Homes we inspect in Northolt
Northolt grew mainly between the wars and after 1945, so most of its homes are interwar and post-war terraces, semis, maisonettes and low-rise flats, with council-built estates alongside private housing. Many houses have since had rear extensions, loft conversions or porch and garage alterations.
Some post-war homes in the area may be of non-traditional construction, such as precast concrete panels or steel frames. Lenders treat some of these types differently, so it helps to know early what a house is built from.
Common structural issues in Northolt
- Seasonal movement on clay, especially near trees and hedges.
- Cracking where extensions join the original house.
- Post-war homes of non-traditional construction that a lender has queried.
- Walls removed for open-plan alterations.
- Garage and porch conversions on shallow foundations.
Ground conditions
Most of Northolt sits on London Clay, which shrinks as it dries and swells when it gets wet. On clay, foundations close to trees are the main risk of seasonal movement, so we record trees and their distance from the house.
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 Northolt
- 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 Northolt
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 Northolt 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 Northolt?
No. Our office is at Gable House, 18–24 Turnham Green Terrace, Chiswick, W4 1QP, and our engineers travel to Northolt for inspections and site visits.
My lender has questioned how my house is built. Can you help?
Yes. If the valuer suspects non-traditional construction, we can inspect the house, identify how it is built where that can be seen, and comment on its condition. Whether the lender accepts the property is its decision, but a clear report gives it what it needs.
