The condition of the foundation of a home can have a huge impact on the property’s value. So, if you’re about to sell your home, buy a new home, or just want to know whether the value of your current home is preserved, receiving a professional foundation inspection is a wise move.
Some of the common factors that can cause problems for the foundation of your home and cause damage underneath your property include leaks, moisture, soil expansion and contraction, improperly laid slabs, etc.
In this article, we highlight the benefits of receiving a foundation inspection in your home in Lexington.
What is the purpose of foundation inspection?
The main purpose of foundation inspection is to evaluate the foundation for any structural issues. Some of the things that will be looked out for include sags, cracks, leaks, and weakness in the foundation. All these issues can lessen the value of your home. Unfortunately, a house can maintain its curb appeal while it is being eaten up by structural issues. Receiving a foundation inspection in Lexington becomes important to discover and fix these issues.
Some of the details you will be getting in the foundation inspection report include:
- Structural problems that could reduce your property’s value
- Information on potential hazards and dangers. For example, the risk of an exterior chimney collapsing.
- Damage to things such as plumbing or HVAC systems due to structural problems.
- Visible issues that affect the structure’s curb appeal such as wall cracks and slanted floors.
The benefits of foundation inspection
It is common to see the foundation of a structure develop problems over time due to the effects of wear and tear. These small foundation issues can get worse when left unaddressed and the problems can spread to other parts of the structure. A regular foundation inspection is a great way to uncover structural issues and fix them before they get worse.
The following are some advantages of having your foundation inspected regularly:
The discovery of hidden issues
The fact that you can’t see physical signs of foundation issues doesn’t mean that your foundation is in good shape. Many foundation issues that home homeowners experience start from underneath the structure and are not easily seen.
During a professional foundation inspection in Lexington, points and sections that you normally wouldn’t pay attention to are examined, and the problem and its source are uncovered. Some of these hidden places include the crawl space, basement, or chimney.
It saves you money
Generally, the cost of foundation inspection is relatively cheap; some foundation repair companies may even do it at no cost. And even if you have to pay for it, just consider the cost of buying a home, you would realize that the fee for foundation inspection is truly not much.
You become informed
If you’re looking to buy a home, a foundation inspection can help you uncover costly issues upfront. With this inspection, you are armed with the necessary information that can help you when negotiating prices, or even change your mind on the property before contracts are signed.
On the other hand, if you’re selling your home, a foundation inspection will make you fully aware of the issues with your foundation so you can fix them as soon as they are discovered.
Your investment is protected
One of the most common effects of foundation problems is that they reduce the property’s value. Receiving a Lexington foundation inspection is a good way to identify structural issues and help you decide whether spending on the home is a wise investment.
You get a professional recommendation
Not all foundation issues give easily noticeable signs and an untrained person may not be able to discover them. During professional foundation inspection, the structural engineer will examine the entire foundation and any other part of your home that can suffer the effect of a faulty foundation. The expert will then proceed to give you details of what was discovered and what should be done to fix it.
Peace of mind
You shouldn’t trade your peace of mind for anything. Knowing that your property is safe and in good condition gives you the confidence that your property’s value is preserved. When there’s a problem with the foundation of your home, it can manifest in different ways such as cracks on the walls, uneven floors, radon leaks, mold growth, and other things that can threaten your safety and health.
Receiving a foundation inspection in Lexington ensures that your property is safe for you and your family.
When should you receive a foundation inspection?
There are many reasons why you may consider it necessary to receive a foundation inspection. The following are when you should consider getting an inspection:
- When you notice signs of structural problems such as uneven floors, wall cracks, doors and windows becoming difficult to open and close, etc.
- When you need an honest assessment of a foundation’s condition before making the decision to buy the house.
- When you want to find out potential issues before putting the house up for sale.
- When you’ve experienced a natural disaster that can impact the structural integrity of the home.
The cost of a foundation inspection
Most foundation repair companies will do your foundation inspection at no cost. This can also sometimes depend on whether or not you are the owner of the property to be inspected. If you’re not the property owner, the foundation inspection may cost just you from $400 to $700.
You can call the structural engineer ahead to know the cost of inspecting your specific property. You can be sure that if you’re ever going to be charged for the foundation inspection in Lexington KY, it will be quite affordable.
Final thoughts
Irrespective of whether you’re planning to sell your house, buy a property, or you’re trying to keep your home in good shape, receiving a foundation inspection offers you many benefits. And nothing can be compared to the peace of mind that comes with knowing that your property’s structural integrity is intact.
To receive a foundation inspection, ensure that you verify the reputation of the structural engineer you are about to hire. You can check out their rating on the Better Business Bureau.