A free foundation inspection that tells you what is actually going on
Before any repair, someone needs to look at the whole house and say what is moving, what is leaking and what is simply old. That visit is free, and you keep the findings either way.
Our inspection is not a sales visit dressed up as one. We spend the time to understand the house: the type and age of the foundation, the way the lot drains, how the cracks run, and what has changed since you first noticed them. Most visits take about an hour.
Inside, we look at every basement wall for cracks, bowing, efflorescence and water marks, measure any lean, check the floor for heave or settling, and look at posts, beams and the sill where the house sits on the foundation. Upstairs, we check doors, windows and floors for the patterns that settling leaves behind. In a crawl space, we look at moisture, wood rot and support.
Outside, we walk the foundation, the grade, gutters and downspouts, window wells, walks and patios that slope toward the house, and the retaining walls that so many Pittsburgh lots rely on. Hillside houses get a close look at the uphill wall and at any signs that the slope itself is moving.
Afterwards, we sit down with you and go through what we found, in order of importance. If repairs are needed, you get a written price. If they are not, you get that in plain words too. When you need it on paper, for a home purchase or sale, a lender or an insurance question, we can provide a written report with photos. When a stamped engineer's letter is needed, we will tell you, and we can arrange one.
What the job includes
Inside and outside
Walls, floors, beams and posts, then grade, gutters, walks and retaining walls.
Measured, not eyeballed
Crack widths, wall deflection and floor levels recorded with dates.
Cause before cure
We explain why each problem happened before suggesting any fix.
Plain priorities
What to fix now, what to watch, and what to leave alone.
Buying or selling
Written findings with photos when a deal depends on it.
Engineer when needed
We tell you when a licensed engineer should sign off and can arrange it.
Structural inspection cost in Pittsburgh
| Job | Typical range | What moves it |
|---|---|---|
| Foundation inspection at your house | Free | No charge, no obligation |
| Written report with photos | $250 – $450 | For buyers, sellers, lenders |
| Engineer's stamped letter, arranged by us | $450 – $900 | Set by the engineer |
| Re-check after a season (crack monitoring) | Free | When we asked to watch something |
Typical 2026 ranges for Pittsburgh-area houses, to help you plan. Your price comes after the free inspection, itemized and in writing, and the work starts only when you agree to it.
On the job
Questions about structural inspection
What does the free inspection cover?
The full foundation inside and out, the floors and framing above it, and the drainage around the house. You get our findings in person, and a written price if repairs are needed.
Is this the same as a home inspection?
No. A home inspector looks at the whole house briefly. We look only at the foundation, basement and drainage, in more depth. Many buyers call us after a home inspector flags a crack.
Do you provide engineer reports?
We are foundation contractors, not engineers. When a stamped engineer's letter is needed for a lender, a permit or a sale, we will tell you and can arrange one.
How long does it take?
About an hour for a typical house, a bit longer for larger homes or those with crawl spaces.
Will you pressure me to sign?
No. You get the findings and a written price, and you can take as long as you like. Some people get a second opinion, which we think is sensible.
I am buying a house with a crack. Can you look before closing?
Yes. Tell us the closing date when you call and we will fit you in. We can put the findings and an estimate in writing for your negotiation.