Cracks in buildings

What do we do?

Our Chartered Building Surveyors will inspect your property and provide a report that comments any new or existing cracks, along with any further specific areas of concern you may have regarding the construction of your home including damp, subsidence and roof structures. This service is suitable for all types of residential and commercial property, including flats and properties of non-standard construction.

Following a thorough inspection of the building defect, you will receive a report that provides an overview of the issue, identifies the probable causes and sets out any steps that should be taken to rectify it. The report will be addressed to you as the homeowner so it can be passed on to your insurance providers in the event of a claim. We can also extend our service to include a specification of work needed and manage any building works required to remedy the defect and restore your home to its previous condition.

Our aim is to provide you with peace of mind that your home is safe, secure and that any remedial works needed are specified and costed professionally.

Turn around 

Reports are turned around within five to seven days of inspection and you will be able to talk directly to the surveyor working on your behalf should you have any questions when you receive your report.

How much does a building defect report cost?

You can typically expect to pay an hourly fee (a minimum of two hours) for a straight forward residential inspection and report, but for larger or more complex defects, especially those requiring additional equipment such as cherry pickers for external roof access, will cost more. The exact cost will depend on a number of factors specific to the property including access to the defect, distance from the surveyor and severity of the defect in question.

The prices above are indicative only. We cannot give you an exact figure until you have confirmed the property address and have fully outlined the fault you are concern about, as every property is different. The professional fees payable will always reflect the particular requirements of your property and the time which it is anticipated will be devoted to the matter

Contact us to get a quote

What is covered in a building defect inspection?

• A thorough inspection of all accessible areas of the property affected by the defect in question
• Production of a report that comments on the defect, its effects, probable cause and any remedial works required.
• Consultation prior to the inspection to ensure any specific concerns you have are considered in the inspection and report

I’ve spotted a new crack in my wall, what should I do?

You should contact a Chartered Building Surveyor or your insurance company with the intention of finding the source of the problem. Some insurance providers will offer to send a Surveyor to your property to review the defect in the first instance but others will require a report from a Surveyor before considering the claim. Kempton Carr Croft can be instructed directly by you or your insurance provider as required.

An existing crack in my wall is getting bigger, what should I do?

You should contact a Chartered Building Surveyor or your insurance company with the intention of finding the source of the problem. Some insurance providers will offer to send a Surveyor to your property to review the defect in the first instance but others will require a report from a Surveyor before considering the claim. Kempton Carr Croft can be instructed directly by you or your insurance provider as required.

Will my insurance company cover cracks in my home?

Each home insurance policy and provider offer different levels of cover. If you experience any issues with the structure and fabric of your home you should contact your insurance provider in the first instance to establish if the defect is covered, and to what level. If cover is available, you will usually be able to claim the costs of the remedial works against your insurance policy and possibly even your surveyors report, minus any excess payable in the event of a claim.

What causes cracks to appear in my home?

Common causes of cracks in brick and concrete walls, pavements and driveways are; tree roots, hot weather, drainage blockages, and in severe cases, subsidence. See our blog ‘common causes of cracks in walls’ for more information on each.

Do you conduct defect inspections in my area?

Kempton Carr Croft’s Chartered Surveyors regularly complete building defect analysis inspections throughout London and the whole of the South East of England. The team works from offices in Basingstoke, Camberley, Gerrards Cross, Maidenhead, London, Reading, Staines and Windsor.

Contact the team.