Foundation movement question

kelly001 · 10-01-2006, 08:08 PM

What does it mean if a foundation on a 200+ year old antique house is noted as inward or outward movement of foundation with some settling/sagging/deflection.

Is this to be expected with such an old house or is this most likely the tell-tale signs of major problems?

Tscarborough · 10-01-2006, 08:10 PM

Is the movement recent or did it hapen a hundred years ago? NMI.

kelly001 · 10-01-2006, 10:13 PM

The seller's for a home we are considering had a consultant do a "home inspection" to assess their property. They have provided us with a copy of the results. The consultant noted those findings but did not ellaborate on paper.

We would obviously have a structural engineer look at the property if we put a bid and it is accepted however if this is a big problem, we would like to save ourselves the cost of hiring a structural engineer and home inspector. The overall condition for the structure/basement was assessed as marginal. (3 ratings were on the form appears fonctional, marginal and defective)

Tscarborough · 10-01-2006, 10:22 PM

Not to be rude, but there is nothing anyone on an internet BBS can contribute that would help you to assess this property in a significant way. You will need to have a structural engineer at a minimum, and probably an architect as well as consulting contractors to provide you with enough information to buy the home.

inspects · 10-02-2006, 12:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kelly001

we would like to save ourselves the cost of hiring a structural engineer and home inspector. The overall condition for the structure/basement was assessed as marginal. (3 ratings were on the form appears fonctional, marginal and defective)

You should have a contractor look at the problem. An engineer is going to tell you "how" to fix it just like a "contractor" would.

A home inspector will tell you to have "three contractors" look at the problem and come up with a repair with quotes.

I would find three licensed contractors in the foundation business and have them all give you repair options with prices.

kelly001 · 10-02-2006, 07:09 AM

Thanks for all the answers. Hopefully we can find a couple contractors to give us estimates in MA's hot market. Seems like they are impossible to get a hand on for such ellusive jobs.

10-01-2006, 08:08 PM	#1
kelly001 card house builder Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: MA Posts: 8	Foundation movement question What does it mean if a foundation on a 200+ year old antique house is noted as inward or outward movement of foundation with some settling/sagging/deflection. Is this to be expected with such an old house or is this most likely the tell-tale signs of major problems?

10-01-2006, 08:10 PM	#2
Tscarborough Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 1,037	Foundation movement question Is the movement recent or did it hapen a hundred years ago? NMI.

10-01-2006, 10:13 PM	#3
kelly001 card house builder Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: MA Posts: 8	Foundation movement question The seller's for a home we are considering had a consultant do a "home inspection" to assess their property. They have provided us with a copy of the results. The consultant noted those findings but did not ellaborate on paper. We would obviously have a structural engineer look at the property if we put a bid and it is accepted however if this is a big problem, we would like to save ourselves the cost of hiring a structural engineer and home inspector. The overall condition for the structure/basement was assessed as marginal. (3 ratings were on the form appears fonctional, marginal and defective)

10-01-2006, 10:22 PM	#4
Tscarborough Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 1,037	Foundation movement question Not to be rude, but there is nothing anyone on an internet BBS can contribute that would help you to assess this property in a significant way. You will need to have a structural engineer at a minimum, and probably an architect as well as consulting contractors to provide you with enough information to buy the home.

10-02-2006, 07:09 AM	#6
kelly001 card house builder Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: MA Posts: 8	Foundation movement question Thanks for all the answers. Hopefully we can find a couple contractors to give us estimates in MA's hot market. Seems like they are impossible to get a hand on for such ellusive jobs.

Foundation movement question