Found out my house has been underpinned

DaftyDuck

Poppy_Kennedy wrote: »

Thanks Dafty Duck i really do appreciate your advice on this - we havent actually told anyone (apart from the builders) so its good to get other people's views on this.

I am still miffed why the full survey we paid fordidnt bring this up though

Don't be miffed... be relieved.

The surveyor can only go by what he can see; he can't dig holes on the off-chance. Presumably (and assuming he knew what he was doing; most do) he looked, and saw nothing that worried him. What cracks were visible were to be expected in an oldish house.

Here's hoping the same surveyor comes back when you sell... and, if I were to buy it, I won't worry either...

Really, you have nothing to worry about.... (...Porobably... Errors & omissions excepted. DD accepts no liability for any words that come from his beak or fingers ...ever. So There!!!)

Leif

Poppy_Kennedy wrote: »

re the soil the house is on - all i remember was a passing comment from my building saying its 'nice sandy soil'

I would worry more about having a talking building, than subsidence. Let's hope it doesn't run away and join a circus, it'd make a fortune, and leave you without a roof over your head. Fingers crossed.

Poppy_Kennedy wrote: »

We do pay slightly more (i think) for insurance as we told them that the survey picked up historic movement.

So you told the insurer about underpinning? If so, then you have revealed the truth to the world, and that could cause you problems in future. And I hope you are not using your real name as a forum id, that could cause issues.

cyclonebri1

I have to post again to say that the previous owner of your house wouldn't have been the 1st to have been convinced they needed a few minor settlement issues fixed by underpinning, :mad::mad::mad:

Furts

Poppy_Kennedy wrote: »

Avoriaz - Hello!! Weybridge is a lovely area! hope your enjoying West Sussex




This is what i thought and i dont want anything to be official, or down on paper

THANK YOU all so much for your words of wisdom and positive replies, i have spent so long worrying about this, i feel alot better now thanks to you guys!

I may well get a structural engineer to look at the old longstanding cracks just for final piece of mind but not actually mention the underpinning incase anything comes up once we come to sell.

Thanks again :beer:

Hi Poppy
In case it helps, if you do decide to get a structural engineer to have a look at "things", this person will be acting for you and, within reason, will write with consideration of your position.

You can make the scope and brief clear. "I want you to look at the cracks and whilst there my, (possibly), underpinned foundation...if it is fine you can write whilst at the property existing foundations were visible whilst an extension was being dug, everything was fine...The alternative, if things are not OK you get a verbal opinion with the item excluded from the report." Not the precise wording, but I am sure you understand the principle.

You will pay for the report provided it meets your brief, with this procedure discussed in advance. It can be done, I am familiar with this.

You are in control, hence for your personal circumstances of worry and stress, this is a win, win scenario for you.

Poppy_Kennedy

Thanks everyone for your replies. The advice has been fantastic and i have taken it all on board!

Furts... that is the approach i will take if i get a surveyor which i think i definately will at some stage - part of me is worried he may tell me something bad eeekkk - but, i will do it before we out the house on the market in the future and for my own peace of mind so i can stop obsessing over it!

thanks again everyone!!