Suggestions please. Need local builder to give opinion on big crack in the side of my new flat!

[sophysearight]

Hi There,

I'm in the process of buying my first flat, it's on Peckham Rye, I'm very excited. Went round yesterday to have another look at the outside and its got 2 hefty cracks in the 'rear aspect' (back wall). My survey would be going ahead in a couple of weeks time but I'd really like to get a local builder to have a look at it first. So that if it's blindingly obviously subsiding and the whole thing will be rubble within a year, I can avoid paying out ?500 for the survey and head for the hills.(If the crack is thought not to be a massive issue I'll obviously go ahead with the survey and hopefully buy the flat).

The valuation missed it completely and I know nothing about buildings and whether they're going to fall down.

I've put a picture on, if you're a builder or you know a builder that wouldn't mind having a look at the flat with me (just the outside), I'd be really grateful. I have shed-loads more pics if that's any good. I'll be looking for a local builder in due course anyway to put in a new kitchen (if we decide the while place isn't doomed)so all recommnedation welcome!

Thanks!

[Sue]

I know nothing about building, but I'd say from the photo that the cracks were there before and have been either plastered or painted over - presumably to hide them - because the paint around the cracked areas appears to be a slightly different colour from the rest of the wall.

ETA: And judging by the areas of different coloured paint, it looks like you might also have horizontal cracks on both sides which have also been covered up.

[HelBel65]

Disclaimer - I also know nothing about buildings! However I will say that this looks very similar to my building when I moved in. In our case the discolouration around the cracks was damp from an old leak around the window and was easily rectified by renewing that render. But obviously you need someone who knows for sure :)

Good luck!

[sophysearight]

Hi guys,

Thanks for your ideas! Yup its definitely been plastered over at some point which is fine as long at the cracks themselves aren't a big deal. I now have an architect's opinion that it's not subsidence or heave but might be thermal cracking. Do we have any surveyors or builders in the room! Ideally who can come and look at it with me and then give me a quote.

Really glad your house didn't fall down HelBel, I'm taking this as good news!

Sophy

[sophysearight]

Hi guys,

Many thanks for all your suggestions, it turns out it is subsidence and they're actually about to remove the whole back wall of the property, and underpin it (or something). The vendor clearly didn't think this would be of any interest to me so didn't share the info, which is nice! So I wont be buying that one then!

If you want to sell me your flat, let me know!

sophy

[Sue]

Oh dear oh dear.

Surely they are legally bound to disclose that information these days?

Don't they have to fill in a form?

Hope you find something soon Sophy. Look on the bright side, at least you found out before you bought it.

ETA: Not to mention saved five hundred quid on a survey ....

[harrietf]

Hi sophie,

Try Kevin at y & j builders. He recently had a look at a property I'm interested in and was very prompt in getting back to me with quotes and advice for how much the work would cost. He did it completely free of charge and even wrote a written report for me. [email protected]/07581166046

good luck with it

Harriet :-)