Homes we inspect in Hackney
Hackney is mostly Victorian terraced housing, from De Beauvoir and London Fields to Dalston, Clapton and Stoke Newington, with Georgian houses in places such as Clapton Square. Many houses are converted into flats, and there are large post-war estates and newer developments, especially near the canal and the Lea.
Buyers often ask us to check work done by earlier owners, such as removed walls or a loft conversion, before they exchange.
Common structural issues in Hackney
- Walls and chimney breasts removed during conversions.
- Cracking where rear extensions and side returns meet the original house.
- Roof alterations for loft conversions.
- Movement near street trees.
- Cracks after neighbouring building work, including basements.
Ground conditions
Much of Hackney sits on river terrace gravels over London Clay, with alluvium along the River Lea. The Hackney Brook, now a lost river, once flowed across the borough. On gravels, leaking drains are a common cause of local movement.
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 Hackney
- 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 Hackney
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 Hackney 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 Hackney?
No. Our office is at Gable House, 18–24 Turnham Green Terrace, Chiswick, W4 1QP, and our engineers travel to Hackney for inspections and site visits.
Can you check structural work done before I bought the house?
Yes. We can inspect earlier alterations, such as removed walls or a loft conversion, and assess whether they appear adequate. Where there is no Building Control completion certificate, a report helps when you come to sell or remortgage.
