How much does it cost to deal with a structural crack in Gloucester?
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Cracks and subsidence
Many cracks are cosmetic, caused by plaster shrinking, new work drying out or small seasonal movement. Hairline cracks inside, especially where walls meet ceilings, are common and usually nothing to worry about.
Some signs are more serious. The Association of British Insurers suggests a crack more than 3 millimetres wide may point to a problem. Look out too for cracks that are wider at the top than the bottom, cracks that run diagonally from the corners of doors and windows, doors and windows that start sticking, and cracks that keep growing.
If you think it could be subsidence, contact your home insurer before any repairs start. Most home insurance covers subsidence, and the insurer will usually want to investigate the cause. They may appoint their own specialists. Repairing the damage yourself first can make a claim harder.
Subsidence is often linked to clay soils drying out, trees and shrubs drawing water from the ground, or leaking drains softening the soil. A structural engineer may be needed to find the cause and say what repairs are needed. Fixing the crack without dealing with the cause rarely lasts.
For cracks that are clearly cosmetic, or where the cause has been dealt with and you just need the damage repaired, a builder can help. Repairs might include stitching cracked brickwork, repointing, replastering and redecorating.
What to include when you post
A good set of photos lets a builder make a first judgement before visiting. Include:
- Where the crack is, and whether it’s inside, outside or both
- Photos with a tape measure or ruler held against the crack
- Roughly how long and wide it is, and whether it’s wider at one end
- Whether it’s changed recently, and whether doors or windows are sticking
- Any trees, drains or recent building work nearby
- Whether your insurer or an engineer has already been involved
- The rough age of the house, and whether it’s been extended
If your insurer has already agreed the cause is dealt with, say so. The builder will know the job is repair only, and can ask to see the engineer’s report.
When to involve your insurer
If you suspect subsidence, contact your home insurer before repairs start. They’ll advise on next steps and may appoint their own specialists to investigate and manage repairs. A structural engineer may be needed to find the cause before any builder repairs the damage.
If you’re arranging repairs yourself, ask the builder:
- What they think caused the crack, and whether it’s likely to move again
- Whether they’ll follow an engineer’s report, if there is one
- How they’ll repair it: crack stitching, rebuilding, repointing or filling
- Whether making good inside, and redecorating, are included
Get the quote in writing, and keep records of the crack before and after.
Not quite the right job?
See every job on our Builder page, or post it anyway and describe it in your own words.
Before a tradesperson starts work
Registrations
Some work must be done by a registered professional. Work on a gas boiler, cooker or fire must be done by a Gas Safe registered engineer, which you can check on the Gas Safe Register.
Our business check
Limited companies are checked with Companies House and sole traders upload their insurance certificate. Trade registrations are confirmed by the tradesperson when they sign up.
Get the price in writing
Ask for a written quote that sets out the work and the price before anything starts. Your contract for the work is with the tradesperson.
Questions
What people tend to ask before booking this job. For anything specific to your home, ask the tradesperson who takes it on when they get in touch.
No. Hairline cracks in plaster are common and usually cosmetic. Cracks more than about 3 millimetres wide, diagonal cracks near doors and windows, or ones that are growing are worth having looked at.
If you think it is subsidence, your home insurer. For a crack you just want repairing, post the job here.
Most buildings insurance does, though policies vary and there's often a higher excess for subsidence. Damage limited to driveways, patios or garden walls is often excluded. Check your policy.
They can, particularly on clay soils, where roots draw moisture out of the ground. Don't cut down a tree before getting advice, as removing it can cause the ground to swell. Some trees are protected and need council consent.
Mark the ends with a pencil and date them, and take photos with a ruler against the crack every few weeks. If it gets longer or wider, get it checked.