Sell Your House With Subsidence

How do you fix subsidence to sell your house? 

The first (and most important) step to tackling subsidence is making your insurer aware of the situation. The sooner you provide them with a clear idea of what’s going on, the sooner you can start to address the issue and the more likely you are to receive financial compensation for repair work. When you contact your insurer you must make sure that you are as honest as possible about the history of the property and all relevant information. If you do not disclose anything that is classed as ‘material’ then it could void your policy. This could mean you face bills that range into the tens of thousands and can financially cripple some homeowners. It also means that when you come to sell your house with subsidence (be it historical or ongoing) the process will be more difficult. The speed at which you fix your subsidence issues will also affect how long it takes to sell your house. 

Insurers will generally want to monitor the property before they offer compensation for subsidence. This can be stressful as the monitoring period can last from months up to years. 

Once the insurer has monitored the property they will begin to treat the property. This treatment can take a number of forms and will depend upon what is causing the issue. 

• Pipework treatment: if the inking is caused by burst or leaking waterworks beneath the property then these will need to be repaired and the surrounding soil assessed. 
• Tree root damage: If the damage is being caused by trees that have caused root damage to the foundations of the property, these trees will require removal. The roots will also need removal. 
• Underpinning. This is the most extreme solution to subsidence and means strengthening of the foundations to solve the issue. This can take the form of either piling, mass concrete pouring, resin injection, and beam and base methods. This is the most expensive way to fix the issue and will only be used for very deep foundational issues. On average, underpinning takes between 3 and 6 weeks. 

Fixing subsidence is critical if you want to sell your house on the open market. If you want to sell through a less traditional method, SmoothSale can help. We’ll talk more about how later on in the guide when we discuss how to sell your house with subsidence. 

How much does it cost to fix subsidence to sell your house? 

The cost of fixing subsidence can vary massively depending upon what has caused the issue. Usually the cost of the solution will be covered by your home insurer and should address the issue in its entirety. 

Fixing subsidence can be incredibly costly and can reach up to £50,000. The most expensive solution for subsidence in the UK is via underpinning, and the average subsidence repair cost using underpinning is £12,500.  

When beginning to establish how much an underpinning project will cost several factors come into play. We’ve listed some of the most critical ones below. 

• The severity of the issue. If a problem is just beginning to take hold then it will be  much quicker and easier to resolve. As the problem progresses it becomes much more complex and therefore costly to solve. 
• The number of floors in a home. Homes with more floors require more support and make underpinning projects more expensive. The more floors, the greater the cost of underpinning. This means underpinning projects for bungalows are comparatively cheap.
• Size of the building. Larger houses or buildings cover a greater surface area and so if underpinning is required to solve the subsidence, more materials and more effective solutions will be required. This will of course increase the cost of the project. 
• Number of professionals needed. You may need to hire a number of professionals across numerous trades, ranging from structural engineers to plumbers to plasterers to even tree surgeons to fix your issue. All of these professionals are expensive and will add to your bill. 

Before you sell a house with subsidence you need to make sure that the problem is fixed. All of these fixes will add to the typical cost of selling a house. For more information on the cost of selling a house, read our guide on how much it costs to sell a house in the UK.

You need to make sure you follow the correct procedure for fixing subsidence. This pay require you to get planning permission. You should not attempt to fix subsidence issues yourself since there are strict building regulations and legal requirements relating to underpinning a property. Usually you will need a structural engineer to oversee the project. The average hourly rate of a structural engineer in the UK is £70. 

What is historical subsidence? 

Historic subsidence is subsidence that has been resolved in the past and is unlikely to recur. If a property has a history of subsidence that has since been resolved it may require cosmetic work to the property to improve its look and feel. 

If you are thinking about selling your house with a history of subsidence then you should read our guide on quick and easy ways to spruce up your property before sale and add value. These are our 9 top tips for adding value to your property. 

Can I sell my house with subsidence?

If you have ongoing subsidence then it will prove extremely difficult to sell your house before you resolve the issue. Potential buyers will find it nearly impossible to obtain a mortgage on the property, so corrective action is usually the best bet. There are a number of options to sell your house, so if you are selling your house with subsidence it’s important that you select the right one.

You should provide full disclosure on your property to any prospective buyer. This is done through a TA6 form of the Seller’s Property Information form (SPIF). This form contains detailed questions about the property that is being put up for sale, and will demand details on building work including underpinning and other remedial measures that may have been carried out to help you sell your house with subsidence. 

FAQs

Can I Sell My House With Subsidence Without Fixing It?

Yes, but it’s essential to disclose the issue to potential buyers. Some may be willing to take on the challenge, while others may not.

How Does Subsidence Affect Property Value?

Subsidence can impact property value, but strategic renovations and honest disclosure can help mitigate its effects.

Is Subsidence Covered by Home Insurance?

Typically, home insurance covers sudden and unforeseen events, not gradual issues like subsidence. Check your policy and consider specialised coverage if needed.

Are There Government Assistance Programs for Subsidence?

While government assistance varies, some programs may offer support for homeowners dealing with subsidence. Research local options for potential aid.

Should I Hire a Professional to Assess Subsidence?

Absolutely. A qualified structural engineer can provide a thorough assessment, helping you understand the severity of the issue and potential solutions.

How Long Does it Take to Sell a House With Subsidence?

The timeline varies, but honest communication and transparent disclosure can expedite the process by attracting the right buyers.

If you need to sell your house with historic or ongoing subsidence, SmoothSale can help. We buy any house in any condition and have purchased many houses experiencing subsidence. We’re experienced property professionals, and our helpful team have helped homeowners sell their house fast for cash all over the country. 

We have a number of routes to sell your home quickly and privately. If you’d like to hear more about our various sale options then don’t hesitate to get in touch with our team today on 0800 368 8952 or simply get a cash offer today!