Ferndown · Dorset
Boundary and garden wall repairs in Ferndown
Whether it is a low front wall clipped by a car or a long garden wall cracking every few metres, boundary wall repairs in Ferndown are priced only once the cause is known. Photos of the whole run usually show us where to start.
Guide price from£310per wall inc VAT
- Postcodes
- BH22
- Population
- about 18,000
- Area
- Dorset
- Pricing region
- South West
What is the ground like in Dorset?
With roughly 18,000 people, Ferndown spans postcode districts BH22 in Dorset. We also take enquiries from nearby Wimborne Minster (4 miles), Bournemouth (6 miles) and Christchurch (7 miles).
Parts of Dorset have clay that can shrink near trees in dry spells. Ground movement here is more often linked to soils, drains and trees than to mining. Housing stock in Dorset: Stone and brick villages, Victorian villas in Bournemouth, and inter-war and post-war semis.
From first photo to finished repair
Photos and ownership
Send photos of the whole wall and close-ups of cracks, the lean and the coping, plus any nearby trees. Tell us whether the wall is yours, shared or your neighbour’s, as that affects who can instruct the work.
Site assessment
On site we check the lean with a level, look at the footing where it can be seen, note the bricks and mortar, and check for trees, soil loading and gate loads. If the wall turns out to be retaining soil, we treat it as a retaining wall.
Repair and rebuild
Sections are taken down, footings dug, and the wall rebuilt or repointed with a damp-proof course and coping. Reclaimed or matched bricks keep the wall consistent, and spoil and old materials are removed at the end.
Symptoms that point to boundary and garden wall repairs
- Coping stones or brick-on-edge tops loose, cracked or missing
- A tree close to the wall, with the base lifted or cracked
- Vertical cracks at regular intervals along a long run of wall
Guide prices for boundary and garden wall repairs in Ferndown
Prices in Ferndown are worked out on South West rates. They include VAT and are a starting point: access, the extent of the damage and whether an engineer or building control is involved all move the figure.
| Item | Guide price | Per |
|---|---|---|
| Repointing and minor repairsest. | £310 – £1,250 | per wall |
| Rebuilding a leaning sectionest. | £155 – £360 | per m² of wall face |
| New brick piersest. | £260 – £620 | per pier |
Methods for boundary and garden wall repairs
Rebuilding a leaning section
The leaning or badly cracked section is taken down, sound bricks cleaned for reuse, and the wall rebuilt on a new footing at a suitable depth. A damp-proof course and a proper coping are added, and the new work is jointed to the sound wall either side.
Best for: Sections that lean, rock or have cracked right through
New piers and movement joints
Brick piers are built at intervals along the wall, bonded in or tied with stainless fixings, to stiffen it against wind and lean. Vertical movement joints are cut where a long run keeps cracking. Gate piers are rebuilt larger and on deeper footings where they carry heavy gates.
Best for: Long walls with regular cracks, or weak gate piers
Rules for boundary and garden wall repairs in England
Like-for-like repairs such as crack stitching and repointing do not usually need building control approval in England, but anything that changes or strengthens the structure, such as underpinning or rebuilding a wall, does. If the work touches a party wall, the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 may apply.
Frequently asked questions
How much should I budget for boundary and garden wall repairs in Ferndown?
Guide prices for boundary and garden wall repairs in Ferndown start from about £310 per wall, including VAT, on South West rates. Your fixed written price follows photos or a survey and depends on the extent of the work and access.
Can you survey a property in Ferndown?
We do. Ferndown and the surrounding area are covered, including nearby Wimborne Minster and Bournemouth. A free initial assessment from your photos is the first step.
Why do houses in Dorset crack?
Dorset mixes chalk downs, Oxford and Kimmeridge Clays in the vales, and the sands and gravels of the Poole basin. Clay vales can shrink and swell, and parts of the coast are known for landslip. Only an investigation can say why a particular building has moved.
Can tree roots damage a garden wall?
Yes, they often do. Roots can lift footings, push walls sideways and, on clay soils, dry the ground so it shrinks under the wall. A wall can sometimes be rebuilt to bridge roots. Take advice before removing a large tree, as it may be protected and removal on clay can cause heave.
Does home insurance cover a fallen garden wall?
Sometimes, but many policies exclude garden walls or cover them only for certain events, such as vehicle impact or storm. Frost, wear and tree root damage are usually excluded. If a vehicle caused the damage, the driver’s insurer may pay. Check your policy and tell your insurer before permanent repairs start.
Related work in Ferndown
- Floor joist repairs
- Chimney stack repairs
- Bay window subsidence repairs
- Roof structure repairs
- Structural surveys and crack monitoring
Boundary and garden wall repairs near Ferndown
The written quote for your Ferndown wall separates repointing, rebuilding and new piers, then becomes a fixed price in writing once the repair is specified.