Banrach Consulting Engineers · Subsidence Costs · Dublin

How Much Does a Subsidence Survey & Repair Cost in Ireland?

By Banrach Consulting Engineers

A Chartered Structural Engineer's subsidence investigation in Ireland typically costs €600–€1,200 for the initial assessment and report, with a monitoring period (tell-tales, site visits, final report) adding €800–€1,500 depending on duration. Underpinning costs €1,200–€2,500 per metre run for traditional mass concrete; resin injection is typically €3,000–€8,000 for a standard domestic case. All figures are in euro and apply to the Irish market. Note: UK figures (£) from Checkatrade, Which? and similar do not apply to Irish projects.

Subsidence Investigation Costs in Ireland

Initial Site Assessment

The initial site assessment is the first step a Chartered Structural Engineer's visits the property, inspects all cracks and structural features, assesses drainage and adjacent trees, and produces a preliminary report. In Ireland, the typical cost is:

Subsidence Repair Costs in Ireland

Underpinning

Underpinning extends the existing foundation to a stable bearing stratum using mass concrete or mini-piles. It is the most definitive and permanent remediation for significant subsidence. In Ireland, costs depend on depth to stable bearing, extent of affected foundation, and access.

Resin Injection

Resin injection (polyurethane void-filling) is a less disruptive alternative for certain types of subsidence particularly where voids in the sub-base are the primary problem. It is faster and less disruptive than traditional underpinning but is not suitable for all cases.

Drainage Repair

Where a leaking drain is the cause, drain repair is often the primary intervention underpinning may still be required to remediate existing foundation damage. A typical drain repair for subsidence purposes:

What Affects the Cost of Subsidence Investigation and Repair?

• 1
  Cause of Subsidence Tree-root clay shrinkage cases typically require extended monitoring; drainage cases may be faster to resolve once the drain is repaired.
• 2
  Extent of Movement The more of the building's foundation affected, the greater the underpinning length required.
• 3
  Depth to Stable Bearing Deeper bearing strata mean deeper (and more expensive) underpinning.
• 4
  Access Restricted access to the underside of foundations (e.g. conservatories, extensions, hard landscaping) increases cost.
• 5
  Insurance Involvement Where an insurer is managing the claim, the scope of works is agreed between the engineer and loss adjuster.

Does Home Insurance Cover Subsidence Repair in Ireland?

Most standard Irish home insurance policies cover subsidence repair, but there are important conditions. The policy must have been in place before the subsidence occurred, and the claim must be supported by a Chartered Structural Engineer's report confirming the cause and extent. Many policies also carry a subsidence excess (typically €1,000–€2,500).

Where a claim is accepted, the insurer typically funds the investigation, monitoring, and remediation costs directly; the homeowner's out-of-pocket cost is limited to the policy excess. Where a claim is disputed, an independent Chartered Structural Engineer's report from Banrach can support the appeal.

Frequently Asked Questions

• How much does a structural engineer charge to check for subsidence in Ireland?

  A Chartered Structural Engineer's initial site assessment and preliminary report typically costs €600–€1,200 in Ireland. This includes the site visit, inspection, and a written report. Where a monitoring programme is required, additional costs of €800–€1,800 apply depending on duration.
• How much does it cost to underpin a house in Ireland?

  Traditional mass concrete underpinning in Ireland typically costs €1,200–€2,500 per metre run of foundation treated. A typical Dublin semi-detached property may require 4–8 metres of underpinning, giving a total contractor cost of €5,000–€20,000, plus the engineer's supervision fee of €1,000–€2,500.
• Is subsidence repair covered by home insurance?

  Yes, most standard Irish home insurance policies include subsidence cover. The insurer requires a Chartered Structural Engineer's report confirming the cause. The policy excess (typically €1,000–€2,500) is the homeowner's liability; the insurer funds the remainder.