BEGINNER’S GUIDE TO RENOVATION Part 9: Structural movement and what to do about it
Buying a property to renovate can be a risky business. Decrepit décor, prehistoric plumbing systems, and bathroom suites in perplexing colours are all par for the course. But where a building shows signs of cracking or distortion, most prospective buyers will have second thoughts. Better to walk away than risk getting lumbered with a five-figure repair bill?
It has to be said, however, that just because a property looks a bit wonky doesn’t automatically make it unsuitable for renovation. Most movement in old buildings is assessed in surveys as ‘historic’ rather than ‘progressive’, so you could be missing out on a property priced to reflect perceived levels of risk. The question is, how can you tell whether a crack is a worrying warning sign or an enticing invitation?
Cracking: Dead or ‘live’?
As a general rule, the older a property is, the greater the likelihood that it will have contorted into an interesting shape. This sort of movement often turns out to be ‘long-standing’, requiring nothing more than localised cosmetic attention with filler. The trouble
