EWS1 Certificate

An EWS1 certificate, also called an EWS1 form, as the two terms mean the same thing, is a fire engineer’s signed assessment of a building’s external wall construction, confirming whether it poses a fire risk. Residential buildings over 11m with cladding, render or another external wall system typically need one, and without a valid form, most lenders won’t approve a mortgage, insurers may restrict cover, and a sale can stall entirely.

EWS1 Certificate Overview

The completed assessment results in an A1, A2, A3, B1 or B2 rating. A1, A2 and B1 indicate that no remedial works are considered necessary, while A3 and B2 indicate that remediation may be required. An EWS1 Certificate is valid for five years from the date of signature, although whether an existing form is accepted for a particular mortgage or valuation depends on the circumstances and the individual lender’s requirements.

Complete EWS1 Certificate Service

We manage the whole project as one price — opening-up works, access, and coordination with an independent, accredited fire engineer — rather than a fire engineer’s fee billed separately from everything else. Tell us about your building and we’ll tell you exactly what’s involved and what it’ll cost.

  • Opening-up investigation

    Discreet inspection holes created to inspect cavity barriers, insulation, and fire-stopping.

  • Access equipment

    All necessary MEWPs, scaffolding or towers supplied and managed.

  • Site operatives

    Our team of experienced, qualified surveyors to carry out physical works safely (plus a banksman provided if the building has high footfall).

  • Permits / site requirements

    Handling local notices, parking suspensions, and health & safety documentation.

  • Independent Fire Engineer Assessment

    Full site inspection and evaluation by an accredited, professional fire engineer.

  • EWS1 Certificate issued

    The official, signed EWS1 form delivered upon successful completion.

  • Full reinstatement (making good all opened areas)

    Making good, repairing, and restoring all disturbed surfaces back to their original condition.

  • Project coordination

    End-to-end management so you don’t have to juggle multiple contractors.

One quoted price covers the full project — not a professional fee billed separately from the physical investigation. See our EWS1 Survey Cost guide for how pricing works by building height.

EWS1 Certificate Process

We keep things transparent and straightforward. Here is a quick breakdown of what to expect from your initial inquiry to the final signed certificate.

Provide Details

Height, wall construction, and reason for the EWS1 (sale, remortgage, insurance).

Desktop review

We check existing drawings, records, and previous surveys

Opening-up investigation

Physical access to wall construction at required locations

Fire Engineer Assessment

Findings are evaluated and the final rating is issued.

EWS1 Certificate Issued

Signed certificate ready for lenders, insurers, or solicitors.

Trusted EWS1 Survey Assessments

We support a diverse client base, including major developers, housing providers, and consulting firms. We deliver a consistent, compliant, and well-coordinated process that aligns with broader building safety and regulatory goals.

Where Building Safety Fund (BSF) or Cladding Safety Scheme (CSS) funding is required, our reports are produced to Homes England standards, ensuring full acceptance and avoiding the costly delays and repeat surveys that can arise from non-compliant documentation.