Dunbar · Edinburgh and the Lothians
Extension pulling away repairs in Dunbar
Rear and side extensions are common across Dunbar, and so is the crack where new meets old. Usually it reflects the two parts sitting on different foundations, and the first question is whether the gap is still opening.
Guide price from£570per junction inc VAT
- Postcodes
- EH42
- Population
- about 10,000
- Area
- Edinburgh and the Lothians
- Pricing region
- Scotland
Is Edinburgh and the Lothians prone to ground movement?
Dunbar, Edinburgh and the Lothians: about 10,000 residents across postcode districts EH42. If you are just outside Dunbar, we also cover Tranent (17 miles), Musselburgh (21 miles) and Mayfield (22 miles).
Shrinkable clay is less common in Edinburgh and the Lothians than in south-east England. Parts of Edinburgh and the Lothians lie on a former coalfield, so a coal mining search is worth checking if movement has no obvious cause. What you mostly find across Edinburgh and the Lothians: sandstone tenements and Georgian terraces, miners' rows, bungalows and post-war estates.
What happens when we carry out extension pulling away repairs in Dunbar?
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.
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.
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.
Signs you may need extension pulling away repairs
- Floor level dropping where the extension and house floors meet
- Patio doors or windows in the extension starting to bind
- A vertical crack or gap where the extension meets the house
How much will extension pulling away repairs cost in Dunbar?
The ranges below reflect typical Scotland costs for extension pulling away repairs, including VAT. Scaffold, access and making good can push a job to the top of the range.
| 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 |
Which repair method suits a home in Dunbar?
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
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.
Extension pulling away repairs in Dunbar: questions and answers
How much will extension pulling away repairs cost in Dunbar?
Guide prices for extension pulling away repairs in Dunbar 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.
Do you cover Dunbar?
We do. Dunbar and the surrounding area are covered, including nearby Tranent and Musselburgh. A free initial assessment from your photos is the first step.
Is the ground in Edinburgh and the Lothians prone to subsidence?
Edinburgh is volcanic and sedimentary rock with glacial till, while the Midlothian and East Lothian coalfields and oil-shale workings in West Lothian have left recorded mine workings and bings. 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.
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.
Other structural repairs in Dunbar
- Roof structure repairs
- Subsidence repairs
- Retaining wall repairs
- Mining subsidence repairs
- Structural crack repairs
Extension pulling away repairs near Dunbar
Send photos of the extension junction at your Dunbar home, inside and out, and we will give a free initial assessment and a guide price.