Structural Engineers & Surveys in Hampstead

Structural engineer’s inspections and plain-English reports in Hampstead, Belsize Park, West Hampstead, South End Green, Frognal, Swiss Cottage and Gospel Oak. We can usually visit within 3 working days, and reports are typically issued within 48 hours of the site visit.

Looking for a local structural engineer? We also design wall removals and steel beams, loft conversions and extensions in Hampstead.

Book a survey or call 020 3835 2633

Why cracking is common in Hampstead
Hampstead’s Georgian and Victorian houses, Edwardian villas and mansion blocks sit among some of London’s largest mature street and garden trees. Beneath them, the hill is capped with sand over the Claygate Beds and a thick layer of London Clay, which shrinks as it dries and swells as it gets wet. Springs where these layers meet, leaking drains and changes in groundwater all affect how much the clay moves, and so do neighbouring basement excavations. After dry summers, cracking to houses is becoming more common.

It isn’t always the tree
Trees often get the blame, but cracking usually has more than one cause. Before recommending anything, we look at the whole picture: the trees, the drains, the ground and groundwater, the foundations and any building work nearby. Getting the cause right avoids felling a tree that isn’t to blame, or underpinning when repairing a drain would have solved it. We work in NW3 and NW6.

Common reasons clients in Hampstead call us
• Cracks that open in summer and close in winter, near mature trees
• Sticking doors and windows, and sloping floors
• Cracking near leaking or damaged drains
• Movement after a neighbour’s basement or extension
• Pre-purchase checks after a RICS survey flags a concern

How we assess cracking
1. We inspect the property and measure and categorise the cracks.
2. We note the trees nearby: species, height and distance from the house.
3. We check for signs of leaking drains, and recommend a CCTV drain survey where needed.
4. We tell you the likely cause and the next step: no action, monitoring through the seasons, repair, or further investigation.

Guide prices: specific inspection of one defect £950 + VAT, general inspection of the whole property approx. £1,700 + VAT.

Common questions

Is the tree outside my house causing the cracks?
It may be contributing, but not always. Cracks caused by tree roots drying the clay usually open in late summer and close again in winter. Monitoring the cracks through the seasons, alongside checks on the drains and ground, shows whether the tree is really the cause.

Can I cut down or prune the tree?
Not without checking first. Much of Hampstead is in a conservation area, where you must give the council six weeks’ notice before most tree work, and many trees have a Tree Preservation Order, which needs consent. Removing a large tree on clay can also cause the ground to swell, known as heave, so it should only be done on proper advice.

Should I tell my insurer?
If you suspect subsidence, check your home insurance policy, as most require you to report it. Our report gives you an independent view of the cause.

Can a neighbour’s basement affect my house?
It can. Excavation can cause ground movement and change how groundwater flows. If you’re worried, get the house inspected and photographed before work starts, so any new damage can be identified.

12+ years’ experience · £1,000,000 PI insurance · Site visit within 3 working days · 48-hour reports

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Pre-purchase structural surveys →
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