Foundation Sinking Repair

Foundation Sinking Repair

“Carl,

My house is almost 100 years old and it doesn’t seem like any of the previous owners updated it other than maybe installing electricity for the house. I don't know whether I should rebuild it or just sell it and buy a new house.

I like its location and would rather stay there. I know the cost of rebuilding the house would be great because we really have no lot. Our house is separated by our neighbors by only about 2 yards.

I thought about remodeling but there is so much to do that may be rebuilding would cost just as much. The house is subsided so I was told before I could do anything that is the first problem to fix.

What should I do?”


Hi, I had to look up the word "subsided.” It means: to sink.

I’ll have to make some assumptions here, as I don’t really have enough information.

First of all, sinking or settling foundations are not uncommon.

Even the Leaning Tower of Pisa needed leveling a bit. It was about to "go".

Here’s what I would do:

1. Determine what it would cost to level the house. This is an all too common problem, especially with older houses with pier foundations.

Contact a company that specializes in Foundation Repair:

Here is a link to the National Association of Waterproofing and Structural Repair Contractors, Inc. Their web site has a locator to find contractor members across the country.

Or you can find subcontractors who do leveling in the yellow pages.

You may also want to have a structural engineer check it. They are also found in the Yellow pages.

Leveling houses is done all the time. It is a slow process (several weeks) as years (maybe decades) of settling have to be reversed. If it’s done too fast, structural and/or mechanical failures can occur.

2. As a precaution, have a structural engineer also check the rest of the structure.

3. Create two cost estimates, one for remodeling the house and one for a total gut and rebuild.

You can use the building cost estimator (#5) on my “Getting Started” page. Just pick and choose the categories that will apply to your project and plug them into a spreadsheet (Spreadsheets are FREE on my “Spreadsheet” page).

The costs will seem low, but if you act as your own General Contractor, should be achievable.Then decide which way to go.

As to the closeness of your neighbors, it may make it a little more difficult, but how would you like this for closeness.


These homes are in San Francisco where remodeling and rebuilding (including total teardowns) seem to be a local "pastime".

Hope I've helped.

Let me know.
Carl

P.S. You should also to read "Foundation Cracked"