Movement investigation package
A full investigation into cracking or movement, from inspection to diagnosis and repair advice.
About this package
The movement investigation package takes a cracking or moving building from first inspection to a clear diagnosis and repair advice. It combines a structural movement investigation, crack monitoring where the cause or progression needs confirming, and practical repair recommendations. One fixed fee covers the whole process, so you are not deciding at each stage whether to pay for the next step.
It suits homeowners with cracks that are new, widening or reopening after redecoration, buyers who need a definite answer before committing, and landlords dealing with sticking doors, sloping floors or bulging walls. It is particularly useful where the cause is not obvious, for example where trees, drains and old alterations could all be contributing and a single visit cannot separate them.
Investigations often stall between stages. A report recommends monitoring, monitoring raises questions, and repair advice comes from someone new who starts again. Keeping all three with one engineer means the diagnosis, the evidence and the repair advice stay connected. Each report in the package is signed off by a chartered engineer who is a Member of the Institution of Civil Engineers (MICE), so the conclusions carry weight with buyers and lenders.
What the package brings together
- Movement investigation report
- Crack monitoring if needed
- Repair recommendations
Stages
- Movement investigation reportWe inspect the cracking, map its pattern, look at the building's history and alterations, and review ground and tree information. The report sets out the most likely cause and whether further evidence is needed before repair.
- Crack monitoring if neededWhere the cause or progression is unclear, we install monitors on key cracks and return at agreed intervals to take readings. This shows whether movement is seasonal, progressive or has stopped altogether.
- Repair recommendationsOnce the cause is understood, we recommend the repair. That may be as simple as stitching cracks and redecorating, or may involve drain repairs, tree management or, in more serious cases, underpinning.
Who it suits
- Cracks that keep reopening after filling
- Diagonal cracks around windows and doors
- Sticking doors and sloping floors
- Suspected subsidence near trees or drains
- Buyers needing a definite answer on movement
How it works
Frequently asked questions
What if monitoring is not needed?
Then the investigation moves straight to repair recommendations. Monitoring is used only where it adds something, for example where we need to confirm whether movement is continuing before recommending underpinning. If the cause and stability are clear from the investigation, we say so and give the repair advice without waiting months for readings.
Does the package include designing the repair?
It includes recommendations on what repair is needed and why. Where the repair needs calculations and drawings, such as underpinning or a new lintel, the detailed design is a separate step. Our underpinning design and sequence service covers that if foundations need strengthening, though most movement cases are resolved without underpinning.
Should I contact my insurer first?
If you suspect subsidence, tell your insurer early, as most policies require prompt notification. The insurer will normally appoint its own adjuster. An independent investigation can still be valuable, giving you your own understanding of the cause and a basis for discussion. Our guide on subsidence signs explains the steps.
How long does the whole process take?
The investigation report is typically issued within 10 working days of the inspection. If monitoring is needed, it usually runs for several months, ideally across a dry summer and a wet winter on clay soils, so the full process can take most of a year. Where monitoring is not needed, you have repair advice within weeks.