For flat owners
EWS1 surveyor: who can carry out the assessment
Send an enquiry about your block to find out whether it needs an EWS1 form. There is no fee for asking, and nothing to commit to until you choose to proceed.
What an EWS1 surveyor does in ews1 forms
An EWS1 surveyor inspects the external walls of a block and signs the form. Only a chartered fire engineer or chartered building surveyor can do this. They decide whether the materials pose a fire risk.
The specialist firm covering your area carries out the inspection. They examine cladding, balconies and insulation, then record their findings so lenders can rely on them.
A chartered surveyor or fire engineer handles the external wall survey. The choice depends on the building materials and the height of the block where your home sits.
What changes the external wall assessment cost
Every block differs in height, age and construction. The specialist firm assesses these details before quoting, because the work required varies from one building to the next.
- Height of the block
- Taller buildings require more time and sometimes different access equipment to inspect every elevation safely.
- Cladding materials
- Some finishes need closer examination or sampling, which adds steps to the inspection and the report.
- Number of elevations
- A block with four exposed sides takes longer to walk and document than one built into a terrace.
The specialist explains the cost for your particular block before anything is agreed.
Arranging the work for your block
- Certificate
- The final document confirming the rating. Lenders ask for this certificate before approving a mortgage on a flat in the block.
- Survey
- The physical inspection of cladding, balconies and external walls. The specialist walks the building and records what they find.
- Report
- The written record of what the assessor found during the visit, including photographs and notes on any combustible materials present.
- Assessment
- The full process from first check to signed form. It covers the site visit, the paperwork review and the final decision on the rating.
Questions about signing the form
Which professional can sign an external wall form?
A chartered fire engineer or a chartered building surveyor can sign it. Who signs the external wall form depends on the building materials and height. The specialist firm covering your area provides the right professional to arrange the EWS1 inspection for your block.
What does the signatory actually decide?
They decide if the external walls meet current fire safety standards. They assign a rating that tells lenders whether the building is safe enough to secure a mortgage against a flat inside it.
Will they need to open up part of the wall?
Sometimes. If drawings are missing or unclear, the specialist may need to open a small section to identify hidden insulation or cavity barriers behind the cladding panels on your block.
Do residents need to let anyone into their flats?
No. The inspection focuses entirely on the outside of the building. Residents do not need to grant access to their homes while the specialist examines the external walls and balconies.
How long does the inspection take?
The site visit usually takes a few hours. After that, the specialist writes the report and signs the form. This paperwork typically takes several weeks depending on how complex the block is.
What does it cost to have a block assessed?
The external wall assessment cost depends on the size and complexity of the building. The specialist firm quotes for the specific block after reviewing its height, materials and available drawings.
If I send an enquiry here, who receives it?
A specialist firm covering your area receives the details. They review what you have sent and contact you directly to discuss the building and arrange the work if needed.
Where the specialists work
Enquiries go to a specialist firm operating in your area. Coverage includes cities and towns across England and Wales where flats need external wall checks before a sale or remortgage.
If your town is not listed, send an enquiry anyway. A firm nearby may still cover it.
Ask about your block
Your details go to a specialist firm covering your area. They read what you send and reply directly. Sending an enquiry does not commit you to buying anything.
- No obligation
- Free to ask
- Direct reply