Homes we inspect in Highgate
Highgate Village has Georgian and earlier houses around Pond Square and The Grove, many of them listed, and the slopes below have large Victorian and Edwardian houses and villas, mansion flats and later homes. Much of Highgate is in a conservation area.
Basements and large extensions here need careful planning, and both Camden and Haringey expect detailed information on ground and groundwater conditions for basement proposals.
Common structural issues in Highgate
- Movement on steep slopes and around retaining walls.
- Seasonal movement on clay near large trees.
- Springs and groundwater near foundations.
- Historic movement in Georgian and Victorian houses.
- Cracking after neighbouring basement work.
Ground conditions
Highgate's hilltop is capped by sandy deposits, mainly the Claygate beds with Bagshot sands in places, over London Clay on the slopes below. Springs emerge where the sands meet the clay, and the change from sand to clay can happen within a single garden.
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 Highgate
- 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 Highgate
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 Highgate 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 Highgate?
No. Our office is at Gable House, 18–24 Turnham Green Terrace, Chiswick, W4 1QP, and our engineers travel to Highgate for inspections and site visits.
We are planning a basement. When should we involve an engineer?
Early. The councils expect detailed information about ground conditions, groundwater and the effect on neighbouring buildings. We can inspect the existing house and record its condition before you start, and advise on the investigations that are likely to be needed.
