Buying house-sitting crack external wall

kurtcobainmedico

Hi, we are very near to exchanging contract and building survey has pointed this out. Only highlighted in amber for concern. How worried should we be? Worth paying structural engineer to have a look? Thanks for any advise. Unable to post image as new user but the report says :

There is evidence of movement in the form of
vertical cracks to the side extension and we
recommend this be monitored by a structural
engineer with tell tale gauges to ensure this is not
progressive.
Where there is evidence of previous movement to
the property, it would be prudent to maintain the
existing insurance cover to ensure there is
continuity in the event of any future claim.

G_M

Monitoring to see if it is progressive will take 6 - 12 months.


I'd want to know before Exchange.


Ask a structural engineer for an opinion.

societys_child

vertical cracks to the side extension

How big is the extension and where are the cracks in relation to the main building?

lookstraightahead

Does that mean subsidence?

AdrianC

lookstraightahead wrote: »

Does that mean subsidence?

It might, it might not.


Subsidence might be one cause of progressive movement. You don't yet know whether there IS progressive movement - that's what they're recommending you ascertain.


I'd be walking away, unless it's a dirt-cheap project.

kurtcobainmedico

Thanks to all who replied. It's a small side extension with utility room. Crack is right at the junction between this and main building wall. It's not very wide but running almost half way to the length of the wall. I spoke to surveyor and he thinks quite certain it is the extension and not the main wall. He has said £20k for underpinning and rebuilding extension. I told agents that pulling out but the seller is agreeing to do structural survey at her own cost. Am not sure if the survey is ok will I be safe? Will it still have impact on insurance, selling and remortgaging. They may say it's historical crack so where will I stand. Quite stuck now. Thanks again for looking and suggestions.

oldwiring

kurtcobainmedico wrote: »

Thanks to all who replied. It's a small side extension with utility room. Crack is right at the junction between this and main building wall. It's not very wide but running almost half way to the length of the wall. I spoke to surveyor and he thinks quite certain it is the extension and not the main wall. He has said £20k for underpinning and rebuilding extension. I told agents that pulling out but the seller is agreeing to do structural survey at her own cost. Am not sure if the survey is ok will I be safe? Will it still have impact on insurance, selling and remortgaging. They may say it's historical crack so where will I stand. Quite stuck now. Thanks again for looking and suggestions.

I'm none too sure about the seller getting the survey done. The surveyor will NOT be working for you.
As to picture, you could upload to Google One Drive and post a shareable link to the forum. I hope the rules allow that.