Can anyone give a estimate on how much substanice costs to fix???

angeleyes

Hi
We are viewing a house and have a feeling it may have substaiance and that why is quite cheap - it it a semi detached 3 bed -does anyone have any experience of this and how much roughly it would cost

many many thanks

Doozergirl

Subsidence will cost around £1000 per metre to rectify. There'll be a lot of remedial work inside like replastering and redecorating as it makes a right mess. You will also have to pay a few hundred pounds to Building Control to have them inspect the pits.

Before you go ahead, you'll need a structural engineer to look at the building. They may have an idea of what is causing the problem but they will probably ask for trial pits to be dug. You'll also probably want a drain survey as it could be caused by drains collapsing, though if you're in an area where houses are built on clay, like London, then this is most likely to be the problem.

What evidence is showing to suggest subsidence?

HTH

mystic_trev

Personally I wouldn't touch it, I owned a house that had subsidence and it was a buggar to shift. The other problem you get is Insurance. Even once it's been "fixed" you'll end up having to pay a vast premium!

YBNB

As a former Surveyor, I'd like to modify what Doozergirl says to include - it depends on the reason for the subsidence, the type of subsidence, whether it is still occurring or is dormant, or may recur in the future.

In short, if you'll excuse the mixed metaphor - subsidence is a real minefield.

You really need a thorough structural survey to give you an even half-way accurate estimate of the likely cost of remedial works.

Be very careful, and happy hunting.