Ok there is this house that I really want to buy. The trouble is that the floors slope and the doors wont shut because they arent lined up correctly. There is obviously some trouble with the foundation. The owner told me of a beam that is broken along the back of the house and you can see where one side of the house slopes. But in other areas in front of the house and in other rooms it slopes then goes back up, its not all local to that beam that is broken. Any idea what could be the cause? Any idea on the costs to repair it? I am guessing it will be a big expense but I really want this house.
2006-12-16 12:57:42 · 10 answers · asked by mischievous 1 in Home & Garden ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
hire a structural inspector to check it out. Sounds like major repairs Big $. thousands of dollars
2006-12-16 13:03:14 · answer #1 · answered by xjoizey 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am in the middle of trying to, and I repeat, trying to repair the foundation under my sisters house. I have plenty of experiance of building homes from the ground up, but this is not only different, is is 10 times as hard. One 12 ton hydraulic jack kicked out and it broke several pains in a large window. I have about 5 to 7 feet to work under the area I am working on and it is still a pain in the rump.
If the foundation is settleing, and it is, it isn't sitting on solid ground. You more than likely can't get a backhoe to dig where it is, so it would all be hand work.
The only way I would think about buying a home like this one would be to be wanting to dig a basement under it, and pour a solid footing and lay blocks for the walls and that is a great undertaking.
I contracted a job in 1982, for going under a home and putting a basement in 12 ' deep x 24' wide and then coming out 12 more feet and putting 2 rooms above it for $33,000, and lost my butt on the job. I could have built the 2 rooms for $12,000 on a regular foundation and made money on it.
Please, find you another house that you really want to buy. You will never get that house right, unless you are close to the Good Lord and do some heavey duty praying.
If everything has already settled to where the doors won't close, there will be a lot of jacking just to get it level again, and even "IF" you ever get it level, it wont stay there. In a short few years you will be doing it all over again. A never ending process and with a problem like this, you won't ever be able to get your money back out of it. That's just my two cents worth, but these two pennies are gold on this question. Don't buy unless he is almost giving it to you or maybe paying you to take it.
2006-12-16 15:35:13 · answer #2 · answered by dennis_phillips7 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The sounds like the foundation has settled, leading to cracks and breakage in the support beams . This can be corrected easily enough, but could be costly depending on the damage. I have known of families paying under $ 1000 dollars to have repair work done to their foundation. Have the owner of the house get an estimate on the repair cost, if he wants to sell bad enough and you want the house, maybe you both can split the cost.
2006-12-16 13:09:57 · answer #3 · answered by Jean W 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would consult with a structural engineer. They are the most qualified resource available to you, and can save you a lot of money in the long term. Don't rely on an inspector or a contractor, for they are not educated in solving this kind of a problem. If you do buy the house, you should use the services of a structural engineer anyway. You may need to get house movers to raise the house while the foundation is being repaired or replaced.
2006-12-16 15:38:25 · answer #4 · answered by Tech Dude 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Hire an inspector before you buy. It is the best money you will ever spend. Make certain this inspector has a great knowledge of foundations. Don't know if I would trust the current owner, unless you know him/her.
It sounds like the foundation has settled, but why? Repairs can be costly, depending on the cause. Your inspector should be able to tell you more. Listen to this person's advice, but don't expect him/her to tell you to buy or not to buy. Good luck.
2006-12-16 13:20:31 · answer #5 · answered by tim r 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Concrete foundations are very difficult to repair and could cost into the 10s of thousands of dollars. I wouldn't buy it unless they are going to more or less give it to you but ill bet that isn't going to be the case.
2006-12-16 14:48:41 · answer #6 · answered by panicbutton4562003 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I do not want this piece of junk !
Repeat this about a hundred times.
You're asking for big trouble.
You need the assistance of a professional structural engineer.
The owner's assessment is as junky as this house sounds.
I cannot flush my hard earned money down the toilet.
Repeat this about a hundred times.
Then . . .
Walk, No, RUN away and live happily ever after.
2006-12-20 10:50:06 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, you should not buy the house. Find another one that doesn't have any problems. Why do you really want this house when it has structural problems? When you think of your ideal house does it have foundation issues that could be major?
2006-12-16 13:04:31 · answer #8 · answered by porkchop 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Every answer you have received from others are correct.
But remember this.A house is like a relationship,if you don't have a good foundation don't waste your time.
2006-12-17 03:48:31 · answer #9 · answered by Richard G 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Doesn't sound good....beware!!
2006-12-16 13:03:20 · answer #10 · answered by johnnydean86 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋