Single Building Assessment (SBA) - Scotland
A Single Building Assessment establishes the risk to life created, or made worse, by a building's external wall system — and sets out what work, if any, is needed to eliminate or mitigate that risk. It is the foundation of Scotland's Cladding Remediation Programme, which aims to have every high-risk residential building over 18 metres resolved, and every building between 11 and 18 metres on a defined pathway to resolution, by 2029.
What an SBA Involves
We assess the external wall construction of your building using documentary review, on-site investigation and, where needed, intrusive opening-up, drone inspection of elevations and LiDAR capture of the building fabric. The result is a clear, evidenced report: what the wall build-up actually is, what risk it presents to life, and what — if anything — needs to change.
Why It Matters Now
Demand for SBAs in Scotland is significant and accelerating, driven by the Scottish Government's programme, lender requirements and residents seeking certainty. An SBA done properly the first time avoids repeat visits, disputed findings and stalled sales.
Why Kirkwood
We are based in Scotland, we know the SBA process and the buildings it applies to, and we carry out the investigation and the engineering appraisal as one team. Because Building Surveying is one of our core disciplines - project management, contract administration and procurement included - an SBA with Kirkwood is the start of a route to resolution, not just a report.
Who This Is For
Homeowners and residents' groups, factors and property managers, housing associations, local authorities and developers with multi-storey residential stock in Scotland.