Façade & Cladding Condition Surveys

Every façade condition survey focuses on understanding how well the external wall system is performing and identifying any issues that may affect safety, durability, structural integrity or weather resistance. We combine visual inspection, close-up access and technical assessment to build a clear, accurate picture of the façade’s current condition and any developing risks. 

During a typical façade cladding survey, we assess:

External wall envelope & cladding systems – Checking the overall condition of cladding panels, rain-screen systems, masonry, curtain walling and other façade materials for deterioration, distortion, corrosion, cracking, staining and general weathering.

Fixings, brackets and structural supports – Evaluating visible fixing points, support rails and sub-structures for signs of movement, fatigue, corrosion or instability that could compromise the façade’s integrity.

Sealants and waterproofing details – Inspecting sealants, joints, gaskets, flashings and weathering details to identify gaps, deterioration, failed adhesion or incomplete protection that may allow water ingress or air leakage.

Coatings, treatments and finishes – Assessing the condition of paint systems, anti-corrosion treatments and protective coatings, looking for blistering, cracking, UV degradation, visible staining, organic growth or premature wear that may expose the underlying façade materials.

Glazing, windows and interfaces – Surveying the condition of glazing units, window frames, perimeter seals, glazing pressure plates, beads, cover caps, drainage paths and junctions between glazing and cladding systems, where failures often first appear.

Overall cleanliness and condition – Checking façade components, including glass, cladding, gaskets, sealants and drainage paths, as build-up of dirt or organic growth can accelerate deterioration.

General workmanship – Reviewing alignment, tolerances and installation quality that may affect the long-term performance, weatherproofing or durability of the façade.

Hidden defects and early-stage deterioration – Using close-up inspection, high-zoom imagery and targeted opening-up (if needed), we can identify issues that aren’t visible at a distance, such as trapped moisture or installation defects. 

Findings from a façade survey support long-term maintenance planning and help building owners prevent early deterioration or unexpected failures.

Building façades can range from traditional masonry on residential properties to highly engineered cladding systems covering commercial premises. Condition surveys can be conducted across the spectrum to ensure that owners and managers can maintain safe, durable and well-performing external walls.

Typical building types include:

• Residential apartment blocks and multi-storey flats, including buildings with rainscreen cladding, curtain walling, balconies or mixed external wall systems.
• Purpose-built student accommodation and halls of residence, where regular external wall assessments support building safety and long-term maintenance.
• Mixed-use developments, combining residential, retail or office space with varied façade materials and interfaces.
• Hotels and hospitality buildings, which often feature complex cladding, glazing and architectural façades.
• Care homes, assisted living schemes and sheltered housing, where robust façade performance is essential for resident safety.
• Modern commercial buildings, including offices, retail units and light industrial premises with curtain wall glazing, composite cladding or insulated panel systems.
• Refurbished or reclad buildings, particularly where external wall upgrades have been undertaken, or installation quality needs verification.
• Low-rise and mid-rise buildings with cladding or specialist façades, even where height does not place them in the high-risk category.

Barry Jubb Associates brings experience  across residential, commercial, and mixed-use buildings, delivering clear, accurate and reliable façade surveys, cladding condition surveys, and external wall assessments.

Each Façade survey is tailored to the building’s construction, materials and access requirements, ensuring the right inspection methods are used and that findings are always evidence-based. Any issues are translated into practical guidance so building owners and managers can make informed decisions about routine maintenance, budget forecasting and refurbishment planning.

We also support the next steps where required, including cladding remediation and prioritisation of works.

Operating throughout London, the Midlands, and the South of England, we provide a responsive, high-quality service backed by decades of expertise in external walls.