EWS1 report
What an EWS1 report says
Send an enquiry about the EWS1 report for your home and find out what the paperwork contains. There is no fee to ask, and nothing commits you to buying anything.
What the EWS1 report tells you
A fire engineer report on an external wall records specific findings. The same detail can point to different ratings depending on the materials found and where they sit on the building.
- A rating letter on the front page
- The summary given to lenders. Read what each one means in the guides to A1, A2 and A3 ratings or B1 and B2 ratings.
- Photographs of opened-up panels
- Visual proof of what sits behind the render. The specialist firm takes these during the EWS1 survey to record hidden layers.
- A list of suggested fixes
- Recommendations after cladding inspection. These note what might need changing, though acting on them depends on who owns the building.
From site visit to finished paperwork
An EWS1 assessment follows a set sequence. The starting point is a physical check of the walls, and the finish is a written document ready for a sale.
Before the visit
You know something needs checking because a buyer or lender has asked for an EWS1 certificate, but the walls have not been opened up yet.
After the report is issued
The specialist firm produces a document describing the wall build-up for flats, with photographs and a rating that conveyancers can rely on.
What goes into the paperwork
- Wall build-up description
- A detailed account of the layers behind the render. This wall build-up description for flats tells a lender exactly what materials make up the external envelope.
- Photographic evidence
- Images of any areas opened up during the EWS1 survey. These show the insulation, cavities and fixings so the reader does not have to guess.
- Fire engineering findings
- The core of the fire engineer report on an external wall. It states whether the materials present a risk and assigns the final rating.
- Addressed recipient
- The document names who it was written for. Understanding who owns the EWS1 report matters if you need to share a cladding report with a lender.
Questions about the EWS1 report
- Is the report the same as the form?
- No. The form is a short summary signed by the EWS1 surveyor. The report is the longer document holding the evidence, photographs and reasoning behind that signature.
- Can I send the full report to my lender?
- Lenders usually ask for the signed form rather than the full document. If you need to share a cladding report with a lender, check their requirements first.
- Who is it addressed to?
- It is normally addressed to the building owner or managing agent. Whether a copy of the report for a leaseholder is available depends on who commissioned it.
- Does it describe the wall materials?
- Yes. The wall build-up description for flats details every layer behind the outer finish, including insulation type, cavity barriers and the substrate itself.
- Are we obliged to follow recommendations?
- Recommendations after cladding inspection suggest improvements. Following them is generally a matter for the freeholder, though ignoring them could affect future sales.
- How long does it take to arrive?
- Timelines vary between specialist firms. Ask when you enquire about the EWS1 assessment so you know when to expect the finished paperwork.
Where these reports are arranged
Enquiries are taken for homes across England and Wales. Separate specialist firms carry out the inspections locally, so the EWS1 surveyor who visits knows the building types in that area.
If your town is missing, send an enquiry anyway. Coverage often reaches nearby areas.
Ask about the report for your home
Send a few details about your flat and the type of paperwork you need. The enquiry goes to a specialist firm that handles EWS1 forms, and asking costs nothing.
- No obligation to proceed
- Free initial enquiry
- Local specialists handle it