Identify and resolve property defects with confidence

Defect Analysis

“Whether you’re a homeowner, buyer, or landlord, understanding a property defect is essential to making informed decisions about repairs, maintenance, or potential purchases.”

Smiling person with glasses against brick wall, wearing a jacket with company logo, accompanied by RICS regulation badge and Google 4.9 star rating.

What is Defect Analysis?

Defect analysis involves a thorough inspection of your property to identify any faults, weaknesses, or damage that could affect its condition or value. Common issues include:

  • Structural problems such as cracking or subsidence

  • Defects associated with high-level items, such as chimneys and decorative features

  • Roofing defects both externally and internally

  • Failure to brickwork and other masonry elements

  • Defective render and finish coatings.

  • Mould and damp issues

Our expert surveyors deliver a comprehensive assessment, ensuring you have a clear understanding of the severity and implications of any issues found.

Wall and ceiling with large cracks near a door in a building interior.

Example heavy cracking at a residential property

  • Close-up of a brick chimney with moss growth on the top, seen from a roof covered with slate tiles, surrounded by trees and branches.

    Chimney Defects

    Chimneys are particularly exposed to weathering and are a common source of structural and maintenance issues. Common defects include leaning stacks, eroded mortar joints, cracked flaunching, defective leadwork, and vegetation growth – all of which can lead to damp ingress, instability, or falling debris.

  • Close-up of a house roof with black shingles, some of which are weathered or damaged, with sunlight reflecting off the surface.

    Roof Defects

    Roof coverings are a key line of defence against water ingress and deterioration. Common issues include slipped or broken tiles, weathered coverings, poor past repairs, moss growth, and inadequate detailing around chimneys or valleys.

  • Plants growing along a brick wall with some dried leaves on the ground.

    Brick Failure

    Brickwork is designed to be durable, but issues can arise from age, moisture, poor detailing, or previous repairs. Common defects include spalling bricks, eroded mortar joints, frost damage, and vegetation growth – all of which can compromise the wall’s strength and weather resistance.

  • Exterior of a house with a stucco wall, two vent covers, a garden hose reel mounted on the wall, and a potted plant with flowers next to a wooden fence and green bushes.

    Render Defects

    Render systems are often used to improve a property’s appearance or weather resistance, but when defects occur, they can be both unsightly and damaging. Common issues include cracking, staining, delamination, and distortion – especially where Magnesium Oxide (MgO) boards have been used as a backing system.

  • Mold and dirt buildup around a window frame with water spots on the glass, rain visible outside, and a stained curtain.

    Mould Issues

    Mould growth is typically a symptom of underlying moisture or ventilation problems, not just a housekeeping issue. It’s often linked to condensation, cold bridging, poor insulation, or restricted airflow, and can have serious implications for health, comfort, and mortgageability.

  • Damp Issues

    Damp is one of the most frequently reported problems in buildings – and one of the most misunderstood. From rising damp and penetrating moisture to condensation-related issues, each type requires a different diagnostic approach and remedial strategy.

Our Approach

  • Step 1 - Client Consultation

    We begin with a consultation to understand your concerns and gather background information about the defect. This allows us to learn how and when the issue first arose, review any previous repair history, and ensure we focus our inspection on the areas most relevant to you.

  • Step 2 - On-Site Inspection

    A suitably qualified surveyor visits the property to conduct a detailed examination of the structure, systems, and finishes. The location, severity, and evidence of the defect are carefully recorded, supported by photographs taken during the inspection.

  • Step 3 - Detailed Reporting

    Following the inspection, we prepare a structured, easy-to-understand report. This doesn’t just highlight what’s wrong, but explains why the defect has occurred and how best to address it.

    The report will:

    Identified Defects – a clear description of the issues, supported by photographs taken on site.

    Potential Causes – an explanation of the likely reasons behind the defect, whether related to design, construction methods, poor maintenance, or environmental factors.

    Consequences if Left Unrepaired – outlining the risks of inaction, including potential safety issues, further deterioration, or increased future costs.

    Recommended Remedial Actions – practical advice on the type of repairs or specialist input needed to resolve the issue.

    Prioritisation of Urgent Repairs – guidance on which matters need immediate attention, and which may be addressed over the medium to longer term.

    Next Steps – optional recommendations for obtaining quotes, liaising with contractors, or arranging follow-up inspections where necessary.

  • Step 4 - Support and Advice

    Once you’ve received the report, our involvement doesn’t stop there. We remain available to guide you through the findings and help you take the right next steps.

    This stage could include:

    Follow-up discussion – talking you through the report in plain English, ensuring you fully understand the nature of the defect and the options available.

    Tailored advice – highlighting the most cost-effective or practical solutions, taking into account your budget, timescales, and long-term plans for the property.

    Contractor engagement – helping you obtain quotations from reliable contractors or specialists, and advising on which proposals best meet the recommendations in the report.

    Project support – should you wish, we can oversee the works through our Contract Administration service, from tendering and contractor appointment through to monitoring and sign-off.

    Future planning – identifying potential maintenance issues or recurring risks so that you can plan ahead and avoid repeat problems.

    Our aim at this stage is to give you peace of mind, ensuring that the defect is not only understood but properly resolved with the right professional oversight.

Why choose Navah Consulting?

  • Expertise you can trust

    Our RICS-qualified surveyors have extensive experience with a broad range of property types and their associated defects.

  • Clear, actionable insights

    Our reports are clear, jargon-free and easy to follow, giving you the information you need to act confidently.

  • Tailored solutions

    Every property is unique, and so is our approach. We adapt to your specific concerns and goals.

Frequently Asked Questions

If you have any questions, our FAQs may assist, or you are welcome to contact us directly using our contact form below or by calling 01279 755486.

  • A defect analysis survey is a focused inspection designed to identify the cause, severity and implications of a specific problem within a property, such as cracking, damp, roof failure or structural movement.

  • Defect analysis is most suitable when you are already aware of a particular issue and need expert advice on why it has occurred and how it should be resolved, rather than a general overview of the whole property.

  • Yes. Defect analysis is frequently used by landlords and property managers to diagnose recurring problems, manage risk, and ensure repairs are carried out effectively and proportionately.

  • We commonly assess issues including damp and mould, cracking and movement, roof defects, chimney failures, brickwork and render problems, and defects associated with poor detailing or historic repairs.

  • Yes. Our reports explain the severity of the defect, the risks if it is left untreated, and whether it requires urgent attention or can be managed over time.

  • Yes. We provide clear, practical recommendations for remedial works and identify when specialist contractors or further investigations may be required.

  • Yes. If a survey or viewing has highlighted a concern, a defect analysis can help you understand the potential cost, risk and implications before you commit to a purchase or renegotiate.

  • Yes, where appropriate, we can undertake intrusive investigations. However, the scope of any such works would need to be agreed in advance, as this may require opening up parts of the building, liaison with contractors, and additional time on site. Any intrusive works would be clearly defined and confirmed before proceeding.

  • As and where required, Navah Consulting can provide Contract Administration services, including appointing contractors and monitoring works on site.

  • Defect analysis services are priced on a case-by-case basis, as the scope and complexity of each issue can vary significantly. Fees are typically charged on an hourly rate, based on the time required for inspection, reporting and any follow-up advice. We will always discuss the likely scope and costs with you in advance, so you have a clear understanding before any work is instructed.