Structural survey

A structural survey is a check of the condition, construction and load-bearing capacity of part of a building, usually carried out by a suitably competent person or structural engineer where the work needs that level of judgement. In home energy work it most often appears when solar PV, ballasted flat-roof mounting, heavy battery equipment or outdoor heat-pump equipment adds weight, point loads, wind forces or fixing requirements to an existing building. It matters because a roof, wall, floor or support that looks usable may still need calculation, strengthening, different fixings or a different equipment location. It is not planning permission, a general visual survey or a universal approval for the whole installation.