Edinburgh · Edinburgh and the Lothians
Mining subsidence repairs in Edinburgh
Parts of Edinburgh and the Lothians have a history of coal, salt, metal or stone extraction, and some do not. For a property in Edinburgh, the first step is checking the records and the damage pattern before assuming any particular cause or claims route.
Guide price from£75per metre of crack inc VAT
- Postcodes
- EH1, EH2, EH3
- Population
- about 510,000
- Area
- Edinburgh and the Lothians
- Pricing region
- Scotland
What should you know about the ground under Edinburgh?
We cover Edinburgh and its postcode districts EH1, EH2, EH3, part of Edinburgh and the Lothians, with a population of roughly 510,000. Neighbouring towns we cover: Musselburgh (6 miles), Bonnyrigg (6 miles) and Mayfield (8 miles).
Most of Edinburgh and the Lothians is on firmer ground than the clay belts of the south-east. 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.
How much will mining subsidence repairs cost in Edinburgh?
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 | — |
Which repair method suits a home in Edinburgh?
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
Crack stitching and making good
Where the ground has stopped moving and the damage is cracking, the walls are stitched with stainless helical bars, repointed and replastered. This covers a large share of mining damage, especially legacy movement that settled years ago and left cracks behind.
Best for: Cracking after movement that has now stopped
What happens when we carry out mining subsidence repairs in Edinburgh?
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.
Repairs and records
Work proceeds once any ground treatment is complete and the engineer is satisfied. We stitch, stabilise or underpin as specified, make good inside and out, deal with building control where needed, and hand over records for your file.
Signs you may need mining subsidence repairs
- Steps or ridges forming in paths, kerbs or garden walls
- Cracks appearing suddenly across several walls at once
- A dip, hollow or hole opening in the garden or drive
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.
Mining subsidence repairs in Edinburgh: questions and answers
How much should I budget for mining subsidence repairs in Edinburgh?
Guide prices for mining subsidence repairs in Edinburgh 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 Edinburgh?
Yes, Edinburgh is covered, along with postcode districts EH1, EH2, EH3. We also cover nearby Musselburgh and Bonnyrigg.
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 should I do if a hole opens in my garden?
Keep everyone away from it and do not try to fill it yourself. Report it straight away to the Mining Remediation Authority if coal mining may be involved, or to your council and insurer otherwise. Old shafts can be deeper and wider than the visible hole suggests.
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.
Related work in Edinburgh
- Gable end wall repairs
- Extension pulling away repairs
- Bay window subsidence repairs
- Bowing wall repairs
- Floor joist repairs
Mining subsidence repairs near Edinburgh
Send dated photos of the damage to your Edinburgh home, and we will give a free initial assessment and point you to the right claims route.