England · South East
Structural repairs in Kent
Structural repairs across Kent: subsidence, cracks, underpinning, wall ties, lintels and claim repairs. Much of Kent sits on clay that shrinks in dry summers and swells in wet winters.
- Nation
- England
- Pricing region
- South East
- Towns listed
- 22
- Mining legacy
- Coalfield in part
What is the ground like in Kent?
North Kent sits on London Clay, central Kent on Gault and Weald Clays and the Downs on chalk, so shrinkable clay is widespread. East Kent around Deal and Dover had a small deep coalfield, worked until the late 1980s.
Parts of Kent lie on a former coalfield, so a coal mining search is worth checking if movement has no obvious cause.
What usually causes cracking in Kent?
Before pricing a repair in Kent, we look at these likely causes first.
- Shrinkable clay drying out in hot summers, worst within reach of tree roots
- Past coal mining, in the parts of the area that were mined at shallow depth
- Rotten timber lintels and bressummers over bays and openings
- Shallow footings and corroded wall ties in older brick houses
- Garden and boundary walls leaning as tree roots and frost get to them
What kind of buildings are common here?
Victorian terraces in the Medway towns, weatherboarded and Wealden houses, 1930s semis and seaside bungalows.
Which repairs do we carry out in Kent?
- Gable end wall repairs
- Subsidence insurance claim repairs
- Structural crack repairs
- Brick arch repairs
- Underpinning
- Concrete repairs
- Bay window subsidence repairs
- Structural surveys and crack monitoring
- Floor joist repairs
- Subsidence repairs
- Boundary and garden wall repairs
- Retaining wall repairs
- Roof structure repairs
- Extension pulling away repairs
- Chimney stack repairs
- Wall tie replacement
- Mining subsidence repairs
- Bowing wall repairs
- Lintel replacement
- Crack stitching
- Resin injection ground stabilisation
Guide prices in Kent
A selection of guide prices on South East rates, including VAT. Each repair page has the full table.
| Item | Guide price | Per |
|---|---|---|
| Underpinning: mass-concrete underpinning | £1,100 – £1,700 | per metre of wall |
| Lintel replacement: standard window or door opening | £840 – £2,800 | per opening |
| Bowing wall repairs: lateral restraint for a typical gable | £1,100 – £3,350 | per wall |
| Structural surveys and crack monitoring: structural engineer's inspection and report | £560 – £2,250 | per property |
Towns we cover in Kent
We list 22 towns in Kent, covering 41 postcode districts in the BR, CT, DA, ME and TN postcode areas. The largest are Maidstone (about 110,000 people), Gillingham (about 100,000 people) and Tunbridge Wells (about 69,000 people). Each town page has local postcodes, nearby places and the repairs we carry out there.
- Maidstone
- Gillingham
- Tunbridge Wells
- Folkestone
- Margate
- Ashford
- Canterbury
- Sittingbourne
- Gravesend
- Dartford
- Ramsgate
- Dover
- Tonbridge
- Strood
- Whitstable
- Deal
- Sevenoaks
- Herne Bay
- Faversham
- Swanley
- Longfield
- Swanscombe
Do repairs in Kent need approval?
Most crack repairs in England need no approval, but foundation and strengthening work is building work under the Building Regulations. We tell you which applies before a price is agreed.
Questions about structural repairs in Kent
Do you cover the whole of Kent?
Yes. We take enquiries from across Kent, including Maidstone, Gillingham, Tunbridge Wells and Folkestone. A free initial assessment from your photos is the first step.
Is Kent affected by subsidence?
Much of Kent sits on clay that shrinks in dry summers and swells in wet winters. Parts of Kent 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 Kent?
It depends on the repair. On South East rates, mass-concrete underpinning from about £1,100 per metre of wall and lateral restraint for a bowing gable from about £1,100 per wall, including VAT. Your written price follows photos or a survey.
What should I send for a free assessment in Kent?
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 Kent, and when you first noticed it. If an insurer is involved, include the claim reference.