Bonnyrigg · Edinburgh and the Lothians
Mining subsidence repairs in Bonnyrigg
Sudden cracks across several walls of a Bonnyrigg home, or a hollow appearing in the garden, deserve a prompt look. An independent engineer can assess the cause, and we can price and carry out the repair to their scope.
Guide price from£75per metre of crack inc VAT
- Postcodes
- EH18, EH19, EH24
- Population
- about 18,000
- Area
- Edinburgh and the Lothians
- Pricing region
- Scotland
What is the ground like in Edinburgh and the Lothians?
Postcode districts EH18, EH19, EH24 cover Bonnyrigg, a Edinburgh and the Lothians town of about 18,000 people. Nearby, we also cover Mayfield (3 miles), Musselburgh (5 miles) and Penicuik (6 miles).
Clay shrinkage is less of a concern in Edinburgh and the Lothians, so other causes such as drains, poor footings or older walls are checked first. 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. Housing stock in Edinburgh and the Lothians: Sandstone tenements and Georgian terraces, miners' rows, bungalows and post-war estates.
How we usually approach mining subsidence repairs
Underpinning to sound ground
Where the engineer specifies it, foundations are taken down by mass concrete, beam-and-base or mini-piles to ground that will not move further. On mining sites the design often follows grouting of old workings so the new foundation sits above a stable mass.
Best for: Ongoing movement or damage beyond what crack repairs can hold
Ground stabilisation by resin injection
For localised settlement in the upper soil layers, expanding resin can be injected beneath the footings to firm the ground and sometimes reduce a small tilt. It is not suitable for large voids deep below, which need grouting or other specialist treatment first.
Best for: Shallow settlement once deeper voids are ruled out or treated
What happens during mining subsidence repairs, step by step?
Report and photograph
Photograph every crack with a scale and note the date it appeared. Report suspected coal-mining damage to the Mining Remediation Authority, or the operator of a working mine, and notify your home insurer. Time limits can apply, so report promptly.
Engineer’s assessment
An independent chartered structural engineer inspects the damage and, if needed, recommends drilling or ground investigation to locate voids. We can arrange the engineer. Their report sets out the cause, whether movement has stopped and what repair is needed.
Written price to the scope
We price the repair from the engineer’s or claim schedule and confirm a fixed price in writing once the work is specified. Where a claim body or insurer is handling the repair, their own process for appointing contractors applies.
What to look for before calling about mining subsidence repairs
- Cracks appearing suddenly across several walls at once
- A dip, hollow or hole opening in the garden or drive
- The whole house leaning slightly, with doors swinging open
Mining subsidence repairs prices in Bonnyrigg
The ranges below reflect typical Scotland costs for mining subsidence repairs, including VAT. Scaffold, access and making good can push a job to the top of the range.
| Item | Guide price | Per |
|---|---|---|
| Crack stitching and making good | £75 – £170 | per metre of crack |
| Re-levelling or ground stabilisation by resin injection | £760 – £1,400 | per metre of wall |
| Underpinning where the engineer specifies it | £950 – £3,300 | per metre of wall |
| Repair schedule for a claim (pricing an engineer's scope)est. | Free to request | — |
Rules for mining subsidence 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.
Questions about mining subsidence repairs in Bonnyrigg
How much should I budget for mining subsidence repairs in Bonnyrigg?
Guide prices for mining subsidence repairs in Bonnyrigg start from about £75 per metre of crack, including VAT, on Scotland 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 Bonnyrigg?
Yes. We take enquiries from across Bonnyrigg, including EH18, EH19, EH24, and from nearby places such as Mayfield and Musselburgh. Send photos for a free initial view and we will tell you what happens next.
Why do houses in Edinburgh and the Lothians crack?
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.
What about salt, lead or ironstone mining?
Damage from non-coal mining follows different routes. Cheshire’s brine areas have their own statutory compensation arrangements, while metal, ironstone and limestone workings often have no equivalent scheme, leaving your home insurer as the main route. A solicitor or your insurer can confirm which applies.
Who pays for coal-mining subsidence damage?
Liability for damage from past coal mining usually rests with the Mining Remediation Authority, or with the operator of a working mine. They investigate whether coal mining caused the damage before agreeing any repair. Tell your home insurer as well, because policy cover and the mining claim can overlap.
Related work in Bonnyrigg
Mining subsidence repairs near Bonnyrigg
Send dated photos of the damage to your Bonnyrigg home, and we will give a free initial assessment and point you to the right claims route.