Will foundation issues affect the value of my home?

If you suspect your home has foundation issues, it may seem scarier than it actually is. Sometimes, foundation issues are not progressive. This means any damage that has occurred won't worsen over time. Although this isn't always the case, an experienced home inspector and licensed Professional Engineer can help you determine the seriousness of foundation issues and what to do about them.

Signs of Foundation Defects
If you're not 100% sure your home has foundation issues, some common signs to look for are:

• horizontal or stair step cracks in the foundation walls
• bowed foundation walls
• cracked floor tiles
• uneven or significantly sloping floors
• unusual drywall cracking (45 degree angles)

If you see any of these signs or just want to be absolutely sure, contact us to come take a look.

So . . . Will Foundation Issues Affect the Value of Your Home?
We have found that the majority of foundation issues, when properly repaired and certified by a licensed Professional Engineer, have no affect on the value of a home.  In fact, many buyers find comfort when steel beam have been installed throughout a basement knowing that they will not need to incur this large cost in the future.

Steps to Selling a Home with Foundation Defects on the Open Market

1. Get your foundation certified by a licensed Professional Engineer.
2. Have any needed repairs completed by a licensed contractor and get final sign-off from the Engineer that the repairs were properly made.
3. Provide your buyer with the engineering reports and contractor repair paperwork.

Although foundation issues can seem like a make-or-break issue when selling a home, that's not always the case.  It's all about getting in touch with the right experts to help you figure out the solution and being transparent with buyers about what repairs were made, who made them, and who inspected and certified the work.

Schedule a foundation inspection