Why London homes face this
Much of London sits on shrinkable clay, which swells when wet and shrinks in dry, warm summers, especially near trees. That is why so many London houses have moved at some point. After a subsidence claim, insurers treat a property as a higher risk, and premiums can stay high for several years.
When an insurance report helps
- Your premium has jumped because of past subsidence, and you want to shop around.
- You are buying a home that has been underpinned or had a subsidence claim, and insurers want evidence it is stable.
- Your insurer wants an engineer's view on cracks at renewal or after a change of policy.
- You are making a claim and want an independent explanation of the damage and its cause.
How we help
An engineer inspects the house, reviews the history of any movement and repairs, and reports on whether the structure is currently stable and what risk remains. The report documents the condition of the property, sets out any repairs needed and recommends preventive measures. Where earlier works were carried out, such as underpinning or tree removal, we look at whether they appear to have done their job. We write each report to suit the insurer's requirements.
Over the past eight years we have helped hundreds of clients move to a new insurer with a report that set out the condition of their home clearly. Some have saved thousands of pounds in premiums.
We cannot promise an insurer will lower a premium; that decision is theirs. What a good report does is replace uncertainty with evidence, which is what an underwriter needs to price the risk.
If the insurer wants proof movement has stopped
Sometimes a single visit cannot show whether movement is still happening. In that case we can fix gauges across the cracks and take readings over several months. Read more about crack monitoring.
Common questions
How much does a structural report for insurance cost?
There is no standard fee. In London, structural inspections and reports typically cost from about £400 to £2,000, depending on the size, type and age of the property, what the report is for, how much needs inspecting, access to lofts, basements and roofs, and how serious the issues are. Crack monitoring, CCTV drain surveys, trial pits, soil investigations and calculations are quoted separately. We give you a price before you book.
Will a subsidence claim affect my premiums in later years?
Usually, yes. Insurers see a property with a claim as a higher risk, and premiums can rise for several years. How much depends on how severe the subsidence was, what the repairs cost and what has been done to prevent it happening again.
Can a structural report help reduce my premium after a claim?
In most cases it can help. Insurers may offer better terms when they can see a thorough assessment of the house and evidence that it has been repaired and is now stable.
Which inspection does an insurance report need?
It depends on the history of the house and what the insurer has asked. Tell us what the insurer wants and we will recommend the right level before you book.
I think my house has subsidence now. Should I call you or my insurer?
If you suspect active subsidence, tell your buildings insurer: most policies cover it and the insurer will normally appoint its own investigators. An independent report from us is useful if you want a second opinion, or if you are buying or selling. See subsidence investigations.
How quickly will I get the report?
Usually within 5 working days of the inspection. This is our normal turnaround, not a guarantee: at busy times, or when we are waiting for information, it can take longer, and we will tell you if it will. If you are working to a deadline, fast track brings it to within 48 hours of the inspection, from £120*.
