How Long Does a Structural Inspection Take?

Published 2024-04-29 · Newcastle Structural Engineers

Structural inspections are carried out to confirm that a building is safe, sound and meets the relevant standards. How long an inspection takes depends on the property — there is no single answer, but a few factors consistently drive the timing.

What Affects Inspection Length

Size and complexity. A full inspection of a large home, multi-storey building or industrial structure takes longer than a straightforward single-storey house, simply because there are more structural elements to check.

Scope of the inspection. A general structural inspection covers foundations, walls, columns, beams, floors and roof framing. A narrower inspection — for example, a single retaining wall — is quicker.

Access. Structural elements that are hard to reach or see — under floors, in roof cavities, or behind finishes — take longer to assess properly, and sometimes require specialised access.

Condition of the building. Older buildings, or those with visible damage or a history of movement, need closer examination than a newer building in good condition.

Typical Timeframes

Most residential inspections — including pre-purchase inspections — take one to two hours on site. Larger or more complex properties can take longer. Your written report generally follows within a few business days.

Getting an Accurate Estimate

The best way to know how long your inspection will take is to tell us about the property when you book — its size, age and what you need the inspection for. We'll give you a realistic timeframe before we arrive.

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