Scotland
Structural repairs in Edinburgh and the Lothians
Structural repairs across Edinburgh and the Lothians: subsidence, cracks, underpinning, wall ties, lintels and claim repairs. Shrinkable clay is less common in Edinburgh and the Lothians than in south-east England.
- Nation
- Scotland
- Pricing region
- Scotland
- Towns listed
- 12
- Mining legacy
- Coalfield in part
What is the ground like in Edinburgh and the Lothians?
Edinburgh is volcanic and sedimentary rock with glacial till, while the Midlothian and East Lothian coalfields and oil-shale workings in West Lothian have left recorded mine workings and bings.
Parts of Edinburgh and the Lothians lie on a former coalfield, so a coal mining search is worth checking if movement has no obvious cause.
What usually causes cracking in Edinburgh and the Lothians?
In Edinburgh and the Lothians, 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
- Past coal mining, in the parts of the area that were mined at shallow depth
- Heavy stone chimneys and gables pulling away from the house
- Solid stone walls bulging where the rubble core has loosened
- Leaking or broken drains washing fine soil out from under footings
What kind of buildings are common here?
Sandstone tenements and Georgian terraces, miners' rows, bungalows and post-war estates.
Which repairs do we carry out in Edinburgh and the Lothians?
- Boundary and garden wall repairs
- Roof structure repairs
- Mining subsidence repairs
- Resin injection ground stabilisation
- Gable end wall repairs
- Structural crack repairs
- Retaining wall repairs
- Chimney stack repairs
- Underpinning
- Crack stitching
- Lintel replacement
- Bowing wall repairs
- Concrete repairs
- Wall tie replacement
- Extension pulling away repairs
- Floor joist repairs
- Subsidence repairs
- Subsidence insurance claim repairs
- Structural surveys and crack monitoring
- Brick arch repairs
- Bay window subsidence repairs
Guide prices in Edinburgh and the Lothians
A selection of guide prices on Scotland rates, including VAT. Each repair page has the full table.
| Item | Guide price | Per |
|---|---|---|
| Crack stitching: crack stitching with stainless helical bars | £75 – £170 | per metre of crack |
| Resin injection ground stabilisation: resin injection ground stabilisation | £760 – £1,400 | per metre of wall treated |
| Wall tie replacement: semi-detached house | £2,400 – £4,750 | per house |
| Lintel replacement: standard window or door opening | £710 – £2,400 | per opening |
Towns we cover in Edinburgh and the Lothians
We list 12 towns in Edinburgh and the Lothians, covering 18 postcode districts in the EH postcode area. The largest are Edinburgh (about 510,000 people), Livingston (about 57,000 people) and Musselburgh (about 24,000 people). Each town page has local postcodes, nearby places and the repairs we carry out there.
- Edinburgh
- Livingston
- Musselburgh
- Bathgate
- Bonnyrigg
- Penicuik
- Broxburn
- Mayfield
- Linlithgow
- Armadale
- Tranent
- Dunbar
Do repairs in Edinburgh and the Lothians need approval?
In Scotland, structural alterations generally need a building warrant from the council’s building standards service; small repairs often do not. There is no Party Wall Act in Scotland.
Questions about structural repairs in Edinburgh and the Lothians
Do you cover the whole of Edinburgh and the Lothians?
Yes. We take enquiries from across Edinburgh and the Lothians, including Edinburgh, Livingston, Musselburgh and Bathgate. A free initial assessment from your photos is the first step.
Is Edinburgh and the Lothians affected by subsidence?
Most of Edinburgh and the Lothians is on firmer ground than the clay belts of the south-east. Parts of Edinburgh and the Lothians lie on a former coalfield, so a coal mining search is worth checking if movement has no obvious cause. Whether a particular building has moved, and why, needs an investigation on site.
How much do structural repairs cost in Edinburgh and the Lothians?
It depends on the repair. On Scotland rates, resin injection from about £760 per metre of wall treated and wall tie replacement on a semi-detached house from about £2,400 per house, including VAT. Your written price follows photos or a survey.
What should I send for a free assessment in Edinburgh and the Lothians?
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 Edinburgh and the Lothians, and when you first noticed it. If an insurer is involved, include the claim reference.