Ferndown · Dorset
Extension pulling away repairs in Ferndown
The ground under Ferndown and Dorset varies street by street, and extensions built on shallower footings feel those differences first. A trial pit and a drain survey usually tell an engineer how the extension’s foundation is coping.
Guide price from£620per junction inc VAT
- Postcodes
- BH22
- Population
- about 18,000
- Area
- Dorset
- Pricing region
- South West
What is the ground like in Dorset?
Ferndown (BH22) has around 18,000 residents and sits in Dorset. Neighbouring towns we cover: 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. Across Dorset, most homes are stone and brick villages, Victorian villas in Bournemouth, and inter-war and post-war semis.
How much will extension pulling away repairs cost in Ferndown?
For Ferndown we use South West 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. | £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 |
Which repair method suits a home in Ferndown?
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
What happens when we carry out extension pulling away repairs in Ferndown?
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.
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.
Signs you may need extension pulling away repairs
- Patio doors or windows in the extension starting to bind
- Extension roof flashing lifting off the original wall
- Floor level dropping where the extension and house floors meet
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.
Extension pulling away repairs in Ferndown: questions and answers
How much should I budget for extension pulling away repairs in Ferndown?
Guide prices for extension pulling away repairs in Ferndown 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 Ferndown?
Yes, Ferndown is covered, along with postcode districts BH22. We also cover nearby Wimborne Minster and Bournemouth.
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.
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.
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 Ferndown
- Structural crack repairs
- Subsidence repairs
- Lintel replacement
- Subsidence insurance claim repairs
- Roof structure repairs
Extension pulling away repairs near Ferndown
For a no-obligation written quote to repair an extension pulling away in Ferndown, call or send a few photos with a tape measure across the gap.