Defective Premises Act 1972 – A Golden Age for Claims?
Are claims against builders and designers under the Defective Premises Act about to increase significantly? There have been some far-reaching changes to the 1972 Defective Premises Act recently, which open up the liability of builders and designers...
Certificates of Structural Adequacy
What is a Certificate of Structural Adequacy? A CoSA is a single page document giving summary information about the cause of the subsidence, what mitigation measures were undertaken to resolve it, and what repairs were carried out. It is certified by a structural...
B&SC Subsidence Consultants – Interview with Bob Gibson (director)
The Consumer Duty – improving standards in insurance claims
Do you feel that your subsidence claim did not result in a “good outcome” for you? We have an opportunity to change things for the better in the insurance industry in the 2026 summer - get your voice heard by the industry - let us have your story. Following the Which?...
Is this the new norm in London?
I feel sure that this is a more common sight this year than it used to be - long rows of street trees with significantly reduced crowns. I think that councils are carrying out more crown reduction work now as a direct consequence to climate change and increased...
RECLAIMING ENGINEERS’ FEES UNDER INSURANCE
Despite what you may have been led to believe, it is possible to reclaim professional fees incurred from your own appointed subsidence expert (be that a structural engineer, building surveyor or other relevant professional) under your buildings insurance. ...
Double-counting subsidence claims – and the effect that has on policy premiums
The scenario of clay-shrinkage subsidence returning a few years after it has been (supposedly adequately) mitigated and repaired is unfortunately all too common. This is usually because inadequate tree management had been carried out in the first place and roots have...
Should I disclose that minor plaster crack to my buildings insurer?
It has long been understood that minor, cosmetic cracks or ones which are historic and non-progressive do not need to be disclosed to an insurer. Not necessarily so any more - beware! Whilst this still holds true with many insurers, there are an increasing number of...
My Insurer has withdrawn subsidence cover – help!
What to do if your insurer withdraws subsidence cover – and how to avoid that
Party Wall Risk & Applicability Assessment – £295 +vat
Risk to neighbours when carrying out building work is central to the Party Wall etc. Act 1996. However, many people don’t realise that it is not always necessary to serve a Party Wall Notice when the Party Wall Act says so (see...