Foundation Inspection In California

When Should You Have Your Foundation Inspected?

There are many instances that would warrant a professional foundation inspection, such as:

You are Selling a House

You are Buying a House
As a buyer, you’d want to invest in a property with solid structure. Bringing in a structural engineer to inspect the property before finalizing the purchase not only guarantees your safety but also protects you from making repair expenses down the line.
The inspection report will help in determining if you’ll engage in negotiations with the seller or opt out of the transaction.

You Have Noticed Cracks in Your Walls, Flooring, and/or Ceiling
If you have been noticing symptoms of foundation damage such as bowing walls, vertical cracks, and slanted floors, a foundation inspection would give you a more in depth look at the actual state of your property.

You are Being Required by Your Mortgage Lender
Certain mortgage lenders require the borrower to fix the issues before granting approval for the loan. They want to be certain that you have the capacity to repair the foundation issues and pay the mortgage. So, before you can do anything with the property, a home foundation inspection is usually the first step.

Do Structural Engineers Perform The Foundation Inspection?

What to Expect from a Home Foundation Inspection

The foundation inspection process is fairly straightforward.
The goal is to determine if there are any flaws, bowed walls, harmed or drooping floors and ceilings, along with other indicators of concern. This enables you to take action before the foundation problems become too significant (and costly!) to address.

What do House Foundation Inspections Involve?

When scheduling an inspection, it typically begins with discussing any issues you’ve noticed at your property.
It is advisable that you are present during the inspection so that the foundation inspector can readily ask you questions that may help them narrow down the problem and recommend the best solution for foundation repair.

Homeowner Interview

You’ll likely get questions about past natural events like storms, earthquakes, or floods. They may also ask about water pooling in the basement, doors and windows sticking, or if the floor seems uneven.
This helps the inspector pinpoint areas needing foundation repairs to solve any issues you’re facing.

Visual inspection of the foundation

The building inspector will enter the lower area or basement to visually examine the base.
They’ll look for any remaining dampness or smell, which often happens with cracked bases that water has entered. The size, location, and details of these cracks will be recorded for later fixing. Generally, cracks larger than a quarter inch suggest base issues, especially if there are horizontal ones.
If the property has a wooden support and beam base, it will also be inspected for decay and mold, which can lead to significant structural problems.
They’ll measure the floor heights to see if the base has moved due to ground changes. They’ll also check if the walls of the basement base are upright because bent walls indicate pressure from groundwater, which, if not dealt with, can cause major harm.

Visual inspection of the surroundings

A lot of foundation issues arise from improper drainage.
The structural engineer will walk around your property to check how well water is managed during storms, how the ground is sloped, and what kind of soil is nearby. They’ll also look for cracks in your walls or roof edges, which often mean there’s a foundation issue.
Tree roots can also crack foundations. If there are big trees or bushes around, the report will mention them so you can talk to a tree specialist later about how to keep your foundation safe.

Forensic analysis

Submission of Inspection Report

After the finalization, the verified and certified report from the structural engineer about the foundation inspection will be sent to the homeowner. This report will include findings, analysis, conclusions, and suggestions for foundation repairs.
The suggestions will be based on the results of a detailed investigation. For example, if the soil underneath is identified to lack strength, solutions like injecting grout or mortar to reinforce it may be proposed. If foundation issues stem from drainage problems, recommendations will be provided to address the house’s sewer system.

How Long Does a Foundation Inspection Take?

A foundation inspection typically takes around 2 hours to complete from the interview to the property walkthrough.

How Much Does a Home Foundation Inspection Cost?

Most of the time, you can obtain complimentary foundation assessments from foundation repair firms. While this no-cost evaluation might seem appealing, their conclusions may steer you towards utilizing their foundation repair services which may not be necessary.
It’s better to hire structural engineers for the home foundation assessment, as they offer an impartial evaluation. They’re not driven by potential financial gains from their repair recommendations, thus providing you with an unbiased viewpoint.
A professional foundation assessment typically costs less than $1,000. The fee may vary depending on the residence’s size, foundation accessibility, project complexity, or engineer expertise.
Nevertheless, it is a small price to pay for peace of mind. It could save you from headaches down the line and from spending thousands of dollars in unplanned foundation repairs, especially when the issues are caught early.

What Information Can be Obtained From a Foundation Inspection?

What Happens if a House Inspection Find a Foundation Problem?

What Happens if a House Inspection Finds a Foundation Problem?

Final Thoughts: Home Foundation Inspection In California

Having your foundation inspected can save you plenty of headaches down the line.
As a seller, this also allows you to stay ahead of any foundation issues and helps you decide how to proceed with the home sale: do you fix them first, or just sell the property as it is?
On the other hand, as a buyer, you can leverage the report during negotiations. Depending on the findings, you may feel reassured that you’re investing in a property that’s certified safe, or it could save you from buying a property with repairs you’re not prepared for.
In any case, there are numerous advantages to getting a home foundation inspection.
If you’re contemplating selling your property, whether you plan to make repairs beforehand or opt for an as-is sale, we’re here to assist you!
At JiT Home Buyers, we connect you with one of our local buyers familiar the market conditions in your area, so you’ll get the best price for your property.
You won’t have to deal with real estate agents and their commissions, so you get everything that’s on the offer. We even cover all closing costs for you!
Fill out the form below to receive a free quote for your home or give us a call us at (510) 473-5885, and we’d be happy to answer any questions you may have!

The Easiest Way To Sell Your House Fast In California

You’re in the driver’s seat when you accept our cash offer for your house. We make the process simple, fast, and easy to follow when working with us. You have no obligation to accept our cash offer for your home when contacting us for a fair cash offer for your home. No matter the reason you want to sell your house, we want to buy your home as is. Remember that you get many benefits that include no real estate agent commissions, no cleaning, no improvements, and no stress. Our cash offer for your as-is house assures you of fast cash payment at closing with a reputable Title company. You can count on our company to give you a fair cash offer for your home! If you’re still thinking, “I need to sell my house fast”, calling us could be your best decision all day. 🙂

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