You’re wondering what exactly will happen at a foundation inspection. And not the *duh* answer of, “Well, your foundation is going to be inspected.” You just want a few more specific details on what this process is like so you know what to expect.
At Anchor Foundation Repair, we have been assessing and repairing foundations in Bryan, College Station, and other Brazos Valley communities like Brenham and Madisonville since 1985. We do foundation inspections every week and can tell you what’s up with this process.
There are 3 basic steps that any foundation repair contractor would take in the process of assessing your home’s foundation. Let’s take a look!
3 Common Steps In a Foundation Inspection
First things first, if you are unsure whether you need a foundation inspection, it is important to know the signs of foundation damage. Sticking doors, cracked walls, shifting trim, and other common symptoms can help determine if you need an inspection.
Then you would reach out to your chosen contractor, and probably have a phone conversation about your home’s problems. Next, an on-site inspection is likely scheduled. The steps below are the most common *things that happen* during the consultation process.
All repair companies have different methods when inspecting a home and might have more steps along with what is listed here. But these are the very basics that should get covered no matter what.
1. Reviewing the Exterior of the Home
It is common for most foundation inspections to begin on the exterior of the home. Looking at the outside of the home allows the inspector to break down any potential problems that might be happening.
Typical inspection points are windows and any failure or separation of trim on the outside of the home. The inspector will look at the direction of diagonal or stair-step cracking in brick. Gapping or stretching of caulk lines can also help the contractor in assessing the problem. All these signs aid in determining where the damage is to the foundation and which way the foundation settlement is occurring.
The outside tour also includes looking over the soil conditions around the home, gutter runoff, brick cracking, and foundation appearance. After reviewing damage points and red flags on the exterior, the inspection moves inside for a more complete picture.
2. Going Over the Interior of the Home
Going through the house is important, and having access to the whole home is needed. If all areas of the home are not available for review, the inspection may not be able to be completed or nearly as thorough.
Most inspections start where the homeowner has seen symptoms of damage. These problem spots are either communicated to the inspector in person during the assessment or in advance through phone conversations and pictures.
While looking at the areas where homeowners noticed the issues, the inspector will also be scanning for less noticeable signs. A homeowner might not even realize some signs are an issue or an indicator of a problem. Other homeowner concerns might actually be false signs of foundation issues that can be clarified.
Inspecting the interior of the home is key to finding where the issues are occurring to the foundation. Measurements of the rooms in the home are taken to provide the inspector with clear dimensions for the scale drawing of the home and the location of any problem found.
3. Drawing of the Home and Work Proposal
After completing the exterior and interior review of the home, the next step is providing a drawing or diagram that includes the damages, recommended repair remedies and support locations, and a detailed plan to fix the foundation problem with your home. Some contractors call it a repair plan, or a quote, or a bid.
But it will look like a diagram of the aerial view or footprint of your home. The repair plan will show the approximate location and number of planned underpinning supports needed under the home to raise and level it and return it to its original elevation. That’s the definition of foundation repair in a nutshell.
Measurements were already taken to ensure accurate dimensions on the drawing. The main goal is to provide a detailed diagram that is the actual plan to repair the home. Some companies deliver drawings in different ways.
It is common to expect a traditional paper-drawn diagram. In today’s digital world, inspection reports done through software and delivered electronically are also a popular option. In this final delivery, a proposal for work and total cost for the foundation repair is offered for a homeowner’s consideration.
How Soon Can I Get My Inspection?
How soon someone can come to see you ultimately depends on supply and demand. If there are a lot of homeowners wanting inspections right now and demand is high, an inspector will have to schedule farther out. If there is time available sooner, the foundation repair inspection could certainly be scheduled within a few days.
Typically, any foundation repair contractor should be able to get to you within 2 to 3 weeks but it all depends on what might already be booked.
We can assure you that most foundation repair issues are not emergencies. Most problems have taken many years to form, so it’s safe to wait a few weeks in most cases. Much like a cavity that needs to be filled at the dentist, it’s something that needs to be done, but not much will change about the situation if your appointment is a few days or weeks away.
What’s Different About Anchor Doing Your Foundation Inspection?
Anchor gives homeowners a digital drawing of their home after the In-Home Assessment. That’s what we call our foundation inspections.
This repair diagram provides a clearly defined plan of action and cost for repair and eliminates uncertainty about what needs to be done to support your home properly.
Our paid In-Home Assessment also includes verbal discussions for other problem areas like improving drainage, guttering, irrigation, etc. This information is invaluable to the homeowner in the future to gain an understanding of how they can care for their home.
“Of course, I will share with you what I see as problems or potential problem areas around the home in my role as a foundation repairman. More importantly, I’ll share my thoughts with you from the perspective of a homeowner myself, as well as a neighbor, and friend.”
Craig Tripp – Anchor Foundation Repair President, Owner, CEO, and Foundation Repair Extraordinaire
We charge $225 to $275 for our professional In-Home Assessments. We spend as much time as needed listening to homeowner concerns and answering any questions.
How To Get a Foundation Inspection From Anchor
Before coming out for a paid visit, we ask for pictures and have a FREE and detailed phone or video call. We want to first verify the need for repair and determine if a home inspection is appropriate. We don’t want to waste your time or your money with a visit if repairs are not needed.
At Anchor Foundation Repair, the charge for our assessment is 100% applied to the cost of any committed repair proposal. For 35+ years, Brazos Valley homeowners have appreciated the information we provide as both an honest and forthcoming professional opinion of their foundation’s condition and need for repair.
If you are ready to get started with Anchor, go ahead and fill out our contact form today to get in touch with our foundation repair experts. We are ready to provide you with 100% transparency and offer a voice of trust in handling all your foundation issues.