Selling a house at any time is a long and difficult process. If your home needs foundation repairs, it can be even more troublesome. Foundation repairs are pretty common, with the National Association of Homebuilders reporting that around 80% of structural insurance claims are caused by foundation movement. They also state that one in four American homes will need some type of foundation repair in its lifetime.
Signs of Foundation Problems
When you’re getting ready to sell your home, you may notice things that you hadn’t noticed before (or chose to ignore). You may find that you have a bowed or leaning wall, cracks in ceilings, floors. or walls, misaligned doors or windows, and uneven floors. After moving furniture or boxes, you may discover a leak or wet area in your basement.
Aside from looking around the interior of your home, you should also check the exterior. If you notice cracking around the base of the foundation, there is probably a settling problem. Diagonal cracks in the bricks or concrete are a sure sign of foundation issues.
Older homes usually show signs of foundation problems inside the home, whereas newer homes usually have cracks around the outer edges of the exterior.
Any one of these problems can be a sign of a foundation issue. An expert can take a look and let you know if it is something serious. Many companies, like Jerry’s Waterproofing, will inspect your property for free if you’re the homeowner.
These problems need to be taken care of before you try to sell your house. More often than not, potential buyers will be turned off by signs of a sunken or weak foundation. Your options are to either invest in repairs or lower your asking price. Neither one is great, but you may be able to recoup your repair costs with a higher asking price.
Let us help you figure out the options available to you to make your home a good deal for the next owner.
Tips for Hiring a Contractor
Deciding to have your foundation repaired isn’t something you should decide quickly. Make sure you have the information you need to choose the right contractor. As much as we would like you to choose us, we recommend you get estimates from a couple of different companies. This way you can make an informed decision regarding your home.
We suggest you read other blog posts on here to educate yourself about foundation problems and repairs. The more information you have the more prepared you are to talk with contractors and understand the solutions they offer. If you know the basics, you’ll be better able to ask questions and get the information you need.
The Foundation Repair Network has some additional tips for you regarding foundation repair contractors.
The average foundation inspection takes around two hours. If the inspector does a quick walk around your house and then gives you an estimate, move on to the next company. They probably aren’t serious about helping you and more interested in your wallet.
We all know that money is tight, but choosing the cheapest estimate now could cost you more money in the long run. If it’s too good to be true, it probably is. We do our best to keep costs down, but we don’t cut corners or use shoddy tools. A cheap repair can cause big problems and possibly injure someone.
Ask other people for recommendations or warnings regarding foundation repair contractors they’ve used. People will be happy to tell you the good and bad about their experiences and you can decide if that contractor is right for your situation.
Foundation Repairs are Not Quick Fixes
Although many foundation repair solutions are big tasks, they don’t take that long to complete. Most repairs can be done in a week. However, it may take a month for the contractor to have an open slot in their schedule.
If you are trying to sell your home, you are probably on a time crunch, so you must get started on the foundation repair process as quickly as possible. If you think you may have to have repairs done on your house, you should have it done before you list it. The longer a home is on the market, the tougher it will be to sell it for the amount you want.
If your home is already on the market, let buyers know upfront that you are having the issues taken care of. As soon as you have an inspection and estimate, you can tell them what the issues are and what is being done to repair them. This will build trust with the buyers and let them know what to expect. A confident buyer is more likely to make an offer!
Selling a home can be a stressful time, so finding out you need foundation repair, too can push some people over the edge. It doesn’t have to be that way though. Get a professional’s opinion and educate yourself on the process. You’ll feel better when the problem is taken care of and you can sell your home and start with a new place. Contact Jerry’s Waterproofing today to learn more about foundation repair and waterproofing for your home.