Structural engineer for cracks - necessary?

[Highvibe]

We are buying a 1980s self build house. There are a number of cracks in the house. We are going to get full structural survey but someone also suggested we get a structural engineer to look at it. Has anyone else done this? How much do they typically charge? Thanks

We had similar with an older (1930s) house. Cracks flagged in first survey, got a structural engineer to inspect further and it was largely due to failed lintels above rear windows rather than anything more worrying (windows were being replaced anyway).

Gave us confidence that the problem was limited and nothing more significant, also helped budget/negotiate for the cost

Your structural surveyor will advise you to bring I. A structural engineer to advise further if they feel it warrants it. The SE will then be able to give you an idea of what kind of work you are looking at needing, and how much it might cost.

For reasons of insurance, the structural surveyor is unlikely to offer that kind of detail unless they have the additional qualifications to off structural engineering advice.