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Houses have foundations that need to be repaired. It’s a fact. Even if you somehow managed to build a home that remained unaffected over the years, the changing of the landscape around it would still eventually be cause for adjustment.
It’s unavoidable. What is avoidable, however, is whether you purchase that house, knowing full well that it already needs those adjustments. Yes, there is a charm to a fixer-upper. That charm only goes so far when trying to sweet talk your bank account.
However, necessary foundation repairs on a house in Shreveport can’t be ignored. So, the question remains: is it or is it not worth it?
Possible Issues Requiring Foundation Repair on a House
Before you set out to tackle a faulty foundation, keep in mind that, in accordance with property disclosure law, all homeowners are required to disclose any work they have had done on their property prior to resale.
That being said, let’s discuss the 4 common problems that tend to lead to foundation repairs: cracks, leaks, settling, and bowing walls.
Cracks
The easiest and cheapest repair…some of the time. The two biggest causes of cracks in a foundation both come from the foundation beneath the foundation, the soil.
Whether it’s an issue of settling soil or soil moisture, chances are you’re going to have to call in a structural engineer. This could lead to a simpler solution such as mudjacking, or it could lead to a much more complicated, but in some ways permanent, a solution such as piercing.
This may make you suffer losses until you have not secured your home with a home insurance plan. Here, Public Adjuster professionals prove of great help. They can assist you to get a deserving insurance claim for your home after evaluating your home’s condition. You can read here in detail about it.
Leaks
A leaky foundation is not the same thing as a leaky roof. You cannot simply patch up a leak in your foundation and be through with it.
The entire area around the foundation will need to be excavated, any cracks will need to be filled, all drainage systems will need to be checked, and new waterproofing techniques may need to be employed.
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Bowing Walls
If it looks like the walls are caving in, it might be because they are. No adult wants to live inside of a funhouse mirror. Bowing walls are usually the result of other structural issues. They’re often a sign of house settling and are typically repaired through reinforcement strips.
Settling
Are you noticing warped floors, cracks in the doors and ceilings, or windows that won’t open? Your foundation may be settling. The ground beneath your home is shifting and your home is trying to shift with it.
These issues require additional inspection and a strategic, preventative, response. You may even want multiple professional opinions on it. Regardless, you will want to act fast.
Buying a home is both scary and rewarding. Sometimes a crack is just a crack. No deeper damage, no additional opinions, no one trying to sell you a solution to a problem you don’t have. If that’s the case, go ahead and close on that house. It’s worth the investment! Factor the price into your overall spending budget.
Let’s be honest, you’re about to spend more money on replacing that ugly front door your mom hates than you are on repairing this crack. Not every problem is cause for reevaluation. But, if there is even the slightest potential that this is one of them, maybe it is time for reevaluation.
According to HomeAdvisor, the typical price range for a foundation repair is between $2,142 – $7,422. That means that there are foundation repairs that fall both above and below the numbers listed in that range.
Maybe the repair is a simple crack, right? Maybe the price for the repair starts out at a quote of $250 before waterproofing. You’re not only on the lower end, you’re at the lowest end! Then it takes 30 days to close on the house.
Then it takes another week to find a contractor that you trust because you are not going to make the mistake of hiring your college buddy’s uncle again. Then by the time your contractor is under your deck looking at what was initially a $250 crack, it’s no longer a $250 crack.
It’s a major structural issue that is going to cost you thousands of dollars. The novelty of putting your dog’s squeaky ball on the floor and watching it roll away all by itself is short-lived.
There are 4 main solutions to repairing damaged foundations.
Solutions to Necessary Foundation Repairs on a House
Piering
$1,000 – $3,000 per pier, this is considered a more permanent solution. Contractors will excavate your foundation and insert piers to lift and support the home to prevent it from further settling.
Leveling
While not a match for many homes, you might be lucky if it is for yours. Leveling, also known as foundation jacking, is anywhere from $500 – $1,300 on average and is one of the less expensive solutions to a struggling foundation.
Stabilization
Your walls have bowed and now your focus is on un-bowing them, so your contractor recommends stabilization. Reinforcing your walls with carbon fiber or steel is a pricey but unavoidable endeavor. Ranging from $4,000 – $12,000 for 12 reinforcement strips, you would hope those are all that you need.
Sealing
Waterproofing. Maybe all you need is to apply a sealant. You had a small crack, it’s all patched up, and now you’re just reinforcing. Or maybe your entire drainage system needs an overhaul. Better safe than sorry. Sealing your home can range from $2,000 – $7,000.
Conclusion
Hiring an inspector you trust to evaluate the home, prior to closing on it, is one of the most important things you can do. If you just spent $20,000 on a downpayment for a house, the last thing you want to do is pay an additional $10,000+ in repairs alone.
The short answer to whether or not you should buy a home that requires foundation repairs is no. However, short answers rarely speak to specifics. Fixing a minor crack is not the same thing as stabilizing every wall in a house.
Stabilizing every wall in a classic Victorian house is not the same thing as stabilizing every wall in a suburban farmhouse from the ‘90s. What are your priorities and what is your budget?
Our hearts don’t always want the same things that our wallets do. So the best advice I can give you is that, before you go listing your name on the deed, have a proper inspector evaluate the home so you have a better idea of what you’re in for!
