Engineers and designers converting existing buildings often want to know what load the existing timbers can carry. EBS carries out a visual grading of the timbers classifying then into GS (C14) or SS (C24) grades. This process requires that the full length of the timber to be assessed is visible with no paint finishes.

The timber species is identified, the knot area ratio, slope of grain, growth ring spacing and defects such as splits and bark pockets are identified then a grade is assigned to the timber. Where a timber can only be seen partially a grade is given to that section only.