Dealing with a subsidence claim - throwing good after bad

flyonthewall01

HI

New to the forum. Wondering if anybody has had experience of dealing with a serious subsidence claim. As the landlord I reported a claim for subsidence four years ago to insurers, I believed at the time it was only the two extensions that were affected. Loss Adjusters agreed they were too bad to be repaired and supported complete demolition and rebuild. In the meantime drains and veg were removed and soil samples taken which revealed the house was built on fill with 600mm foundations. Subsidence has continued to both the extensions and main house especially so through the wet winter we have had with the front door frame becoming distorted (not wood swell!). Bought the Building Research Engineering book on the subject had a distortion and brick level survey done a month ago myself: the whole house is severely distorted with nearly 2 inches movement across one room.

Although I have had a quote from a piling company and they say they can jack up parts of the building they are not 100% sure this will work and will cost £52k with the VAT, insurers have agreed to £38k for repairs and part demolition. I am not prepared to accept a cash settlement for repair now as I am chasing good after bad. Several of the walls are bowing severely and I would conisder the house to be a cat 4 extensive damage. When we had a 10 yr land rover written off for panel damage only the threshold for write off was 60%. The house is insured for £165k and repairs are in the order of at least £100k+, how should I settle this claim with a view to complete demolition and rebuild - rebuild is probably £130-£140k (only 70 sqm)? Loss Adjusters are a complete waste of time and we are dealing directly with insurers now, who are more amenable - probably because they are now paying loss of rent monthly - tenant moved out.