Homes we inspect in Kensington
Kensington has Victorian stucco and brick terraces, garden squares, mews houses converted from stables and large mansion blocks, much of it listed or in conservation areas. A large share of homes are flats in converted houses, held on long leases.
For leasehold flats, structural changes usually need the freeholder's consent through a licence to alter, as well as Building Control approval, and listed building consent where the building is listed.
Common structural issues in Kensington
- Internal alterations in flats that affect the flats above and below.
- Historic movement in older terraces and mews houses.
- Basements and lower ground floors with damp or altered structure.
- Cracking after neighbouring basement or refurbishment work.
- Removed walls and chimney breasts in earlier conversions.
Ground conditions
Much of Kensington is on river terrace gravels over London Clay, with clay closer to the surface on the higher ground to the north. Basement excavations cut through these layers, which is one reason the borough has detailed planning policies on basements.
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 Kensington
- 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 Kensington
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 Kensington 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 Kensington?
No. Our office is at Gable House, 18–24 Turnham Green Terrace, Chiswick, W4 1QP, and our engineers travel to Kensington for inspections and site visits.
My freeholder wants a structural report before granting a licence to alter. What does it include?
It explains what you plan to change, whether the walls involved are load-bearing, how the building will be supported and how the work will affect other flats. The same visit can produce the calculations Building Control needs.
