This paper presents a framework for the impact assessment of structures on spread footings, taking into account the potential reduction of contact pressure where settlement occurs and the re-distribution of foundation loads due to differential settlement. The models demonstrate that statically determinate structures will likely settle more than the ground, and are capable of accommodating ground settlements with only modest increase in support reaction. The models for stiff statically indeterminate structures suggest that (i) there is greater load re-distribution to neighbouring supports, (ii) there is likely a lag in the first appearance of building settlement in relation to the ground settlement, and (iii) the building settlement as a percentage of ground settlement lags behind but increases with ground settlement. The models here are discussed through two case histories. They function well with observational methods, as both structural stiffness and foundation response are considered, resulting in more realistic settlement predictions.