By QED Consulting Engineers — structural & civil engineers, Notting Hill, Melbourne
A structural inspection is an engineer's assessment of a home's structural condition — foundations, footings, framing and roof — to identify movement, cracking or defects before you buy. It goes deeper on structure than a standard building inspection, and it can be the difference between a confident purchase and an expensive surprise.
Here's what a structural inspection covers and when you should get one.
What does a structural inspection cover?
A structural inspection focuses on the elements that keep a building standing: the foundations and footings, slab or subfloor, load-bearing walls and framing, and the roof structure. The engineer looks for signs of movement, cracking, subsidence, sagging and moisture-related damage, then explains what they mean and how serious they are.
Structural inspection vs building inspection — what's the difference?
A standard pre-purchase building inspection is a broad visual check of the whole property's condition. A structural inspection is a focused engineering assessment of the structure specifically, carried out by a structural engineer. If a building inspection flags possible movement or cracking, a structural inspection is the next step to understand the cause and severity.
Our residential structural engineering team carries out these assessments for buyers across Melbourne.
Warning signs worth a closer look
Consider a structural inspection if you notice:
- Cracking in walls, especially diagonal or stair-stepped cracks in brickwork
- Sticking doors and windows, or visibly uneven floors
- Signs of footing or slab movement
- Past renovations or wall removals you want verified
- Any structural concern raised in a building inspection report
When should you get one?
Before you commit — ideally during your due-diligence or cooling-off period — so any structural issues are understood before the purchase is final. The cost of an inspection is small against the cost of undetected structural problems.
Buying a home in Melbourne? Talk to a Melbourne structural engineer for a pre-purchase structural assessment.
Frequently asked questions
What does a structural inspection include? An assessment of the foundations, footings, slab or subfloor, load-bearing structure and roof, with a report on any movement, cracking or defects and how serious they are.
What's the difference between a structural inspection and a building inspection? A building inspection is a broad visual check of the whole property; a structural inspection is a focused engineering assessment of the structure by a structural engineer.
When should I get a structural inspection? Before finalising a purchase — during due diligence or the cooling-off period — so issues are understood before you're committed.
Should I get one if the building inspection flagged cracks? Yes — a structural inspection determines the cause and severity of cracking or movement that a general inspection can only note.
