What Does A Foundation Inspection Report Include?

When purchasing a home, foundation inspection is one of the vital things that the buyer has to ensure that a licensed and unbiased structural engineer does it. The engineer should be independent to give clear information about the foundation of the house without biasness. This is a crucial aspect as it provides the buyer with significant data regarding the investment.

The structural engineer will check whether the foundation performs the intended function, complies with the codes of building and repairs are required. The structural engineer should complete an extensive inspection of the foundation.

The foundation inspection report includes the following:


The structural engineer is allowed to interrogate the owner of the house by asking relevant questions regarding the exterior and the interior of the house. This can also include examining the interior and exterior of the house. The engineer will verify levels of elevation, test fitting of doors and windows, examine support beams, identify internal cracks, inspect water damage, and assess the strength of concrete walls.

Regarding the exterior examination, the engineer will consider looking at the landscape and water drainage, irregular slopes, degraded building materials, and cracks on the exterior walls.

Floor Survey

Before inspecting the structure of the whole house, the structural engineer must collect information about floor elevation to check whether the floor is damaged and needs repairs. Floor elevations are an essential part of the inspection process. Every structural engineer must examine the floor elevations every time inspection is done. The floor is a vital part of a foundation; hence monitoring its performance is primary. In case the floor elevation is poor quality after some time, the house will start cracking, and it will require repair. Every house owner and buyer need to have a floor survey to avoid frustrations from cracked floors.

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The structural engineer should carry out a comprehensive inspection of cabinets, trim, doors and walls using a level. This is to ensure that everything is well fixed and check out there are some that require repair or replacement. Every house should have intact doors, cabinets, windows, trims and walls for comfort. Investors like having reliable and competent looking houses.

Forensic Data

The forensic analysis encompasses giving a piece of trustworthy information regarding uneven floors alongside any form of movement of the level. The structural engineer, in this case, is expected to provide information about the real cause of the movement or uneven floor. The probable causes of such floors include standing water beneath or near the foundation, unsatisfactory grading and active soils dried next to trees.


After carrying out a forensic analysis, the structural engineer is then expected to give an explanation about the causes of the uneven floor in case they are present to the owner of the house. Moreover, if there are any suggestions on what should be done regarding the floor, the engineer will discuss with the owner of the house about remediation alongside maintenance and other prevention suggestions to make the house stable and durable.

Structural Engineer Report

This is a piece of vital information presented by the engineer to the homeowner. The engineering report should give a clear outline of the scope services and include the observations of the engineer, including the interview, recommendations and conclusions. Additionally, the engineering report should consist of a comprehensive floor elevation map. Moreover, the report is considered legit if it is signed and sealed with a professional structural engineer. Foundation inspection should be conducted occasionally, and the engineer should provide detailed information regarding the findings.

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