Exeter · Devon
Structural surveys and crack monitoring in Exeter
A structural survey in Exeter starts with an independent chartered structural engineer inspecting the cracks, the walls, the drains and any trees nearby. We can arrange that inspection, and the report sets out whether monitoring or a repair comes next.
Guide price from£515per property inc VAT
- Postcodes
- EX1, EX2, EX3, EX4
- Population
- about 130,000
- Area
- Devon
- Pricing region
- South West
What is the ground like in Devon?
Exeter, Devon: about 130,000 residents across postcode districts EX1, EX2, EX3, EX4. Nearby places we cover include Exmouth (9 miles), Tiverton (12 miles) and Newton Abbot (14 miles).
Most of Devon 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. Typical buildings in Devon: Cob and stone cottages, Victorian terraces in Exeter, Plymouth and Torbay, and post-war estates.
Is it time for structural surveys and crack monitoring? Common signs
- A crack you are unsure is old or new
- Cracks that seem wider after a hot, dry summer
- A mortgage valuation recommending a structural engineer’s report
What should you budget for structural surveys and crack monitoring in Exeter?
Prices in Exeter 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Structural engineer's inspection and report | £515 – £2,050 | per property |
| Crack monitoring: installation and three seasonal readings | £1,500 – £2,450 | per programme |
| Extra monitoring visit | £435 | per visit |
Repair options we may recommend
Engineer’s structural inspection and report
A chartered structural engineer visits, records the cracks, checks the walls, floors, drains and nearby trees, and writes a report on the likely cause and next steps. It may recommend monitoring, investigations such as trial pits, or a repair specification.
Best for: A first expert opinion on any significant cracking
Tell-tales and crack-width monitoring
Gauges are fixed across key cracks and read at set intervals, or reference studs are measured with callipers to a fraction of a millimetre. The readings show whether each crack is widening, closing or stable, and whether any change follows the seasons.
Best for: Tracking individual cracks over the seasons
What to expect when we carry out structural surveys and crack monitoring
Free initial assessment
Send photos of the cracks with something for scale and tell us when they appeared. We give a free view on whether an engineer’s inspection is worthwhile, and whether your insurer should be told first.
Engineer’s inspection
We can arrange an independent chartered structural engineer to inspect. They record the damage, assess likely causes and recommend whether monitoring, drain surveys or trial pits are needed before any repair decision.
Install monitoring points
Tell-tales, measuring studs or level points are fixed at the locations the engineer chooses. A base reading is taken on the first visit, so every later reading can be compared against it.
Rules for structural surveys and crack monitoring 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.
Your structural surveys and crack monitoring questions
How much will structural surveys and crack monitoring cost in Exeter?
Guide prices for structural surveys and crack monitoring in Exeter start from about £515 per property, 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.
Do you cover Exeter?
Yes, Exeter is covered, along with postcode districts EX1, EX2, EX3, EX4. We also cover nearby Exmouth and Tiverton.
Is the ground in Devon prone to subsidence?
Devon's ground is mostly older mudstones, sandstones and granite, so shrinkable-clay subsidence is less widespread than further east. Older solid-walled and cob buildings, steep sites and retaining walls are the more common structural concerns. Only an investigation can say why a particular building has moved.
What is a tell-tale on a crack?
A tell-tale is a small gauge fixed across a crack, with two overlapping plates marked in millimetres. As the crack opens, closes or shears, the plates move against each other and the reading changes. It gives a simple, repeatable record that anyone can check between visits.
What do BRE crack categories mean?
BRE Digest 251 groups damage by typical crack width. Category 0 is under 0.1 mm, 1 up to 1 mm, 2 up to 5 mm, 3 from 5 to 15 mm or several of about 3 mm, 4 from 15 to 25 mm, and 5 usually over 25 mm. It is a guide to severity, not a diagnosis of cause.
Other structural repairs in Exeter
- Structural crack repairs
- Extension pulling away repairs
- Bay window subsidence repairs
- Concrete repairs
- Crack stitching
Structural surveys and crack monitoring near Exeter
For a no-obligation written quote on crack monitoring in Exeter, send photos and a note of when the cracks appeared and how they have changed.