Why Do You Need Bat Surveys?
When planning roofing, construction or renovation work, it can be tempting to assume that bats are unlikely to be present. It’s easy to feel certain there are “no bats around” because you have never seen them. However, bats use buildings in subtle ways that are easy to miss, and failing to identify them before starting work can lead to significant delays, costs and legal consequences.
A proper bat survey is one of the simplest ways to protect both your project and the wildlife that depends on your building. Here are the key reasons they are essential…
1. Protect yourself from legal and financial consequences
All bats and their roosts are protected by law. Damaging, disturbing or destroying a roost— even unintentionally—can lead to prosecution.
For individuals, fines have exceeded £7,000, while for developers penalties have been up to £600,000 (the largest fine for a wildlife crime in UK history was related to a destroyed bat roost). These figures do not include the indirect costs of stopping work, reorganising schedules or dealing with enforcement action.
A bat survey provides the information you need to comply with legislation and avoid the far-reaching consequences of accidental harm.
2. Avoid avoidable delays
If a planning authority requests a bat survey late in the process, everything can come to a halt. Works cannot legally continue if there is any possibility that bats may be affected, and once your Local Planning Authority asks for evidence, it must be provided before they can proceed with giving you consent for your work.
If surveys are carried out too late in the season, you may also need to wait months for the next suitable survey window. Starting early prevents delays due to the seasonal nature of bat surveying and keeps your project timeline intact.
3. Reduce the risk of costly stoppages
If bats are found once works have already begun, the consequences can be extensive and expensive. Contractors may need to stop immediately, leaving scaffolding, equipment and labour already on site. Additional surveys or assessments may be required, and any planned works that could affect bat roosts may need to be redesigned.
These unexpected costs are almost always avoidable. A timely survey gives you clarity and allows you to plan confidently from the outset.
4. you cannot tell by looking
We often hear property owners say, “I know there aren’t any bats.” In practice, this is almost never something you can determine without a proper survey. Bats can use gaps of 10-15mm, and many roosts leave very few obvious signs. A full, professional survey provides certainty and protects you from assumptions that could cause problems later.
Plan ahead for a smooth, cost-effective project
Starting with a bat survey is a proactive step that keeps your project running smoothly. Our surveys are cost-effective, and we make sure you receive clear, practical information suitable for planning applications, contractor planning and regulatory compliance.
By getting in touch early, you give yourself the time to plan, budget and proceed confidently—without unnecessary risks or delays. If you think you may need a bat survey, we are always happy to discuss your project and help you understand the next steps.
If you need a bat survey (or think you might) get in touch with our team of specialist ecologists!
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