Dundee · Angus and Dundee
Extension pulling away repairs in Dundee
For many Dundee homes, the extension was added decades after the house was built, on concrete that never matched the original footings. Where that difference causes movement, a designed movement joint or a deeper foundation is the usual fix.
Guide price from£570per junction inc VAT
- Postcodes
- DD1, DD2, DD3, DD4, DD5
- Population
- about 150,000
- Area
- Angus and Dundee
- Pricing region
- Scotland
What is the ground like in Angus and Dundee?
We cover Dundee and its postcode districts DD1, DD2, DD3, DD4, DD5, part of Angus and Dundee, with a population of roughly 150,000. Nearby places we cover include Carnoustie (11 miles), Forfar (12 miles) and Arbroath (16 miles).
Most of Angus and Dundee is on firmer ground than the clay belts of the south-east. Ground movement here is more often linked to soils, drains and trees than to mining. What you mostly find across Angus and Dundee: sandstone tenements in Dundee, fishing-town houses and post-war estates.
Guide prices for extension pulling away repairs in Dundee
Guide prices below are for homes in Dundee, on Scotland rates and including VAT. A survey or good photos let us turn them into a fixed written price.
| Item | Guide price | Per |
|---|---|---|
| Junction crack repair with stainless tiesest. | £570 – £1,900 | per junction |
| Movement joint and making goodest. | £380 – £1,150 | per junction |
| Underpinning the extension where needed | £950 – £2,400 | per metre of wall |
Methods for extension pulling away repairs
Movement joint and making good
Where some seasonal movement is expected to continue, the junction is formed into a proper flexible movement joint with a compressible filler and sealant, so the two parts can move without cracking. Flashings and internal finishes are detailed to suit.
Best for: Minor ongoing movement that does not threaten the structure
Junction crack repair with stainless ties
The open joint is cut out, stainless ties or helical bars are fixed across it into both the old and new masonry, and the joint is repointed or rendered to match. Inside, the corner is replastered. This suits extensions that moved once and have since stopped.
Best for: Settled extensions with a stable gap at the junction
From first photo to finished repair
Find what is moving
An independent chartered structural engineer can inspect, and we can arrange one. A drain survey under the extension, a trial pit at its footing and tell-tale monitoring across the joint are common checks before choosing the repair.
Choose the fix
The engineer decides between ties, a movement joint or underpinning. We confirm a fixed price in writing once the repair is specified, covering the junction, flashings, internal finishes and any foundation work.
Repair the junction
Drains are repaired first if they are leaking. The joint is then tied, formed as a movement joint or rebuilt after underpinning, with roof flashings reset so the junction stays watertight. Building control is handled where needed.
Symptoms that point to extension pulling away repairs
- Mastic or render at the joint repeatedly splitting open
- Daylight or draughts showing through the internal corner joint
- A vertical crack or gap where the extension meets the house
Rules for extension pulling away repairs in Scotland
In Scotland, underpinning and other structural alterations generally need a building warrant from the council’s building standards service before work starts, and a completion certificate at the end; small like-for-like repairs often do not. There is no Party Wall Act in Scotland; shared walls are covered by title deeds and, for flats, the Tenements (Scotland) Act 2004.
Frequently asked questions
How much should I budget for extension pulling away repairs in Dundee?
Guide prices for extension pulling away repairs in Dundee start from about £570 per junction, including VAT, on Scotland 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 Dundee?
We do. Dundee and the surrounding area are covered, including nearby Carnoustie and Forfar. A free initial assessment from your photos is the first step.
Why do houses in Angus and Dundee crack?
Angus and Dundee sit on Old Red Sandstone and igneous rock with glacial and raised-beach deposits. Hillside sites in Dundee mean retaining walls are common. Only an investigation can say why a particular building has moved.
Can I just fill the gap with mastic?
Mastic can keep water out short term, but it does not stop movement or reconnect the walls. If the gap reopens after filling, something is still moving. Photograph and measure it over a few months first, so an engineer can see the trend.
Can a drain under my extension cause it to move?
Yes, a cracked or displaced drain beneath or beside an extension can soften clay or wash away fine soil. A CCTV drain survey usually finds it. Repairing the drain is often the first and most important step before any repair to the walls.
Related work in Dundee
- Subsidence insurance claim repairs
- Structural surveys and crack monitoring
- Roof structure repairs
- Chimney stack repairs
- Crack stitching
Extension pulling away repairs near Dundee
If the junction at your Dundee property keeps reopening, send dated photos and we will suggest whether monitoring, a drain survey or a repair comes next.