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Movement surveys

What happens when a specialist assesses your home

Send the details of what you have noticed. A movement survey is the first step to understanding whether cracking matters, and describing it here costs nothing.

Describe what you see Read about crack grades

Survey methods

What the visit covers

Level readings
The specialist takes precise measurements across floors and walls to establish how much the structure has moved and in which direction.
Crack mapping
Every visible crack is measured, photographed and plotted on a plan so changes over time can be compared accurately.
Trial holes
Small excavations beside the foundations reveal their depth, condition and the type of soil they bear upon.
Soil and root sampling
Samples taken from trial holes are tested for moisture content and examined for tree roots that may be drawing water away.
Written findings
The report sets out what was found, what it means for the home and what steps should follow, if any.
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I have noticed cracks but I do not know what they mean

Movement in a home shows itself through small physical changes. Some settle out after a few months. Others continue to widen or shift with the seasons. The signs below are things you can look for yourself before anyone visits.

  1. 1

    Diagonal cracks near windows

    Lines running at an angle from window corners often point to uneven settlement in the wall below them.

    man climbing on ladder inside room
  2. 2

    Doors catching on frames

    A door that sticks where it used to close freely suggests the frame has shifted slightly out of square.

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  3. 3

    Gaps at skirting boards

    A visible space between the floor and the skirting can mean the floor has dropped relative to the wall.

    Scaffolding set up on an old brick building under restoration, with a flag above.
  4. 4

    Cracks wider at one end

    Tapering cracks usually indicate rotation, where one part of the wall moves differently from another.

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Your part and theirs

You describe what you have seen. The specialist handles the rest, from measuring the movement to writing up the findings. Your involvement stays brief.

What a specialist does

  1. Take level readings across floors and external walls
  2. Measure and map every visible crack inside and out
  3. Dig trial holes to expose the foundation depth and soil
  4. Extract samples for moisture testing and root analysis
  5. Write a report explaining the cause and recommended next steps

What you do

  1. Note where the cracks are and roughly how wide they look
  2. Mention any trees nearby or recent drainage work
  3. Let the specialist into the rooms and garden they need

What happens during a movement survey

This site takes enquiries from homeowners in Kent. Separate specialist firms carry out the surveys and any subsequent work on their own account. You deal directly with the firm that attends your home.

  • Enquiries are received here and passed to a firm operating in your area
  • Each specialist firm trades independently and sets its own fees
  • No repair method is recommended until the survey findings are in
  • Sending an enquiry does not commit you to any work or payment

Questions about movement surveys

A movement survey is the first step when cracks or distortion appear in your home. A specialist visits to measure, map and sample the ground so you know exactly what is happening and what needs to happen next.

How long does the visit take
Most surveys take half a day, though larger homes or complex ground conditions can require longer on site.
Will they need to dig in the garden
Trial holes are usually needed to see the foundations. The specialist will agree locations with you first.
Do I get a copy of the report
Yes. The written findings go to you directly, setting out the cause of movement and any options available.
What if no movement is found
That is a valid outcome. The report will explain why the cracks appeared and confirm no structural action is needed.

Tell us what you have noticed

Send the details and a specialist firm covering your part of Kent will respond. This does not commit you to booking a survey or paying for anything.

  • No obligation to proceed
  • No fee to enquire
  • Firms cover all of Kent

What you send goes to one independent subsidence specialist for your area, and that specialist may pay this site once your enquiry has been passed on. There is nothing for you to pay us, you are welcome to seek quotations from other firms too, and our privacy notice has more on where your information goes.