Foundation inspection: who to call, what it costs and what you get

Signs you may need foundation inspection

• Doors and windows that stick or no longer latch
• Cracks wider than about 1/4 inch, horizontal cracks or stair-step cracks in block or brick
• Sloping or bouncy floors
• Gaps between walls and ceiling, or trim pulling away
• Water in the basement or crawl space after rain

How foundation inspection is done

1. Walk-around outside: grading, gutters, downspouts, cracks in brick and the visible foundation
2. Inside: cracks in walls, ceilings and floors, doors and windows, and the basement or crawl space
3. Floor elevation survey with a digital level (common for slab and pier and beam homes)
4. Notes and photos, and a conclusion: monitor, maintenance (drainage), or structural repair
5. For an engineer: a signed report, sometimes with a repair design or pier layout

How much foundation inspection costs

Price depends on the size of the house, the foundation type (slabs are quickest; pier and beam and finished basements take longer) and whether you need a signed report. Structural engineers charge roughly $100–$220 an hour for anything beyond a standard visit.

Source: HomeGuide, Foundation inspection cost (updated Feb 2026); HomeGuide, Foundation repair cost (updated Feb 2026); HomeGuide, Structural engineer cost (updated Dec 2025). Checked October 2026.

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Structural engineer vs foundation repair company

Use both for big jobs: the engineer diagnoses and specifies, the contractor builds, and the engineer can come back to confirm the work matches the design. Some contractors include an engineer's letter in the price; ask whether that engineer is independent.

Before you hire

• Decide what you want: a free sales inspection from a repair company, or an independent report from an engineer
• Ask whether the report will be written and signed, and whether it includes floor elevations
• If you get a repair proposal, ask for the number and location of piers or anchors in writing
• Keep the report: buyers, lenders and insurers often ask for it

Permits, codes and licensing

Contractor licensing is set by each state, and some leave it to cities or counties. Some states license this work at state level (for example the CSLB in California, the Registrar of Contractors in Arizona or the DBPR in Florida); others only require registration or local licenses. Check the license or registration number on your state's or city's public lookup before you pay a deposit, and ask for proof of liability insurance.

Companies that offer foundation inspection

491 companies in the directory name this repair on their own website (the quote is on each company page); they are listed first in each state. Another 11 are companies that usually offer it but don't say so online – confirm when you call.