Oh I guess I’m alright thanks Ania, I’m getting used to their incompetence in a way, almost come to expect it. You’re right though, I will put it out me head till January… . . . . . there - gone! 
I went to the gym after that, then took the dogs out, had a nice bowl of soup and finally got the poor turkey in the oven. I’ve only got to clip Nellie round the ear and I’ve caught up with me jobs. 
I reckon tis Nellie burying bones, dog bashing does not become you your Mag, get one of the servants to do it for you.
I make an exception for Nellie. 
You’d be giving her a poink with her stick if you knew her too.
I’m very impressed they came out this morning Mups … even more impressed that they found a positive result regarding that offending tree
Yes, I must say I was surprised when they phoned and said they would be here at 9 am Mags.
Sorry to keep resurrecting this thread, but it is still an ongoing problem for me.
The monitoring people came out on Christmas Eve and did their job, and before he left I was chatting to the young man and asked him what he found.
He told me that measurements under 3mm would not be considered very significant, but 3mm upwards were. He showed me his notes and my front bay window was over 3mm.
Now here the peculiar part. When my typed copy of the report came 2 or 3 weeks later, the bay window measurement was only 2.7mm!
I contacted my insurers and told them this was incorrect. They denied it.
I told them I had seen the young man’s jottings and that he had explained his measurements to me, so I KNOW what he found. I said would they check again or speak to the young man himself.
So far, they are still saying 2.7 is what his report said, but I know it wasn’t. I told them I didn’t dream it!
They are coming out again next week to do the second monitoring.
Any suggestions as to how to handle this please?
I thought of asking the chap to show me his workings again this time, only I will see if he will let me photo copy them this time!
P.S. So far they have removed 2 of my neighbours trees which were only 9ft away, but left one which is only 3ft from my window!!! Where’s the sense in that for Christ sake! This is the wall where the 3mm measurement is.
There is still another huge Walnut tree, plus a Willow that have got to be taken out yet as well, according to the Arborist.
I’m nearly at me wits end with all this. :twisted:
It’s a good idea to get a photocopy of his report sheet Mups but don’t tell him why you want it cos he might refuse when he realises that the first one had been altered to suit the insurance company !!
Definitely get a photo copy of the measurements, it’s your house and you’re paying the insurance premiums. Why shouldn’t you want to monitor the checks, I’d do the same.
The tree nearest your bay needs chopping, don’t see why it hasn’t been axed before now.
Don’t apologise for discussing on here - you’re among friends…
PS. Is there any chance he made a mistake when he worked it out on his visit?
What about video him ,say for your records and look over his shoulder for the measurements…
Doubt it somehow cranberry, because he took the time to explain his workings to me well enough. I feel very suspicious.
I’ve told them I want that tree out that is right next to my window else I shall be putting in another claim in a few months time.
Unfortunately you are involved in a game.
The insurance company will try to spend as little as possible whilst you want everything sorted. The insurance company want to find a middle ground THEY are happy with, don’t give it to them.
You need an independent structural engineer, nothing less will do.
Bite the bullet and pay for this yourself, you then become the client not the insurance company, his loyalties are to you.
Don’t forget, any out of pocket expenses can be recouped.
If you are not happy you should consider the ombudsman, if they think the insurance company are being unreasonable they may just help.
I had considered an independent engineer Tpin, but was a bit dubious about the cost. You say it could be recouped, but how?
Also, I have become so distrustful now that how do I find an engineer who can be trusted and not just in it to line his pocket?
Another worry is, because of this subsidence, no one else will want to insure my property, so if the present company wash their hands of me I could be in worse trouble, with no insurance at all.
This all started over 5 years ago, so I am sure you will understand why I am worn out with it all. They were supposed to have remedied the problem back then, but a few years later it has started allover again - only worse. They tried to make me pay another £1,000 excess this time, but I refused because its the same problem, in the same place, that they were supposed to have mended before. It is not a new case at all. Cheeky beggars.
Don’t worry about not getting reinsured, you can if the work is done correctly. Underpinning, for instance will make your property more structurally sound than when first built.
Who told you you won’t get insured?
Structural engineers are not rip off guys, they are closely monitored professionals with massive insurance cover, they are the good guys, these guys get the job done.
I will do a bit of fishing about tomorrow then Tpin, and let you know what happens. Thank you.
Here’s the institutions website, they’ll have a list for your area.
https://www.istructe.org/about-us
if you want to chat or if you want to discuss anything give JBR a shout, he has my email address, I can’t pm yet, if I can help I’ll be happy to do so.
That’s kind of you, thanks again.
Mups, I’m speechless. Insurance companies it would appear cannot be trusted. I really hope this EVENTUALLY gets an appropriate resolution.
I know Ania. I think I will explore what Tpin suggested and look for an independent engineer.
I wish I understood more about this sort of thing so I could suss them out better. I do feel I’m being taken for a ride.
I agree with Tpin, my niece used to live in a bungalow on a hillside and there was a land slip causing the foundations to move, the whole patio fell away :shock:. It was the summer when we had all that rain.
Sarah had to have the Bungalow underpinned. She was able to get insurance with no problem (this had been her worry) before selling it and moving to a bigger place.
Mups, don’t take it personally, your insurance company are acting exactly the way I’d expect, slowly.
It’s always the same with claims, especially where structural integrity is involved. This is only a small claim to them.
Try to relax, don’t get worked up and read every single correspondence/report over and over again.
