Homes we inspect in Barnes
Castelnau is lined with large early Victorian semi-detached villas, and the streets around the Pond, the High Street and the riverside have Georgian and Victorian houses. Elsewhere there are Victorian and Edwardian terraces, often extended, and mansion flats. Much of Barnes is in conservation areas.
Many Barnes properties are close to the river or to large trees on and around Barnes Common, so we look at drainage and trees as well as the building itself.
Common structural issues in Barnes
- Historic movement in older riverside houses.
- Movement near large trees in gardens and on the Common.
- Cracking at the junction of rear extensions and the original house.
- Alterations in mansion flats that need the freeholder's consent.
- Leaking drains under older properties.
Ground conditions
Barnes is low-lying, with alluvium near the river and river terrace gravels over London Clay elsewhere. Parts of Barnes are in a flood zone and protected by flood defences, which matters for drainage and for any work below ground.
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 Barnes
- 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 Barnes
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 Barnes from our office on Turnham Green Terrace in Chiswick, with weekday and weekend visits available. See our prices or request a quote.
Nearby areas we cover
See all areas we cover across London.
Common questions
Do you have an office in Barnes?
No. Our office is at Gable House, 18–24 Turnham Green Terrace, Chiswick, W4 1QP, and our engineers travel to Barnes for inspections and site visits.
Can you design a rear extension for a house in a conservation area?
Yes. We provide the structural design once the scheme is drawn up, and can work with your architect so the structure suits what the planning authority is likely to accept.
