Hi all,
Recently created a thread re possible subsidence in a house we are looking to buy. In the end the thorough structural survey came back with a recommendation (actually many recommendations, most minor, as it's a 1930's semi) for further investigation on possible subsidence (mortgage survey 'advised' this was not necessary and the movement was 'long standing' and 'not progressive').
So we organised a structural surveyor to go out and take a proper look and dig bore holes. The report (back a short while ago) recommends that due to the poor ground conditions (from the exploratory bore holes) they are unable to provide a guarantee of cessation of movement - in order to provide this guarantee it would be necessary to underpin (strip not suitable therefore it recommends piled foundations).
It then advised gaining competitive quotes and a spec and scheme drawn up (costing around £450) - then professional fees for designs and drawings et al sort for tender to builders etc.
Anticipated cost for underpinning work - £15,000!
Really not sure where we stand with this - we're still keen on the house as it offers us more over better long term (corner plot, plenty of room for extensions...). We went right up to the budget on this house so definitely no room for us to pay that - I'm hoping the house's insurance would cover it (after which we take over the vendors house insurance).
£15,000 does sound an awful lot for what amounts to subsidence affecting one side/corner of the house.
A small part of me tells me to leave it until we eventually extend (and strengthen the foundations when adding new ones) but if it is genuinely beginning to fall down (and the building surveyor and structural company are both locally renown and respected)...
We sold our own some time ago, and two other houses have already fallen through...this really is testing our collective heads!
Hope somebody can help shed a little light on this...
Many thanks.
Recently created a thread re possible subsidence in a house we are looking to buy. In the end the thorough structural survey came back with a recommendation (actually many recommendations, most minor, as it's a 1930's semi) for further investigation on possible subsidence (mortgage survey 'advised' this was not necessary and the movement was 'long standing' and 'not progressive').
So we organised a structural surveyor to go out and take a proper look and dig bore holes. The report (back a short while ago) recommends that due to the poor ground conditions (from the exploratory bore holes) they are unable to provide a guarantee of cessation of movement - in order to provide this guarantee it would be necessary to underpin (strip not suitable therefore it recommends piled foundations).
It then advised gaining competitive quotes and a spec and scheme drawn up (costing around £450) - then professional fees for designs and drawings et al sort for tender to builders etc.
Anticipated cost for underpinning work - £15,000!
Really not sure where we stand with this - we're still keen on the house as it offers us more over better long term (corner plot, plenty of room for extensions...). We went right up to the budget on this house so definitely no room for us to pay that - I'm hoping the house's insurance would cover it (after which we take over the vendors house insurance).
£15,000 does sound an awful lot for what amounts to subsidence affecting one side/corner of the house.
A small part of me tells me to leave it until we eventually extend (and strengthen the foundations when adding new ones) but if it is genuinely beginning to fall down (and the building surveyor and structural company are both locally renown and respected)...
We sold our own some time ago, and two other houses have already fallen through...this really is testing our collective heads!
Hope somebody can help shed a little light on this...
Many thanks.