erol_h Posted March 4, 2012 Share Posted March 4, 2012 My house has had underpinning work carried out about 18 years ago ive only owned the house for 2years. I was insured with a company which has now turned around and said we wount insure you, all of the comparison sites wount quote me as soon as i mentioned underpinning. Ive spoke to a few specialists ive found online and every one wants a structural engineers report before giving me a quote. Is there a other way around this or do i have to accept it and fork out for this. Ive also asked my neighbour as my house is semi detached who he is currently using and they quoted me just over £700 for buildings and contents which is taking the p1ss. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SupraP-Z Posted March 4, 2012 Share Posted March 4, 2012 Was the original underpinning carried out through an insurance company or independantly? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlexM Posted March 4, 2012 Share Posted March 4, 2012 Having the same problem here, as soon as underpinning is mentioned the insurance companies don't want to know. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
erol_h Posted March 4, 2012 Author Share Posted March 4, 2012 Was the original underpinning carried out through an insurance company or independantly? insurance company carried the work out my nieghbour has owned his house before the underpinning took place and since beeing underpinned has never suffered a problem. Ive never sufferd a problem since living here i dont really fancy getting a structural engineers report as i know its gona cost a good few hundred quid. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graham1984 Posted March 4, 2012 Share Posted March 4, 2012 Surely if you had to have underpinning then the local council should have the details of what went on to coincide with their own regs, Would a phone call to them not be worth it first to see if you can get a copy of the work done??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
erol_h Posted March 4, 2012 Author Share Posted March 4, 2012 Surely if you had to have underpinning then the local council should have the details of what went on to coincide with their own regs, Would a phone call to them not be worth it first to see if you can get a copy of the work done??? When i purchased the house i was given documents regarding the work carried out but they where written by hand and can not understand a single thing they have written. I didn't even realise the council would have info regarding the work carried out will give them a call in the morning. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graham1984 Posted March 4, 2012 Share Posted March 4, 2012 When i purchased the house i was given documents regarding the work carried out but they where written by hand and can not understand a single thing they have written. I didn't even realise the council would have info regarding the work carried out will give them a call in the morning. It is not a given but surely to have important structural work like that they would have to have some sort of record for what happened. Seeing as you normally have them poking around to look at footing depths and to check you are following building regs ect then they would want to know the in's and out's of underpinning work and I would of thought whoever had to do the work all them years ago would of had to go through the council and then a structural engineer before even getting it fixed in the first place. I may be wrong but after working as a builders labourer for 7years and now working as a roofer you get used to seeing the rubbish councils and architects want. There must be someone on here that can give you definite answer but I would be amazed if there is no record of the work for your house. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shane Posted March 4, 2012 Share Posted March 4, 2012 Surely if you had to have underpinning then the local council should have the details of what went on to coincide with their own regs, Would a phone call to them not be worth it first to see if you can get a copy of the work done??? I have been in similar position myself recently and had to get the structural Engineer's report. Not sure why the Council will be able to help to be honest, why would they have been involved unless it was a Council house? If the original underpinning work was done properly it would been done under the guidance of a structural Engineer and you would be best to try and do some research to see if you can find out who that was. It will be very involved to appoint another and expect them to provide reports on the integrity of the original job and would without doubt involve some digging out for another Engineer to put their head on the line with a report to say some else's job was a good one. Have a word with your mortgage lender to see if there is anything attached to the title deed paperwork, but to be honest since the land registry changes a few years ago, the documentation held is pretty minimal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graham1984 Posted March 4, 2012 Share Posted March 4, 2012 Like Shane said there may not be any records I was just guessing you may live in a council built house ect where the work carried out may of needed their approval such as it might effect any access of a public footpath ect. Either way a quick phone call to them can't do any harm and you never know your luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graham1984 Posted March 4, 2012 Share Posted March 4, 2012 This thread might be handy for you fella http://www.mkivsupra.net/vbb/showthread.php?252888-Home-insurance-Under-pinning-query&highlight=pinning Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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