Structural engineers in Chiswick, working across London since 2016

Laytoe Structures
020 3983 5057 Book an inspection

Structural engineers in London since 2016

Structural engineers for London homes

Structural surveys, subsidence and crack inspections, mortgage and insurance reports, and calculations for wall removals and extensions. Clear answers from qualified engineers, with a written price before you go ahead.

Book an inspection See our prices
  • Master's-qualified engineers A chartered engineer's inspection on request
  • Usually 5 working days for your report, or 48 hours with fast track
  • Your price in writing before you book
The Laytoe Structures office at Gable House, Turnham Green Terrace, Chiswick

“Honest, professional and thorough.”

Madiha K., lender report, on Google

Projects completed2,700+

Reports written for lenders. We regularly prepare reports for buyers borrowing from major lenders, including Barclays, Santander and Nationwide.

Qualified engineers. Every inspecting engineer has a master's in structural engineering. Not all are chartered: ask when you book if you need a chartered engineer.

Local to West London. Our office is in Chiswick, and we inspect and design for homes across Greater London.

Fully insured. £1 million professional indemnity insurance for our inspections, reports and designs.

Structural inspections, reports and design

Start with what is happening at your property and pick the closest match. An engineer looks at your building and explains plainly what it needs, with the price in writing before we start.

Not sure which inspection you need? Compare the Specific, General and Comprehensive inspections, or describe what you have noticed and we will recommend one.

Signs a crack needs an engineer

Width matters, but the pattern and the behaviour of a crack matter as much. Tick the signs you can see at home to get a rough idea of how serious it may be.

  • 1235mmOver 3 mmNarrow at the topWide at the bottom

    Wider than 3 mm, or tapering

    The crack is wider than about 3 mm, or wider at one end than the other.

  • Steps through the jointsRuns diagonally

    Diagonal or stepped

    It runs diagonally, or steps through the mortar joints of brickwork.

  • OutsideInsideShows outsideand insideWall, seen from above

    Right through the wall

    It goes right through the wall and shows on the inside as well as the outside.

  • Binds atthe top

    Doors or windows sticking

    Doors or windows nearby have started to stick or no longer close properly.

  • FilledBack, and longer

    Back after filling, or growing

    It has reappeared after being filled, or you can see it getting longer or wider.

  • Leans outFloor slopesPlumb line

    Bulging, leaning or sloping

    A wall is bulging or leaning, or floors have started to slope.

  • RootsLeaking drain

    A large tree or leaking drain

    There is a large tree or a suspected leaking drain close to the cracking.

  • Gap over 2 mm at the topBay pulls awayHouseShallow bay foundation

    Bay or extension pulling away

    A bay window or rear extension has separated from the house, with a gap at the junction wider than about 2 mm.

  • Ridge dipsRoof sagsCeiling bows and cracks

    Bowing ceiling or sagging roof

    A ceiling is bowing or has cracked across, or the roof line has started to dip or sag.

Please note: this check only gives a rough idea of how serious the signs may be. It is not a structural assessment or advice. Cracks have many causes, and only an inspection by a structural engineer can tell you what is happening and what needs doing.

How booking an inspection works

From first message to finished report, this is what to expect.

  1. Tell us about your issues

    Use the form or call us with your full address.

  2. Get your quote and book

    We reply with the right inspection, its price and dates.

  3. An engineer visits

    A visual inspection on a weekday, or a weekend for a small extra fee.

  4. Receive your report

    Usually within 5 working days (10 for a CGSI), or 48 hours with fast track.

Read our client guide before you book

What each inspection and design service includes and what it does not, the four inspection levels side by side, how to prepare for our engineer's visit, how booking and payment work, our fees and our terms, all in one place.

Read the client guideOpen the PDF

Engineers who take the time to look properly

We are not the cheapest firm in London, and we do not try to be. Our fees allow enough time for each property, so every report is written for your building rather than adapted from the last one.

  • Qualified engineers. Every inspecting engineer has a master's degree in structural engineering. Chris is our Chartered Structural Engineer, and a chartered engineer's inspection is available on request.
  • Plain English reports. What we found, how serious it appears and what to do next.
  • Questions answered afterwards. For you, your lender, your insurer or your builder.
  • Weekend visits. Saturday and Sunday inspections for a small extra fee.
About us and how we work
  • Siavash, Senior Structural Engineer

    Siavash

    Senior Structural Engineer

  • Faranak, Senior Structural Engineer

    Faranak

    Senior Structural Engineer

  • Chris, Chartered Structural Engineer

    Chris

    Chartered Structural Engineer

  • Hedi, Designer

    Hedi

    Designer

What clients say

Buyers, homeowners and leaseholders on working with us. Read all our reviews on Google

I used Laytoe in August for a lender structural report. Siavash and the team were honest, professional and thorough. Siavash took the time to call us before finalising the report, explained the findings clearly and gave genuinely candid advice, which helped me make a very important decision with confidence.

Madiha K., lender structural report

We needed a general structural inspection survey done on a property we were purchasing. The survey was actioned quickly, the price was very fair and report was detailed and clear with specific actions recommended for next steps. Will certainly use again.

Rui, inspection before buying

They provided a very professional and detailed report for my insurance purposes, and everything was handled efficiently and thoroughly. The report was clear, accurate, and well presented, which made the insurance process much easier for me.

Bahram B., insurance report
Map of the London areas Laytoe Structures coversOur office in Chiswick, the River Thames and the 51 areas with their own page, with rings 5 and 10 miles from the office. Each area links to its page.River Thames5 miles10 milesFinchleyMuswell HillWalthamstowHighgateHampsteadNortholtKilburnWillesdenHackneyStratfordCamdenIslingtonMaida ValeGreenfordNotting HillEalingSouthallHanwellActonShepherd's BushHolland ParkKensingtonWestminsterHammersmithEarl's CourtBrentfordChelseaGreenwichKewIsleworthPeckhamFulhamBarnesBatterseaHounslowClaphamRichmondBrixtonPutneyLewishamWandsworthTwickenhamDulwichBalhamTootingTeddingtonWimbledonCrystal PalaceKingstonCroydonOur office, Chiswick W402 milesN
51 areas with their own page. Choose one to see local issues, ground conditions and case studies.

Based in Chiswick, working across London

Our office is on Turnham Green Terrace in W4. We inspect and design for homes throughout Greater London, and we know its housing well: Victorian and Edwardian terraces, mansion blocks and converted flats, much of it built on shrinkable London Clay.

See all the areas we cover

Tell us what you have found

Send a few details about the property and the problem. We read every enquiry ourselves and reply with the inspection or design service that fits, and its price.

  • Your price in writing before you book
  • Weekday and weekend visits across London
  • Report usually in 5 working days, or 48 hours with fast track
020 3983 5057 office@laytoe.co.uk

Request a quote

We reply by email with a price and the next available dates.

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