Somerset · England
Mining subsidence repairs in Somerset
Homes in Somerset are mostly Bath stone Georgian terraces. That matters for mining subsidence repairs: footings, wall construction and mortar all vary with the age of the building. Somerset has a mix of ground, with clay in some places and firmer rock in others.
Guide price from£80per metre of crack inc VAT
- Area
- Somerset
- Pricing region
- South West
- Ground
- Clay in parts
- Towns listed
- 11
What is the ground like in Somerset?
Somerset mixes Lias clays, Mercia Mudstone, limestone hills and the peat and alluvium of the Levels around Bridgwater, which can settle. The former Somerset coalfield around Radstock and Midsomer Norton left recorded workings.
Parts of Somerset lie on a former coalfield, so a coal mining search is worth checking if movement has no obvious cause. Across Somerset, most homes are Bath stone Georgian terraces, Victorian houses in Taunton and Weston-super-Mare, and post-war estates.
What happens when we carry out mining subsidence repairs in Somerset?
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.
Check the mining record
A coal mining report or a search of mining records shows whether recorded workings or shafts lie near the property. Records are incomplete, so a clear report does not rule mining out, and a recorded seam nearby does not prove it is the cause.
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
- The whole house leaning slightly, with doors swinging open
- Damage that does not change with the seasons
- Cracks running through the foundations and up both faces of a wall
- Cracks appearing suddenly across several walls at once
How much will mining subsidence repairs cost in Somerset?
Guide prices below are for homes in Somerset, on South West rates and including VAT. A survey or good photos let us turn them into a fixed written price.
| Item | Guide price | Per |
|---|---|---|
| Crack stitching and making good | £80 – £185 | per metre of crack |
| Re-levelling or ground stabilisation by resin injection | £825 – £1,550 | per metre of wall |
| Underpinning where the engineer specifies it | £1,050 – £3,600 | 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 Somerset?
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
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
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
Do you need approval for mining subsidence 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.
Towns in Somerset we cover for mining subsidence repairs
Mining subsidence repairs in Somerset: questions and answers
Is the ground in Somerset prone to subsidence?
Somerset mixes Lias clays, Mercia Mudstone, limestone hills and the peat and alluvium of the Levels around Bridgwater, which can settle. The former Somerset coalfield around Radstock and Midsomer Norton left recorded workings. Parts of Somerset lie on a former coalfield, so a coal mining search is worth checking if movement has no obvious cause. Only an investigation on site can say why a particular building has moved.
How much will mining subsidence repairs cost in Somerset?
On South West rates, mining subsidence repairs starts from about £80 per metre of crack, including VAT. The written price depends on the extent of the damage, access and whether an engineer or building control is needed.
How do I make a mining subsidence claim?
Start by reporting the damage to the Mining Remediation Authority, describing when it appeared and including photographs. They will usually arrange an inspection and investigation. Report promptly, because time limits can apply. Keep copies of everything you send, and notify your home insurer in parallel.
Is my house affected by mining because it is on a coalfield?
Not necessarily. Many homes on coalfields have no mining-related damage at all, and cracks there can still come from clay, trees or drains. A coal mining report shows recorded workings nearby, and an engineer’s inspection is needed to link damage to mining.
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.