Width and geometry are recorded against a fixed scale.
SPECIALIST / EVIDENCE FILE / MBC
Subsidence assessment and investigation
Cracking in a building raises difficult questions: is it subsidence, settlement, thermal movement or something else entirely? Getting the answer right matters — for insurance claims, for purchases, and for deciding whether expensive intervention is actually needed.
Worried about a crack? Try our cracks in walls checker.
01 / SYMPTOM → EVIDENCE
Who this service is for
This service is built on years of experience handling large loss and complex insurance claims — including subsidence — as a regional technical surveyor. That background means the assessment is grounded in how movement claims are actually investigated, evidenced and resolved.
The opinion you receive is independent. Whether you are a policyholder, an insurer or a purchaser, the assessment follows the evidence — not the interests of any party.
- 01
Homeowners with cracking or movement who want an honest first assessment before involving insurers
- 02
Policyholders in an ongoing subsidence claim who want independent technical support
- 03
Purchasers considering a property with a history of movement or an active claim
- 04
Insurers and claims handlers needing regional technical input
What the assessment covers
- E01
Inspection and mapping of cracking and distortion
- E02
Causation analysis — distinguishing subsidence, heave, settlement, thermal and moisture movement
- E03
Assessment of vegetation, drainage and ground factors
- E04
Instruction and review of specialist investigations: drainage surveys (CCTV), site investigation boreholes, root analysis, level and crack monitoring
- E05
Interpretation of monitoring data and investigation reports
- E06
A written, evidence-based opinion suitable for insurers, policyholders or purchasers
02 / METHOD
How it works
A traceable line from symptom to evidence, cause and next action.- 01
EVIDENCE GATE / 1
Initial discussion
A short conversation about the symptoms, history and any claim context, so the right scope is agreed before any fee is incurred.
- 02
EVIDENCE GATE / 2
Inspection
A detailed inspection of the damage, the building and the site factors around it.
- 03
EVIDENCE GATE / 3
Investigation where needed
If the cause cannot be established visually, specialist investigations are recommended, arranged and reviewed on your behalf.
- 04
EVIDENCE GATE / 4
Opinion and report
A clear written opinion on causation, significance and sensible next steps — in language that works for insurers, solicitors and homeowners alike.
03 / BEFORE YOU INSTRUCT
Questions worth answering first.
Scope, access, limitations and what happens after the inspection—explained before they become surprises.
Is this a substitute for a structural engineer?
No — and the report is explicit about that. This service establishes causation and manages investigation. Where structural calculations or repair design are required, a structural engineer is the right professional, and the report will identify when that point is reached.
Can you help with a claim my insurer has declined?
Yes. An independent review of the evidence and the insurer’s position is available through the insurance claims consultancy service, including support with Financial Ombudsman Service referrals where appropriate.
Should I buy a house with a history of subsidence?
Sometimes — a properly investigated, properly repaired property with documentation can be a reasonable purchase. The assessment reviews the history, the repairs and the current evidence so you can decide with your eyes open.
How long does subsidence investigation take?
An initial opinion can often be given after one inspection. Where monitoring is required, expect months rather than weeks — level and crack monitoring needs time to show a trend. The report will be straight with you about the realistic timescale.
Standards we work to
The standards and guidance behind this service.
We work to published professional standards and official guidance, not house opinion. These are the references that govern or inform this work — worth reading if you want to check what good looks like.
- BRE Digest 251: Assessment of damage in low-rise buildings — BRE. The damage classification used by surveyors, engineers and insurers to describe cracking.
- Assessing cracks in houses — BRE. BRE’s guidance on assessing cracks in houses.
- Mining reports — Mining Remediation Authority. Coal mining reports for properties in former mining areas across Yorkshire and the North.
- Insurance complaints — Financial Ombudsman Service. Where policyholders can take a subsidence claim dispute the insurer won’t resolve.
NEW INSTRUCTION / Subsidence assessment
Turn the symptom into evidence.
Send the property address and the situation for a fixed quote and an honest recommendation.
Request a quote