Crack monitoring programme package
A complete monitoring programme from installation to final conclusion.
About this package
The crack monitoring programme package covers a complete monitoring exercise, from the first installation visit to a final conclusion on stability. It includes a baseline report recording each crack's starting position, interim readings at agreed intervals, and a final report stating whether the building is stable and what should happen next. One fixed fee covers the full programme, however the readings turn out.
It suits owners who have been advised to monitor cracks before deciding on repairs, buyers whose lender or surveyor wants evidence that movement has stopped, and landlords who need a documented record. It is also useful after remedial measures, such as drain replacement or tree removal, to show whether the building has settled down before more invasive work like underpinning is considered.
Monitoring only works if readings are consistent: taken from the same points, with the same instruments, and interpreted by someone who knows the history. Splitting visits across different providers risks gaps or mismatched data. Booked as one package, the visit schedule is fixed at the start, and the final report draws on a complete, coherent set of readings from start to finish.
What the package brings together
- Baseline report
- Interim readings
- Final stability report
Stages
- Baseline reportWe install monitors across the key cracks, record their initial positions and photograph each location. The report sets out what is being monitored and why, along with the schedule for return visits.
- Interim readingsWe return at agreed intervals to take readings and report on any movement since the previous visit. On clay soils, visits are timed to capture the seasonal change between wet and dry months.
- Final stability reportThe final report analyses the full set of readings, explains whether movement is seasonal, progressive or has stopped, and recommends the next step, whether that is cosmetic repair, further investigation or structural work.
Who it suits
- Cracks where the cause is known but progression is not
- Evidence for a lender or buyer that movement has stopped
- Checking stability after drain repairs or tree removal
- Deciding whether underpinning is really needed
- Landlords keeping a documented record
How it works
Frequently asked questions
What kind of monitors are used?
Most programmes use tell-tale gauges fixed across cracks, which show movement in two directions and can be read accurately on each visit. Where more precision is needed, we use fixed studs measured with a calliper, or level readings to track vertical movement. The baseline report records the method used, so each reading compares like with like.
Can the monitors be disturbed?
They can, which is why we ask that they are left in place and not painted over or knocked. If one is damaged, let us know, as a disturbed monitor can invalidate readings. We record any disturbance in the next report and, where possible, reinstate the monitor without losing the overall record.
How many readings are needed?
Enough to see a clear pattern, which in most cases means covering at least a full seasonal cycle. The interval and number of visits depend on the crack, the suspected cause and the ground. We agree the schedule at the start, so you know when visits will happen and when the final report is due. If the cause is not yet known, a movement investigation report is the place to start.
What happens if the final report shows ongoing movement?
The report will say so clearly and explain what the pattern suggests about the cause. The next step is usually a targeted investigation, such as a trial pit, drain survey or tree assessment, followed by a repair design. Our guide on underpinning explains when that more invasive repair is genuinely needed and when it is not.