Lewisham · Greater London
Subsidence insurance claim repairs in Lewisham
Across Lewisham and Greater London, the subsidence excess on most buildings policies is commonly about £1,000, though yours may differ. Check your schedule early, because the excess usually applies once per claim regardless of the final repair cost.
- Postcodes
- BR3, SE4, SE6, SE12, SE13
- Population
- about 300,000
- Area
- Greater London
- Pricing region
- London
What should you know about the ground under Lewisham?
Lewisham takes in postcode districts including BR3, SE4, SE6, SE12, SE13, with about 300,000 residents. Neighbouring towns we cover: Southwark (3 miles), Greenwich (4 miles) and Lambeth (4 miles).
Shrinkable clay is widespread in Greater London. Ground movement here is more often linked to soils, drains and trees than to mining. Typical buildings in Greater London: Victorian and Edwardian terraces with shallow footings, inter-war semis in the outer boroughs, and converted flats and mansion blocks.
Subsidence insurance claim repairs prices in Lewisham
Guide prices below are for homes in Lewisham, on London rates and including VAT. A survey or good photos let us turn them into a fixed written price.
| Item | Guide price | Per |
|---|---|---|
| Your policy excess for subsidence (check your schedule) | £1,000 | commonly |
| Pricing a loss adjuster's or engineer's repair scheduleest. | Free to request | — |
| Repairs outside the claim (betterment, decoration upgrades)est. | Priced separately | — |
How we usually approach subsidence insurance claim repairs
Carrying out the agreed repairs
Once the scope is agreed and you instruct us, we carry out the repair, which is often crack stitching, repointing, replastering and redecoration, and sometimes drain or foundation work. We deal with building control where the work needs it and keep the adjuster informed.
Best for: Claims where the repair scope has been settled
Pricing the adjuster’s or engineer’s schedule
When the claim reaches the repair stage, we price the schedule of work line by line, at no charge to request. You or the adjuster can compare it against other prices. The figures follow the agreed scope, so nothing is quietly added or left out.
Best for: Homeowners asked to obtain quotes for an agreed scope
What happens during subsidence insurance claim repairs, step by step?
Loss adjuster and engineer
The insurer usually appoints a loss adjuster, who visits and may bring in an engineer. They record the damage, ask about its history and arrange investigations such as a CCTV drain survey, trial pits and a tree survey.
Schedule of repairs
The adjuster or engineer issues a schedule of the work needed. We can price to your loss adjuster’s or engineer’s schedule, and confirm a fixed price in writing, with any betterment shown as a separate quote.
Repairs and sign-off
With the scope agreed, we carry out the repairs, deal with building control where required and make good. Keep the paperwork, which helps with future insurance and if you sell the house.
What to look for before calling about subsidence insurance claim repairs
- An engineer’s report saying the cracking is subsidence-related
- New cracks you think may be caused by ground movement
- You have been asked to find your own contractor for the repair
Rules for subsidence insurance claim repairs in England
Like-for-like repairs such as crack stitching and repointing do not usually need building control approval in England, but anything that changes or strengthens the structure, such as underpinning or rebuilding a wall, does. If the work touches a party wall, the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 may apply.
Questions about subsidence insurance claim repairs in Lewisham
How much will subsidence insurance claim repairs cost in Lewisham?
There is no charge for us to price an insurer’s schedule in Lewisham. Your fixed written price follows photos or a survey and depends on the extent of the work and access.
Do you cover Lewisham?
We do. Lewisham and the surrounding area are covered, including nearby Southwark and Greenwich. A free initial assessment from your photos is the first step.
Is the ground in Greater London prone to subsidence?
Most of Greater London sits on London Clay, among the most shrinkage-prone ground in the UK, with river gravels along the Thames. Subsidence claims here are among the most frequent in the country, especially after dry summers and near street and garden trees. Only an investigation can say why a particular building has moved.
How long does a subsidence claim take?
Many claims take several months to over a year, mostly because of investigations and monitoring. On clay, insurers often want readings across a summer and winter before agreeing a repair. The repairs themselves are usually much quicker once the scope is settled.
Will the insurer pay for underpinning?
Only if investigations show it is needed, which is less common than many people expect. Most subsidence claims are fixed by dealing with the cause, such as a drain or tree, and then repairing the cracks. The insurer’s engineer recommends the method.
Other structural repairs in Lewisham
- Structural surveys and crack monitoring
- Boundary and garden wall repairs
- Structural crack repairs
- Gable end wall repairs
- Chimney stack repairs
Subsidence insurance claim repairs near Lewisham
Not yet told your insurer about cracks at your Lewisham property? Do that first, then send us photos for a free initial assessment.