At some point in time we will need a structural engineer to help us, whether they are here to assess the property for underpinning, the crack for a root cause or to clear the matter of the building regs up for once and for all, but instructing a structural engineer isn’t as simple as asking them to come and have a look.
There is a cost associated with the work that a structural engineer would carry out. They would have a builder dig trenches then they would come along and do an engineering thing (something to do with making holes) to see what they can find. The cost relates directly to the area in which they have to carry out this work.
A structural engineer would want to understand the desired outcome. If the outcome is to get insurance, they would need to know what the insurer needs from them and the insurance company would have to provide a statement.
I did ask Broker Direct PLC insurance what they would accept from a structural engineer and they did not answer. The closest I got to an answer is, “It depends what the underwriters say”.
With regards to the crack, a structural engineer would assess what work needs to be carried out to resolve the root cause. The root cause still might not be subsidence!
For the purpose of handling the Building Regs record on the council’s database, they could provide a report that states the condition of the property.
The bottom line is, we need to know what we are asking them to come and do, then they will come and do it all.