Cracking Plaster - Structural Inspection needed?

ScottyNI

Hi,

3 months ago I had a damp proof course fitted to terrace house. The walls have been left to dry out. The plaster on the wall separating the hall and the living room has cracked horizontally where the new plaster meets the old plaster. The cracks are a few mm wide, run along the whole wall and probably too big for a decorating job.

I asked the contractor to come out and look at the issue and they have recommended a structural survey. They will not fix the issue until one has taken place. I am finding out how much this costs but I am guessing it costs more for the survey than to fix the cracks. Can the contractor make this stipulation with no other evidence than these cracks in the new plaster and some vertical cracks around the door? Is it reasonable to expect me to pay a further £400 or whatever to rule out something before they will fix the cracks?

Any help much appreciated!

phill99

I'm guessing the existing plaster isn't plaster, but a render. If that's the case, differential expansion has caused the cracks. Just put some filler in them and paint over them.

You'll waste money on a structural survey!

jcb208

Joining old to new plaster will always be prone to cracking,as said just fill the crack with filler.You could scrim tape over the join which will more a less stop the cracking from coming back again