So the house you are considering purchasing has had foundation ‘repairs’. While I’m sure there are additional questions that occur, here is a good starting point.
Buyers should consider asking the following questions:
If there was foundation stabilization, was the work performed under the direction and supervision of a licensed professional engineer experienced in residential foundation remediation/stabilization efforts?
Was the foundation work performed the entirety of the work initially recommended by the engineer or was something less attained due to financial constraints. In other words, if the engineer prescribed 40 piers and the home owner could only afford 10 piers, is there the likelihood that additional foundation piers will need to be installed in the future?
How long has it been since the foundation was ‘leveled’/stabilized?
What, if any, warranty is available? As a reminder, the warranty is only as reliable as the company that issued the warranty. How long has the Foundation Repair Company been in business?
Is the warranty transferable?
What does the warranty ‘cover’?
What conditions conducive to foundation movement still exist that can void the warranty? (Read the Warranty Literature, if available)
How much slab movement must occur to obligate the foundation repair company to ‘re-level’ the house? Some Warranty language may be unrealistic.
Has there been foundation movement subsequent to the initial foundation stabilization, has the house had to be ‘re-leveled’? This may indicate the installed piers are ‘slipping’.
Was a static/hydrostatic test of the waste & vent system performed subsequent to any foundation leveling/stabilization efforts? If so, where are the test results? If not, a static/hydrostatic test of the waste & vent systems is recommended. In addition, was a pressure test of the water supply lines performed? If so, where are the test results? If not, a pressure test of the water supply lines is recommended.
If the conditions that allowed the foundation to fail in the first place still exist, there is a higher likelihood of future movement.
If the foundation ‘repair’ work was performed just a month before you purchase the house, there is a high degree of likelihood that there will be cracks that form in the walls and ceilings in the future.
