Leicestershire · England
Subsidence repairs in Leicestershire
Across Leicestershire, requests for subsidence repairs usually begin with a crack someone has noticed getting wider. Parts of Leicestershire have clay that can shrink near trees in dry spells. A repair only lasts if the reason for the movement has stopped.
Guide price from£2,450per property inc VAT
- Area
- Leicestershire
- Pricing region
- East Midlands
- Ground
- Clay in parts
- Towns listed
- 9
Why does the ground in Leicestershire matter for subsidence repairs?
Leicestershire has Mercia Mudstone, Lias clay and glacial till across much of the county, with the Coalville and Swadlincote coalfield in the north-west. Clay soils near large trees can move with the seasons.
Parts of Leicestershire lie on a former coalfield, so a coal mining search is worth checking if movement has no obvious cause. Across Leicestershire, most homes are Victorian terraces in Leicester and Loughborough, inter-war semis and large post-war estates.
What to expect when we carry out subsidence repairs
Send photos or call
Send photos of the cracks with a coin or tape for scale, and say when you first noticed them. We give a free initial assessment and suggest whether an engineer, a drain survey or your insurer comes first.
Find the cause
An independent chartered structural engineer inspects the house and, where needed, arranges a drain survey, trial pits or soil tests. We can arrange the engineer. The aim is to know what is moving, and why, before money goes on repairs.
Repairs and making good
Cracks are stitched and repointed outside, plaster is renewed along the crack lines inside, and sticking doors are eased. Where the work needs it, we deal with building control and hand over the paperwork.
Is it time for subsidence repairs? Common signs
- Doors and windows that start to stick or no longer close
- A gap opening between the skirting board and the floor
- Wallpaper rippling or tearing where the wall meets the ceiling
- Fresh cracks showing on both the inside and outside of one wall
What should you budget for subsidence repairs in Leicestershire?
Prices in Leicestershire are worked out on East Midlands rates. They include VAT and are a starting point: access, the extent of the damage and whether an engineer or building control is involved all move the figure.
| Item | Guide price | Per |
|---|---|---|
| Structural engineer's investigation and report | £490 – £1,950 | per property |
| CCTV drain survey (common first check) | £145 – £345 | per survey |
| Typical repair once the cause is dealt with: crack stitching and making goodest. | £2,450 – £11,800 | per property |
| Foundation strengthening where it is needed (see underpinning) | £980 – £3,450 | per metre of wall |
Repair options we may recommend
Foundation strengthening
Where the ground cannot be made stable, the load is carried down to firmer soil by underpinning, a beam-and-base scheme, mini-piles or resin injection, depending on the soil and access. It is designed by an engineer and is the exception, not the rule.
Best for: Ongoing movement where removing the cause has not worked
Remove the cause, then repair
Most subsidence is dealt with this way. The drain is repaired or the vegetation managed, the house is watched to confirm it has stabilised, and then the cracks are stitched, repointed and made good inside. It is the least disruptive route and usually the cheapest.
Best for: Clay movement or drain leaks where the cause can be removed
Crack stitching and making good
Once movement has stopped, cracked brickwork is cut along the bed joints, stainless helical bars are bonded in to tie the wall together, and the joints are repointed to match. Inside, plaster is renewed along the crack line before redecoration.
Best for: Category 1 to 3 cracking in walls that are otherwise sound
Do you need approval for 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.
Subsidence repairs near you in Leicestershire
Your subsidence repairs questions
Does the ground around Leicester cause cracking?
Leicestershire has Mercia Mudstone, Lias clay and glacial till across much of the county, with the Coalville and Swadlincote coalfield in the north-west. Clay soils near large trees can move with the seasons. Parts of Leicestershire 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 subsidence repairs cost in Leicestershire?
On East Midlands rates, subsidence repairs starts from about £2,450 per property, including VAT. The written price depends on the extent of the damage, access and whether an engineer or building control is needed.
Does subsidence always need underpinning?
No, most subsidence is repaired without underpinning. When a leaking drain is fixed or nearby vegetation is managed, the ground usually stabilises and the house needs only crack repairs. Foundation work is kept for movement that continues after the cause has gone.
Can I sell a house that has had subsidence?
Yes, though buyers and lenders will want paperwork. Keep the engineer’s report, monitoring results, the repair specification and any building control sign-off. A repaired house shown to be stable is far easier to sell than one with an open problem.
Will past subsidence affect my home insurance?
It can, because insurers ask about previous subsidence at renewal or when you switch. Staying with the insurer who handled a claim is often simplest. Answer any new insurer’s questions honestly and keep the repair records, which show the problem was dealt with.