Whether your home is on the market, or you’re looking to buy, one of the most nerve wracking moments of the process is likely to be the Home Inspection. As the home inspector combs through the property, thoroughly looking for issues that could present a problem for the new owners, the likelihood is that they will find something. But what if they found Structural or Foundation Issues? Is it a deal breaker?
What is it?
Structural Issues and Foundation Issues discovered in the course of a Home Inspection can be the result of improper construction or ongoing issues (Most commonly Water Damage). Depending on the state of the property and the severity of the structural or foundation issue, this could get increasingly worse and could jeopardize the structural integrity of the building. Structural and foundation issues should be taken very seriously and addressed by competent contractors only.
Is a foundation issue a deal breaker?
Possibly, but not always. Depending on the severity of the issue and what is affected, repairs can be extensive. It’s best to seek the advice of a qualified contractor that will be able to explain what will be necessary to rectify the issue and prepare an estimate for this work. Once you have received this estimate, you can better make this decision for yourself.
Many issues can be addressed by a Basement Waterproofing contractor, who is able to repair cracks and resolve moisture intrusion issues. Often, these repairs can be much less involved than they may appear and much more cost effective than major foundation work.
How severe is a foundation issue?
While most structural or foundation issues are quite severe, some are more severe than others. As time goes on, issues such as this do tend to worsen, which can eventually result in an immediate risk of collapse and / or injury to occupants. A qualified contractor should be able to diagnose the issue, make recommendations for a proper resolution, and advise of any immediate risk that they see during their inspection.
What is there to consider?
Structural and foundation issues may require extensive work to address properly and may disrupt areas of the property that may seemingly appear unrelated. In this way, these issues can quickly become costly. For this reason, we always recommend getting a detailed estimate from a qualified contractor so that you can best gauge the likely cost and extent of the necessary repairs.
What about repairs and additional steps?
While the contractor should be including all necessary repairs in their proposal, they may not. It is important to ensure that all Repairs, such as interior drywall repairs that may be necessary, are included in the estimate and that you fully understand the proposal provided by your contractor.
How long do the repairs take?
This work can take a significant amount of time. With time being in such short supply during a closing, it is important for both parties to understand the significance of such repairs and what this work entails. Due to the delays that this could create, it is important for all parties to be on the same page and to be patient as the work is completed.
We hope you found this information helpful! As every home is unique and structural / foundation issues can vary drastically, it is always best to contact a qualified Contractor in order to get recommendations and information specific to your particular issue. Please don’t hesitate to contact your local Disaster Blaster should your home inspector find anything that we can assist you with!
*This information is provided for informational purposes only and may not be representative of your unique situation. We encourage you to have a qualified company inspect and make recommendations specific to your situation. This information is not intended as legal advice.
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