Littlehampton · West Sussex
Extension pulling away repairs in Littlehampton
The ground under Littlehampton and West Sussex 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£670per junction inc VAT
- Postcodes
- BN17
- Population
- about 59,000
- Area
- West Sussex
- Pricing region
- South East
What is the ground like in West Sussex?
Littlehampton (BN17) has around 59,000 residents and sits in West Sussex. If you are just outside Littlehampton, we also cover Bognor Regis (6 miles), Worthing (7 miles) and Lancing (10 miles).
Much of West Sussex sits on clay that shrinks in dry summers and swells in wet winters. Ground movement here is more often linked to soils, drains and trees than to mining. Across West Sussex, most homes are Wealden cottages, 1930s semis and bungalows on the coast, and new-town estates in Crawley.
What should you budget for extension pulling away repairs in Littlehampton?
Guide prices below are for homes in Littlehampton, on South East rates and including VAT. A survey or good photos let us turn them into a fixed written price.
| Item | Guide price | Per |
|---|---|---|
| Junction crack repair with stainless tiesest. | £670 – £2,250 | per junction |
| Movement joint and making goodest. | £450 – £1,350 | per junction |
| Underpinning the extension where needed | £1,100 – £2,800 | per metre of wall |
Repair options we may recommend
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
Junction crack repair with stainless ties
The open joint is cut out, stainless ties or helical bars are fixed across it into both the old and new masonry, and the joint is repointed or rendered to match. Inside, the corner is replastered. This suits extensions that moved once and have since stopped.
Best for: Settled extensions with a stable gap at the junction
What to expect when we carry out extension pulling away repairs
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.
Is it time for extension pulling away repairs? Common signs
- Mastic or render at the joint repeatedly splitting open
- Daylight or draughts showing through the internal corner joint
- 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.
Your extension pulling away repairs questions
How much should I budget for extension pulling away repairs in Littlehampton?
Guide prices for extension pulling away repairs in Littlehampton start from about £670 per junction, including VAT, on South East 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 Littlehampton?
Yes. We take enquiries from across Littlehampton, including BN17, and from nearby places such as Bognor Regis and Worthing. Send photos for a free initial view and we will tell you what happens next.
Why do houses in West Sussex crack?
North West Sussex around Crawley and Horsham sits on Weald Clay, the South Downs are chalk, and the coastal plain has brickearth and gravels. The Weald Clay is prone to shrink-swell movement near trees. Only an investigation can say why a particular building has moved.
Can I just fill the gap with mastic?
Mastic can keep water out short term, but it does not stop movement or reconnect the walls. If the gap reopens after filling, something is still moving. Photograph and measure it over a few months first, so an engineer can see the trend.
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 Littlehampton
- Structural surveys and crack monitoring
- Chimney stack repairs
- Resin injection ground stabilisation
- Brick arch repairs
- Subsidence insurance claim repairs
Extension pulling away repairs near Littlehampton
For a no-obligation written quote to repair an extension pulling away in Littlehampton, call or send a few photos with a tape measure across the gap.