Montrose · Angus and Dundee
Extension pulling away repairs in Montrose
For many Montrose 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
- DD10
- Population
- about 12,000
- Area
- Angus and Dundee
- Pricing region
- Scotland
Is Angus and Dundee prone to ground movement?
We cover Montrose and its postcode districts DD10, part of Angus and Dundee, with a population of roughly 12,000. Nearby places we cover include Arbroath (12 miles), Forfar (17 miles) and Carnoustie (17 miles).
Shrinkable clay is less common in Angus and Dundee than in south-east England. Ground movement here is more often linked to soils, drains and trees than to mining. Across Angus and Dundee, most homes are sandstone tenements in Dundee, fishing-town houses and post-war estates.
Guide prices for extension pulling away repairs in Montrose
For Montrose we use Scotland rates. Treat the table as a budget guide, inc VAT; the price you pay is the one on your written quote.
| 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
Underpinning the extension
If the extension is still dropping because its footings are too shallow or on poor ground, they are taken deeper by mass concrete, beam-and-base or mini-piles. The engineer designs the scheme, and the junction is repaired once the new foundation is in.
Best for: Active movement from shallow footings, roots or soft ground
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
From first photo to finished repair
Show us the junction
Send photos of the crack outside, the internal corner and any flashing above, with a measure for scale. We give a free initial assessment and an initial view on whether the gap is likely old or still opening.
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.
Symptoms that point to extension pulling away repairs
- Patio doors or windows in the extension starting to bind
- A vertical crack or gap where the extension meets the house
- Daylight or draughts showing through the internal corner joint
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 Montrose?
Guide prices for extension pulling away repairs in Montrose 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 Montrose?
Yes. We take enquiries from across Montrose, including DD10, and from nearby places such as Arbroath and Forfar. Send photos for a free initial view and we will tell you what happens next.
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 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.
Who is responsible if a recent extension is moving?
If the extension is recent, the original builder, the designer or building control records may be relevant, and you may have rights against the builder. Gather the plans, completion certificate and contract. Insurance often excludes defects in new construction, so check your policy.
Related work in Montrose
Extension pulling away repairs near Montrose
If the junction at your Montrose property keeps reopening, send dated photos and we will suggest whether monitoring, a drain survey or a repair comes next.