Homes we inspect in Acton
South Acton and Acton Green, next to Chiswick, are mostly Victorian and Edwardian terraces, many converted into flats. Around Mill Hill Park and Acton Town there are larger late Victorian houses in a conservation area. Further north and towards East Acton the housing is mostly interwar and post-war, with newer blocks around Acton Main Line and North Acton.
Many Acton houses already have a loft conversion or rear extension, and more are being added. We check what is there, including earlier alterations, before designing new steelwork.
Common structural issues in Acton
- Cracking where loft conversions and rear extensions join the original house.
- Movement in terraces on clay, especially near street trees.
- Converted flats with walls or chimney breasts removed between rooms.
- Bay windows that have moved independently of the main walls.
- Cracks around altered openings and garage conversions in interwar houses.
Ground conditions
Southern Acton, towards Chiswick, has river terrace gravels over London Clay, while much of the north of the area has London Clay close to the surface. On clay, trees and dry summers are the most common drivers of seasonal movement; on gravels, leaking drains are a more frequent cause.
We check the British Geological Survey records for every address we inspect, because ground conditions can change from one street to the next.
Services in Acton
- Structural inspections: Specific (SSI) from £420*, General (GSI) from £540* and Comprehensive (CGSI) from £880*.
- Mortgage structural reports when your lender's valuer asks for an engineer.
- Insurance structural reports and subsidence investigations.
- Wall and chimney breast removal calculations for Building Control.
- Extension and loft conversion design.
- Freeholder consent reports for leasehold flats.
* Prices are a guide only and VAT may be added. Contact us for an accurate price.
Arranging an inspection in Acton
Send us the postcode, whether it is a house or a flat, how many bedrooms it has and a few photos of what you have noticed, or your valuer's letter. We will recommend the right service and give you a price in writing before you book. Our engineers travel to Acton from our office on Turnham Green Terrace in Chiswick, with weekday and weekend visits available. See our prices or request a quote.
Local guides
Nearby areas we cover
See all areas we cover across London.
Common questions
Do you have an office in Acton?
No. Our office is at Gable House, 18–24 Turnham Green Terrace, Chiswick, W4 1QP, and our engineers travel to Acton for inspections and site visits.
I am converting the loft of an Acton terrace. What do you provide?
Structural calculations and drawings for the new floor, any steel beams, the dormer and changes to the roof, ready for Building Control and for your builder to price. If you share a party wall, your neighbours may also need notice under the Party Wall etc. Act 1996.
