
Our surveyors assess:
Hazardous Materials
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Visual observations of materials or conditions that may warrant further specialist investigation. We do not undertake asbestos surveys, sampling or hazardous material testing.
Our surveyors assess:
Environmental Risks
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Commentary on apparent site and environmental risk factors where visually evident or identified from client-provided or publicly available information. Specialist searches or reports may be recommended where appropriate.
Why you should commission a Building Condition Survey?
Building Condition Surveys help landlords, tenants, occupiers, investors and property managers plan and budget for maintenance over short and long-term periods.
They are especially valuable for establishing a baseline condition record for due diligence, lease agreements, planned maintenance, or asset management making informed investment decisions, lease negotiations, and ongoing facilities management.
With a clear and structured report in hand, you’ll be able to prioritise works, manage compliance risks, and keep your property in optimal condition.
Our reports will include:
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A photographic schedule highlighting condition and any defects.
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Professional commentary on the state of repair and recommendations for remedial works.
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Clear, jargon-free reporting aligned with RICS standards.
The Value of a Professional Condition Survey
A condition survey is one of the most beneficial surveys required by clients. Progressive deterioration of a property, if left unidentified, can lead to significant secondary defects including structural issues, damp penetration, timber decay, internal and external damage, resulting in costly remedial works.
A professional property inspection can:
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Identify defects at an early stage
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Assist in planned preventative maintenance
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Support insurance or contractual claims
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Inform purchase negotiations
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Provide objective information to assist owners, occupiers, purchasers, investors and their professional advisers.
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Reduce the risk of unexpected capital expenditure
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Timely diagnosis almost always results in lower long-term repair costs.
Our Approach
As independent Chartered Building Surveyors, our focus is on diagnosis — not the sale of remedial works.
We provide:
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Clear, structured written reports
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High-resolution annotated imagery
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Practical, proportionate recommendations
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Transparent advice tailored to the building type and age
Where drone inspection is appropriate, it is used as a safe and efficient investigative tool. Where closer inspection is required, traditional methods are employed. In many cases, a combination of both approaches delivers the most comprehensive assessment.
Areas Covered
Based in Liverpool, we undertake instructions across:
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Merseyside
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Greater Manchester
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Cheshire
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Lancashire
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North Wales
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Wider North of England
Arrange a Condition Survey
If you require a professional condition survey, a traditional inspection, or specialist advice, please contact our office to discuss your requirements.
We will advise on the most appropriate method of inspection and arrange a convenient appointment with a Chartered Building Surveyor.
Inspections are visual and non-invasive unless otherwise agreed. Reports provide an independent professional opinion based on evidence available at the time of inspection and are subject to our Terms of Engagement.
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