Commercial
Quinquennial Surveys For Churches.
Ensure your church’s historic integrity and safety with a professional quinquennial survey by Fourth Wall Building Consultancy. Our expert chartered surveyors specialise in listed and historic buildings, providing detailed inspections tailored to your church’s unique needs.
What is a Quinquennial Survey & Why Do You Need One?
The Church Of England requires every church in the UK to undertake a quinquennial inspection (or survey) at least every five years. Quinquennial church surveys ensure that the integrity of the building remains intact, and any issues are identified and dealt with promptly – ensuring both the safety of the public, but also of the historic building.
However, not just anyone can conduct a quinquennial survey. It should be someone with suitable experience for the building. A junior surveyor would be okay to review an unlisted church (with supervision from someone more senior), however, for buildings graded above that level, inspections should only be conducted by a RICS chartered surveyor with experience in listed properties – like Fourth Wall Building Consultancy. This applies to Grade I, Grade II*, or Grade II listed churches, as well as Cathedrals and Major Churches (CBC).
What is Included in a Fourth Wall Church Survey?
As part of your quinquennial survey, our survey will include:
A comprehensive review of the church’s structure and integrity, including walls, flooring, beams, and the roof
A review of other key features like the bells, spires, and windows
A look at the churchyard, and any trees protected by a Tree Preservation Order, in a Conservation Area, or on the Gazetteer of ancient, veteran and notable trees; or any other buildings present outside
Advice on any remedial actions needed, their priority (rated 1-5, in order of urgency), and estimated costs
Environmental issues and sustainability (such as lighting, heating, flood risk, and opportunities to reduce heat loss through steps such as draughtproofing and insulation)
Traffic light risk ratings and action points to easily understand the severity of a defect, when action should be taken, and who needs to sort it
Free follow up advice from our friendly team of chartered surveyors after the initial report, presented in a way that you can easily understand.
Once your survey has been completed by a member or a few members of our team, we’ll then work with you to make sure you understand what to do next, what specialists you may need, and where to find them.
Why Choose Fourth Wall For Your Quinquennial Survey?
We understand the importance of finding the perfect surveyor for your historic building. When you choose Fourth Wall, not only will you find a team of experts to work with, but you can trust our decades of specialist experience. In fact, our team has worked on some of the most prestigious historic buildings in the UK, including the likes of Buckingham Palace, Kensington Palace, and Windsor Castle – so you know you’re in safe hands!
Our team understands that each project, and church or cathedral, is unique, which is why we tailor each of our services to your exact needs. Forget the jargon-heavy, unclear, old-fashioned advice – when you work with Fourth Wall, you’ll be provided with clear actionable advice so you’re able to understand exactly what your church building needs, with a clear roadmap for the months and years ahead.
Start your journey with Fourth Wall by booking a free, no-obligation consultation with our chartered surveyors.
Need additional advice?
Get more from your survey
One size doesn’t fit all with historic buildings. If you’re planning a renovation, extension, or other building work for your church, a structural survey might not be enough. Here at Fourth Wall, we offer a suite of comprehensive building services, which can be completed at the same time as your quinquennial survey
Heritage Impact Assessments
Building Reinstatement Cost Assessments
Architectural Services
Quinquennial Survey FAQs
How Much Does a Quinquennial Inspection Cost?
Because every building is different in terms of size, construction method, and unique features – particularly when it comes to churches – it is hard to give an exact figure for the cost of a quinquennial survey. However, you can expect to pay between £1500 and £3500, on average. Get in touch with our team for a quote tailored to you.
How Often Should a Church’s Structure Be Inspected?
It’s in the name – quinquennial means every five years, the minimum period in which a professional should inspect your church’s structure. However, if you are about to make extensive changes to the building, or if you spot any issues to the structure of your church, we’d recommend having a survey completed much sooner.
What Aspects Does a Church Building Survey Look At?
A quinquennial church survey primarily focuses on the structural integrity of the church. This includes, but is not limited to the:
- Protected trees, boundary treatments and other external areas relevant to the significance and operation of the site.
- All accessible structural elements of the building internally and externally, with specific focus on elements of outstanding architectural, artistic, historical or archaeological value.
- Movable articles which the Archdeacon has directed to treat as of outstanding architectural, artistic, historical or archaeological value, or of significant monetary value, or at special risk of being stolen or damaged.
- External buildings (such as those in the churchyard) and any ruins within the site.
- Protected trees, boundary treatments and other external areas relevant to the significance and operation of the site
What Our Clients Say.
We could tell you how great our team and services are, but that would be too easy. Why not take a look at what some of our previous clients have said?
Ready to take the next steps?
Book Your Fourth Wall Church Survey
Gain the knowledge and expertise required to make necessary changes to your historic building with support from our professional chartered surveyors. If you are interested in completing a quinquennial survey, fill out the contact form below or contact us by email or phone.
Local Knowledge
National Coverage.
We have surveyors based across England in our regional offices. With expert knowledge of their local areas, you know you’re in safe hands.
Fourth Wall // Yorkshire
Sheffield
Cubo Work, 38 Carver Street
Sheffield
S1 4FS
Fourth Wall // Midlands
Birmingham
Cubo Work, 4th Floor,
2 Chamberlain Sq
Birmingham
B3 3AX
