Repeat building surveys are one of the hidden, yet significant, costs faced by property owners and operators. It’s not just about the expense of the survey itself—it’s the time lost, the delays in compliance, and the impact on operational efficiency that really add up. And more often than not, these repeat surveys are entirely preventable.
In this blog, we’ll explore why repeat surveys happen, the types most commonly affected, and how comprehensive digital solutions can eliminate these unnecessary costs.
The Real Cost of Repeating Surveys
We know that commissioning a building survey isn’t cheap. In the UK, a full structural survey typically costs between £600 and £2,000 depending on the size and complexity of the building. But the costs don’t end there. When surveys are repeated due to missing or incomplete information, the expense easily doubles, particularly on larger projects where multiple surveys may be needed.
A 2021 report by Building Magazine highlighted that property owners could be losing as much as £5,000 per building each year due to unnecessary surveys and compliance checks. The issue becomes especially pronounced in buildings undergoing refurbishment or retrofitting, where the need for multiple assessments arises from fragmented or outdated records .
Imagine a situation where a property management firm overseeing a multi-unit residential development realises that critical fire safety reports have been misplaced during a digital migration. This results in commissioning new audits across several buildings, costing upwards of £20,000—an entirely preventable expense. Worse still, the delay in acquiring the new audits could push back crucial compliance and maintenance timelines, adding further operational costs and stress.
Why Are Repeat Surveys Necessary?
Many in the industry think repeat surveys are just a result of poor record-keeping, but the causes are varied and often stem from outdated systems and siloed information. Let’s take a look at the most common reasons:
Fragmented Information Systems: Buildings that have been sold or transferred between owners often suffer from fragmented record-keeping. When survey reports are stored in different formats or locations, key information can go missing, resulting in the need for fresh surveys to meet regulatory or operational requirements.
Reliance on Paper-Based Systems: Shockingly, a 2020 McKinsey & Company report found that around 60% of property firms in the UK still rely on paper-based or hybrid record-keeping systems. With paper records, the risk of documents being lost, damaged, or simply misplaced is high.
Changes in Regulation: Regulatory updates, such as the introduction of the Building Safety Act 2022, mean that many properties need to undergo new surveys to ensure compliance. But often, surveys are redone simply because the original documentation doesn’t meet new standards.
Common Types of Repeat Surveys
The types of surveys most commonly affected by repetition include:
Fire Safety Audits: Since the Grenfell tragedy, fire safety regulations have intensified. Many property owners have had to re-audit buildings when original documentation either couldn’t be found or didn’t align with updated safety standards. A repeat fire safety audit can add up to £3,500 to a property’s operating budget .
Condition Surveys: Often required when ownership changes hands. If previous surveys aren’t available or records are incomplete, the new owner will commission fresh assessments. These typically cost between £600 and £1,500 depending on the property .
Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs): Properties that have undergone refurbishments often need new EPCs to reflect the changes. These can range from £60 to £120 per report, but the cost mounts when multiple assessments are needed due to poor record-keeping .
The Financial and Operational Impact
Repeat surveys aren’t just a drain on financial resources—they also impact timelines, compliance, and efficiency. According to a Savills report, development projects delayed by missing or incomplete documentation can see timelines extended by anywhere from 3 to 6 months, leading to additional holding costs, delayed financing, or postponed occupancy .
For building owners and operators, this means not only dealing with direct survey costs but also managing the wider implications of these delays. Stakeholders lose confidence, regulatory bodies apply pressure, and the entire operational flow is disrupted.
How Digital Solutions Can Eliminate Repeat Surveys
Fortunately, preventing these costly repeat surveys is not only possible but straightforward with the right digital tools. Comprehensive digital platforms, like Building Passport, are designed to manage a building’s entire lifecycle of information—from initial surveys to ongoing maintenance records—keeping all stakeholders on the same page.
Here’s how digital solutions prevent repeat surveys:
Centralised Information: A digital platform offers a single source of truth. All survey reports, certifications, and maintenance records are stored in one place, accessible to relevant parties whenever they’re needed.
Complete Audit Trails: Digital systems provide a full history of uploads and updates, making it easy to verify when the last survey was conducted and whether any new ones are necessary.
Automated Compliance Tracking: Built-in compliance tracking ensures that building owners stay on top of regulatory requirements without having to scramble for last-minute surveys due to lost or outdated documents.
Real-Time Collaboration: Cloud-based solutions allow for seamless collaboration between contractors, surveyors, property managers, and building owners, ensuring everyone has access to the same, up-to-date information.
Conclusion: A Smarter, More Efficient Future
The cost of repeat surveys is not just a financial burden—it’s a symptom of an industry in need of modernisation. The good news is that digital platforms like Building Passport provide a solution that eliminates the risk of these unnecessary expenses by ensuring that all information is readily available and accessible when needed.
Sources:
RICS, "The Cost of Building Surveys in the UK", 2022.
Homebuilding & Renovating, "How Much Does a Survey Cost?", 2023.
McKinsey & Company, "Digital Transformation in Real Estate", 2020.
UK Government, "Building Safety Act 2022", 2022.
Building Magazine, "The Hidden Costs of Property Development", 2021.
Fire Risk Consultancy, "Fire Risk Assessments Post-Grenfell", 2018.
RICS, "Guide to Condition Surveys", 2021.
Gov.uk, "Energy Performance Certificates", 2023.
Savills, "Building Development Delays", 2022.
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