England · South West
Structural repairs in Cornwall
Structural repairs across Cornwall: subsidence, cracks, underpinning, wall ties, lintels and claim repairs. Clay shrinkage is less of a concern in Cornwall, so other causes such as drains, poor footings or older walls are checked first.
- Nation
- England
- Pricing region
- South West
- Towns listed
- 9
- Mining legacy
- Metal mining
What is the ground like in Cornwall?
Cornwall is mostly granite and slate with little shrinkable clay, so clay subsidence is less common than in the south-east. Historic tin and copper mining has left shafts and workings in places such as Camborne and Redruth, and mining searches are routine there.
Old metal-mine shafts and workings are recorded in places, so mining searches are routine for some properties.
What usually causes cracking in Cornwall?
In Cornwall, cracking usually comes back to one of these. We rule each in or out before recommending a repair.
- Soft spots, made ground or fill under footings rather than clay shrinkage
- Historic lead, tin or copper workings in places
- Solid stone walls bulging where the rubble core has loosened
- Weathered lime mortar letting stone walls spread
- Garden and boundary walls leaning as tree roots and frost get to them
What kind of buildings are common here?
Granite and slate-stone cottages, cob buildings, Victorian terraces and post-war estates.
Which repairs do we carry out in Cornwall?
- Retaining wall repairs
- Wall tie replacement
- Chimney stack repairs
- Structural crack repairs
- Lintel replacement
- Structural surveys and crack monitoring
- Extension pulling away repairs
- Bay window subsidence repairs
- Boundary and garden wall repairs
- Resin injection ground stabilisation
- Crack stitching
- Brick arch repairs
- Bowing wall repairs
- Floor joist repairs
- Roof structure repairs
- Underpinning
- Gable end wall repairs
- Subsidence repairs
- Subsidence insurance claim repairs
- Concrete repairs
Guide prices in Cornwall
A selection of guide prices on South West rates, including VAT. Each repair page has the full table.
| Item | Guide price | Per |
|---|---|---|
| Wall tie replacement: semi-detached house | £2,600 – £5,150 | per house |
| Lintel replacement: standard window or door opening | £770 – £2,600 | per opening |
| Bowing wall repairs: lateral restraint for a typical gable | £1,050 – £3,100 | per wall |
| Structural surveys and crack monitoring: structural engineer's inspection and report | £515 – £2,050 | per property |
Towns we cover in Cornwall
We list 9 towns in Cornwall, covering 10 postcode districts in the PL and TR postcode areas. The largest are Redruth (about 43,000 people), Falmouth (about 32,000 people) and St Austell (about 24,000 people). Each town page has local postcodes, nearby places and the repairs we carry out there.
Do repairs in Cornwall need approval?
Stitching and like-for-like repairs rarely need approval in England. Underpinning and other strengthening work goes through building control, and work near a neighbour’s foundations can need a party wall notice.
Questions about structural repairs in Cornwall
Do you cover the whole of Cornwall?
Yes. We take enquiries from across Cornwall, including Redruth, Falmouth, St Austell and Truro. A free initial assessment from your photos is the first step.
Is Cornwall affected by subsidence?
Most of Cornwall is on firmer ground than the clay belts of the south-east. Old metal-mine shafts and workings are recorded in places, so mining searches are routine for some properties. Whether a particular building has moved, and why, needs an investigation on site.
How much do structural repairs cost in Cornwall?
It depends on the repair. On South West rates, wall tie replacement on a semi-detached house from about £2,600 per house and lateral restraint for a bowing gable from about £1,050 per wall, including VAT. Your written price follows photos or a survey.
What should I send for a free assessment in Cornwall?
Photos of each crack inside and out with a coin or tape for scale, a wider shot showing where it is on the building, your postcode in Cornwall, and when you first noticed it. If an insurer is involved, include the claim reference.