Bideford · Devon
Extension pulling away repairs in Bideford
For many Bideford 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£620per junction inc VAT
- Postcodes
- EX39
- Population
- about 29,000
- Area
- Devon
- Pricing region
- South West
How do local ground conditions affect extension pulling away repairs in Bideford?
Postcode districts EX39 cover Bideford, a Devon town of about 29,000 people. If you are just outside Bideford, we also cover Barnstaple (8 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. Across Devon, most homes are cob and stone cottages, Victorian terraces in Exeter, Plymouth and Torbay, and post-war estates.
Symptoms that point to extension pulling away repairs
- A vertical crack or gap where the extension meets the house
- Patio doors or windows in the extension starting to bind
- Mastic or render at the joint repeatedly splitting open
Guide prices for extension pulling away repairs in Bideford
Prices in Bideford 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Junction crack repair with stainless tiesest. | £620 – £2,050 | per junction |
| Movement joint and making goodest. | £410 – £1,250 | per junction |
| Underpinning the extension where needed | £1,050 – £2,600 | 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
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
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.
Finish and hand over
Internal corners are replastered, skirtings and coving refixed, and doors or windows in the extension eased where the movement affected them. Records of the repair and any approvals are passed to you.
Rules for extension pulling away repairs in England
In England, underpinning and other work that alters or strengthens a wall or foundation is building work under the Building Regulations (Part A, structure), so building control approves and inspects it. Like-for-like repairs often are not, and we tell you which applies before a price is agreed. Work to a party wall, or excavation close to a neighbour’s foundations, can also need a notice under the Party Wall etc. Act 1996.
Frequently asked questions
How much should I budget for extension pulling away repairs in Bideford?
Guide prices for extension pulling away repairs in Bideford start from about £620 per junction, 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 Bideford?
Yes, Bideford is covered, along with postcode districts EX39. We also cover nearby Barnstaple.
Why do houses in Devon crack?
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.
Is it normal for an extension to crack at the join?
A fine crack at the junction is fairly common, especially in the first few years as a new extension settles. It becomes a concern when the gap is widening, tapering, letting in water or matched by sticking doors and sloping floors. Those signs point to continuing movement.
Why is my extension pulling away from my house?
Usually because the extension and the house sit on different foundations that react differently to the ground. Shallow extension footings, leaking drains under the extension, nearby roots and weak tie-ins between old and new walls are the common causes.
Related work in Bideford
- Boundary and garden wall repairs
- Chimney stack repairs
- Structural surveys and crack monitoring
- Lintel replacement
- Crack stitching
Extension pulling away repairs near Bideford
If the junction at your Bideford property keeps reopening, send dated photos and we will suggest whether monitoring, a drain survey or a repair comes next.