Understanding the building movement investigation
Dealing with a building that has suffered from movement? Allow Richard Herrmann Associates Ltd to investigate the cause and advise the most suitable remedial action. Utilise the knowledge of a team that understands what it takes to overcome these scenarios.
Combining structural expertise with building diagnostics
Building movement is a concern that no property owner or manager can afford to ignore. Over time, buildings can shift or settle due to various factors, from subsidence and soil movement to poor construction practices or environmental influences. These shifts can lead to cracks, misalignments, or even structural instability, which could pose serious risks to safety and integrity. By conducting building movement investigations, Richard Herrmann Associates Ltd can help you quickly identify the root causes of movement and offer practical solutions to mitigate further risks.
Our engineers will begin by conducting a detailed site assessment, which includes visually inspecting the property for telltale signs of movement, such as leaning walls or uneven settling. However, a visual inspection is just the starting point. We also employ advanced diagnostic tools, such as laser monitoring systems, crack monitoring devices, and precise levelling equipment. These tools allow us to track even the smallest movements in a building, helping to forecast potential future risks and inform the best course of action. By employing technology, we can avoid guesswork and deliver solutions based on hard data.
Helping you rectify structural movement
Once the main cause has been identified during our initial checks, we’ll look to offer clear, actionable recommendations for remediation. This could involve strengthening foundations, improving drainage, or addressing external factors such as nearby construction impacts – understanding that the ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach can leave room for error, the solution will depend on the individual structure. From here, we’ll help you make the necessary adjustments, ensuring the integrity of the building is restored with minimal disruption and that future proofing measures have been considered, to prevent reoccurring problems. Building movement is not an issue that resolves itself. It requires expert analysis and a targeted approach for the safety and longevity of the property. By partnering with Richard Herrmann Associates Ltd, you can be confident that your building is in capable hands.
Drawing on our locality to understand foundational issues
It is quite common to assume that the underlying ground is strong enough to support the proposed building or loads, however there is much more to consider than you might think, particularly when the soil is cohesive in nature. Being located in Cambridge, East Anglia, a region that has some of the most variable ground qualities in the UK, we’re well versed in dealing with different soil types. Only after determining what impact the soil type, in conjunction with any current or recently removed vegetation, can the most suitable and appropriate foundation solution be determined. This decision also needs to include consideration of buildability, health and safety, cost, timescales, site access, loads to be supported, and other factors unique to your development. That’s why Richard Herrmann Associates Ltd can prove invaluable.
37
Years Est.
6,500+
Clients
100+
Years' Experience
Happy clients we’re supported
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What does a structural engineer do?A structural engineer designs, analyses, and inspects buildings, structures and construction elements to ensure they are safe, stable, and compliant with regulations. We also assist with the support of heavy equipment or plant, problem solve the technical issues related to installation of equipment or construction, as well as liaise with relevant professionals, team members and clients. Our involvement should decrease the likelihood of issues caused during construction that can occur from a lack of technical oversight. This often means that the client costs and timescales are reduced!
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When do I need a structural engineer?You may need a structural engineer for design associated with new building, alterations and renovations, extensions, load-bearing wall removals, foundation assessments, and structural inspections. Other, more commercial scenarios might be when applying new or increased weight to building roofs, mezzanine or ground floors, removing or replacing existing structure, or installing new mechanical plant.
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How long has your firm been in operation?We have been continuously providing our design services throughout the UK since 1987. We are a long-standing company that has proudly stood behind the work that we have carried out. Clients know that they can come back to us with any questions or for further design requests and we often have clients return to us after many years and with repeat business.
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What is the likely cost of your services?Each project is priced individually based on the scope of the project; one of our senior structural engineers will carry out an initial appraisal to evaluate the likely time that might be required to resolve any issues or prepare a design. Our fee is then based on an hourly rate multiplied by the anticipated time involved. As we rely on this information to advise on costing, the more information you can provide at an early stage, the better. Domestic designs usually start with fee of at least £600 + VAT, raising to a figure of between £1,000 and £3,000 + VAT for more complex design. A visual inspection and subsequent letter report would cost approximately £1,200 + VAT. Commercial projects usually commence with a fee of around £1,500 + VAT but would need to be tailored to the requirements. Please contact us to explain your needs and we will be happy to prepare a quotation.
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What payment method do you accept?We accept bank transfers.
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What is the expected timescale of a project?Each project varies based on the extent of works required, but typically a lead-in period of 1-3 weeks is needed before we can conduct a visit or commence with design. That said, we can prioritise more urgent projects. We can then produce design details and/or reports, usually within the following days or weeks.
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What information do I need to provide?Within our quick enquiry form we’ll ask for your contact information, the sector your project falls into, and a clear and brief explanation of the scope of your works, outlining the service/s you would like us to provide. Any useful drawings to better illustrate your project or problem are beneficial towards helping us understand what needs to be carried out.
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Will a Chartered Engineer be involved in my project and why is that important?Yes, every project is either directly dealt with, or overseen by, one of our Chartered Structural Engineers. This allows us to ensure consistent quality standards for every client. Becoming a Chartered structural engineer is a long process that starts by gaining a degree in civil engineering followed by at least five years of relevant industry experience. Only then are you permitted to sit a 7 hour long exam that is set by the Institution of Structural Engineers, designed to test your ability in design, detailing and client liaison. It is a very rigorous test that has a 25% first time pass rate! Becoming chartered is therefore a significant accomplishment, and one that means that you are recognised by the Institution of Structural Engineers as being suitable for practising as a structural engineer in your own right. You are also entitled to have the designation letters M.I.Struct.E after your name. Beware of companies that do not have chartered structural or civil engineers within their ranks!
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Do you inspect on properties to buy?Typically, a thorough investigation into the structural stability of a property is limited when dealing with a building that you do not yet own. Until you have purchased the property, we are unable to utilise many of the techniques that allow us to identify the potential cause of an issue, such as monitoring cracking movement over a period of time or carrying out intrusive inspections to understand the structure of the property. If the highlighted issue is something that can be commented on based on visual inspection alone then we might be able to assist, but the scope of what can be achieved ‘pre-purchase’ will be limited. This approach is often contrary to what a lender’s surveyor will suggest, since the wording within a valuation survey report will often suggest that a Structural Engineer will be able to not only determine the cause of the movement, but also advise the extent of remedial works and their costs. However, this is not feasible, and we believe in being honest and ethical with our clients.
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Where are you located, and what areas do you serve?Our office is in Cambridgeshire, and we serve clients throughout the UK. We typically travel locally for domestic projects and further afield for commercial projects. We have clients that utilise our services from the south coast to Scotland and everywhere inbetween.
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Can you provide references or case studies of past commercial projects?Yes, we have a large portfolio of past projects and can provide references upon request.
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Can you provide structural calculations for my project?Yes, we supply detailed structural calculations, sketches and drawings for building control approval and construction. We ensure that the level of time and detail spent on a project is appropriate for the scale and intended use. Whether you are planning to carry out work or are already underway, please contact us to see how we can assist.
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Do you work with architects and contractors?Absolutely. We collaborate with local and national architects, contractors, and other professionals to ensure smooth project execution. We also work alongside technical clients, such as manufacturing managers or specialist contractors to assist them with carrying out their project.
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Can you help with planning permission?While we don’t handle planning applications directly, we can offer the services of a ‘planning preparation’ company that we work closely with (www.hbplanning.co.uk). This relationship means that we can provide early structural advice at planning application stage. Should you later require structural design input we would be happy to undertake this to support your subsequent Building Regulations application.
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Do you have experience in my particular project?Having been around since 1987, we’re proud to hold a vast level of knowledge and experiences from all areas of civil and structural engineering. It’s very likely that we have dealt with something similar before and can bring our expertise to your project.
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Do your designs comply with building regulations?Yes, all our designs are carried out to accord with the latest building regulations and industry standards.
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Do you work on both residential and commercial projects?Yes, we provide structural engineering services for residential, commercial, and industrial projects.
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How do you ensure your designs are sustainable?We incorporate sustainable practices and materials into our designs to create environmentally friendly and resilient structures. This includes considering the initial client and building needs, efficiency of design to minimise material use, adopting recycled and/or recyclable materials whereever possible, and designing in an inherent building longevity. By making the initial building design efficient we are minimising material use, but by carefully designing in load carrying capacity and an element of future proofing the building, we can also avoid future carbon expenditure, along with client costs.
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What services do you offer for commercial projects?We provide structural feasibility studies, 3D analysis, BIM modelling, detailed design drawings and calculations. We provide this information for structural building and civil engineering projects. We are also very experienced in inspecting existing building defects and providing remedial guidance.
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Do you have experience with Listed buildings?Yes, we work with Listed buildings, ensuring sympathetic structural solutions are adopted that respect and preserve their historical significance where required.
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Do you provide ongoing support during construction?Yes, we offer site visits, inspections, and advice throughout the construction process if needed. We would provide a quotation for this element if requested.
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What sectors do you support?We support various sectors, including leisure, education, healthcare, data centres, manufacturing, social housing civil engineering, and the public sector. Please use our menu to find relevant pages and to study these in more detail.
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Can you assess cracks in walls or subsidence issues?Yes, we can investigate cracks, subsidence, and other structural issues to determine the cause and recommend solutions. We have extensive experience of doing so.
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Do you offer structural inspections?Yes, we conduct structural inspections for issues with existing buildings, such as cracking or movement. We would usually carry out an initial 'non-intrusive visual inspection' and provide you with a follow-up letter report that outlines our findings, thoughts and any recommendations for further investigations or repair. This report would not usually include the actual remedial design.
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What is subsidence and heaving?Many people have heard the term 'subsidence' related to building movement. You might even have heard the term 'heave' too. These terms refer to the tendency for buildings to lose foundation support or to be lifted by the underlying ground, most commonly as a result of changes in the moisture content of cohesive soils like clay. These changes usually occur as a result of nearby vegetation roots extracting moisture from the soil, resulting in the soil shrinking in volume. If this volume change occurs once the building is supported by the soil, the building will subside. If the soil volume increases whilst the building is supported on the soil, as can be the case if a tree is removed or dies, this can result in the building being lifted by 'heave'.
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What happens with a soil investigation?The nature of the soil investigation can be tailored to suit the scheme, with simple 'trial pits' being carried out at one end of the scale, through to involving specialist site investigation companies at the other end of the scale. We are more than happy to provide a consultant service role to our clients to assist them in determining what approach is most suitable, and also to help them minimise the potentials risks to the project that might otherwise occur and result in significant costs and delays at construction stage.
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Why is soil type important?All clay soils have a potential for volume change however, some have a greater potential than others. This means that the recommended site investigation should include more than simply confirming the soil type, but it should also determine the soil properties to ascertain the degree of'volume change potential. This will directly inform what a suitable foundation depth would be related to any vegetation type, height and distance from the proposal.
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Can you provide structural reports for insurance claims?Yes, we prepare reports for structural damage assessments, insurance claims, and remedial work recommendations.
Safeguard your investment
If you suspect a structural issue, contact Richard Herrmann Associates Ltd via email or phone, or complete our online form below to share your project details.