Download our eBook guide on “What is a condition survey and why is it important?

A condition survey is a visual inspection carried out by qualified chartered building surveyors to provide objective information about the physical, mechanical and electrical condition of your buildings. It provides crucial information for your Asset Management Plan (part of the Department for Education’s guidance on Good Estate Management for Schools, known as GEMS) to make best use of your budget and keep pupils, staff and visitors safe. It is also the first step towards applying for government grants for vital repair and preventative work.

We have written an ebook to provide a brief guide on why condition surveys are needed, the benefits they bring and how they are essential if you want to secure funding for maintenance and get the very best value out of money you allocate for repairs.

The ebook explores:

• What is a condition survey?

An inspection to identify the scope and priority of works. It will identify any urgent health & safety risks, but it is also an investment that allows you to anticipate maintenance needs and costs rather than simply reacting when something goes wrong.

• Why is a condition survey important?

Academies and Multi-Academy Trusts (MATs) are legally responsible for maintaining the condition of their estate. Poor or irregular maintenance of buildings can result in; disruption of education, closure or partial closure of your buildings, invalidation of your insurance, poor value for money, unnecessary expenditure to rectify problems which could have been avoided, shorter building life, risks to the health, safety and welfare of all on site, legal claims and non-compliance with regulations.

Condition surveys will help you to; identify what work is needed when, consider how much works might cost, prioritise work within available funds, rectify compliance breaches, identify health & safety issues, enhance the learning environment, plan preventative maintenance, spread costs over a chosen period and obtain funding.

• What does a condition survey cover?

Condition surveys are based on the requirements of the DfE’s Asset Management Plan 'Condition Assessment' but can provide much more information.

• How is condition graded and prioritised?

Each element within your estate will be graded as to its condition (from A = Good to D = Bad) and as to priority for carrying out remedial action.

• How often are condition surveys needed and who should carry them out?

Condition surveys are usually carried out every 3-5 years by qualified chartered building surveyors. Depending on the size and nature of each academy, surveys may take between one and four weeks to conclude.

• What funding is available for repairs and maintenance?

Condition surveys provide the evidence required for single academies and small MATs to apply for funding and for larger MATs to prioritise how to spend their funding allocation. Chartered building surveyors who specialise in the education sector – such as S2e – have the expertise to help source funding and project manage your building or maintenance work.

Grants are available via the government’s Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) in several ways including; Condition Improvement Funding (CIF), School Condition Allocation (SCA), Urgent Capital Support (UCF), Devolved Formula Capital Funding (DFC) and Section 106.

We hope you find the eBook informative and useful, however if you need any further support please do not hesitate to contact us on 0116 5070130 or email on enquire@s2e.org.uk.