Market Harborough · Leicestershire
Extension pulling away repairs in Market Harborough
For many Market Harborough 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£590per junction inc VAT
- Postcodes
- LE16
- Population
- about 25,000
- Area
- Leicestershire
- Pricing region
- East Midlands
What is the ground like in Leicestershire?
Market Harborough (LE16) has around 25,000 residents and sits in Leicestershire. Neighbouring towns we cover: Corby (10 miles), Kettering (10 miles) and Wigston (10 miles).
Parts of Leicestershire have clay that can shrink near trees in dry spells. Parts of Leicestershire lie on a former coalfield, so a coal mining search is worth checking if movement has no obvious cause. What you mostly find across Leicestershire: Victorian terraces in Leicester and Loughborough, inter-war semis and large post-war estates.
Guide prices for extension pulling away repairs in Market Harborough
Prices in Market Harborough are worked out on East Midlands 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. | £590 – £1,950 | per junction |
| Movement joint and making goodest. | £390 – £1,200 | per junction |
| Underpinning the extension where needed | £980 – £2,450 | 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
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
- Daylight or draughts showing through the internal corner joint
- Mastic or render at the joint repeatedly splitting open
- A vertical crack or gap where the extension meets the house
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 Market Harborough?
Guide prices for extension pulling away repairs in Market Harborough start from about £590 per junction, including VAT, on East Midlands 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 Market Harborough?
We do. Market Harborough and the surrounding area are covered, including nearby Corby and Kettering. A free initial assessment from your photos is the first step.
Why do houses in Leicestershire crack?
Leicestershire has Mercia Mudstone, Lias clay and glacial till across much of the county, with the Coalville and Swadlincote coalfield in the north-west. Clay soils near large trees can move with the seasons. 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.
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 Market Harborough
- Crack stitching
- Mining subsidence repairs
- Subsidence insurance claim repairs
- Roof structure repairs
- Retaining wall repairs
Extension pulling away repairs near Market Harborough
Share the loss adjuster’s schedule for your Market Harborough extension claim, and we will price the junction repair and making good to it in writing.