What should you bring to an assessment?
Start with the property address and the shoreline it faces. A bayfront lot, sheltered canal and Gulf-front parcel need different access and permit questions.
- Photograph the same wall sections from stable ground; keep the date and viewpoint.
- Find the last survey, approved plans, permit number and completion record.
- List new depressions, widening cracks, exposed steel and changes after rain or a storm.
- Explain whether the visit is for a repair decision, a purchase or association planning.
The City asks for adjoining-wall and top-of-cap elevations in its seawall submittal. Ask whether the existing survey contains them before paying for duplicate work.
Separate cap damage from a wall-system problem
A photograph of a crack cannot establish its depth or cause. Ask the assessor to identify the cap, panels, joints and connections involved, and distinguish an observation from a diagnosis.
Request a marked photo set showing the exact length proposed for repair. If the quote says “seal all cracks,” ask what preparation, material, drainage checks and follow-up are included.
Record settlement without probing the edge
Note where soil or pavers have dropped and whether the change follows rain, irrigation or high water. Keep people and heavy equipment away from visibly unstable ground.
For void filling, ask how the source of soil loss will be checked and what would make injection unsuitable. The foam guide explains the questions to put in the scope.
What does a visual inspection leave out?
InterNACHI’s waterfront standard is limited to visible, above-water conditions; it does not establish hidden damage or remaining service life. Ask separately about underwater observation, buried anchors and engineering analysis.
- Which parts cannot be reached?
- Is a diver, camera, surveyor or engineer included?
- Will limitations and next investigations appear in writing?
Make post-storm comparisons useful
Match recent photographs to older views. Record water marks and displaced soil without guessing whether every defect was storm-caused. Keep the assessment separate from an insurer’s coverage decision.
Use the Naples storm checklist before clearing evidence or arranging permanent work.
Turn the visit into a usable report
Before booking, ask what access is needed, who receives the report and whether the proposed inspection answers your purpose. A buyer, an association board and an owner investigating soil loss may need different outputs. Send the written scope to everyone relying on the report.
| Scope item | What to request |
|---|---|
Observed condition | Ask for labeled photos and a location plan so each finding can be tied to a specific wall section. |
Unexamined components | Request a list of concealed or underwater areas not assessed and whether additional investigation is recommended. |
Next decision | Ask which findings support repair, further investigation or a replacement design, and what can remain in service pending that decision. |
Ask for an answer you can use
The deliverable should identify the observed problem, investigated areas, uninspected areas, recommended next work and the basis for that recommendation. Confirm the fee and delivery date directly with the professional.
Take those findings into the repair-or-replacement comparison; a sales visit and a sealed engineering report are different purchases.
Show sourcesHide sources
- Seawall permit checklistSource reviewed 2026-11-05
- Waterfront protective structure inspection standardSource reviewed 2026-10-25