Out of sight, out of mind certainly doesn’t apply to your home’s foundation. The foundation is a major component of new home construction. When there are problems with the foundation, solutions are often expensive. Fortunately, many foundational issues provide specific visual cues that should be readily apparent to inhabitants of a home. If you’re concerned about the stability of a newly built home, Realtor.com recommends looking for the following signs of a faulty foundation.
Pressure outside the foundation often causes basement walls to become bowed. Other areas may exhibit cracks, including floors and walls. You might also find that water is easily making its way into your home, which can cause further damage. When a foundation is skewed, windows and doors often stick or fail to close completely.
In this case, the first step is to schedule a home inspection, which will give you a good idea of the extent of the damage. Foundation damage can be caused by all sorts of issues. Inclement weather can cause the soil surrounding the foundation to shift, which in turn causes issues with settling. Stem walls, which are major structures the home uses for support, may also experience issues with wear and tear. While these problems often affect older homes, even new construction can be subject to foundational issues.
In most instances, problems with a home’s foundation can be remedied. However, it can be costly to address these issues, especially if additional damage has occurred as a result. Installation of a new foundation can cost as much as $40,000. Significant repairs range from about $3,500 to $30,000 depending on the extent of the damage. If a homeowner believes the contractor was responsible for shoddy foundation construction, it’s best to contact an attorney to discuss possible solutions.