What should you do if a home inspection flags a structural problem?
Get an engineer to look at it before your inspection period ends, and send them the inspection report. The engineer can tell you whether the issue is minor, needs repair, or changes whether you want the house.
Inspection periods are short, so call as soon as you see the note in the report.
Why not just rely on the home inspector?
Inspectors are trained to find and flag. When they see a foundation crack, a sloping floor or altered framing, they usually recommend a structural engineer. That recommendation is the signal to act. See structural engineer vs home inspector for the difference.
What kinds of findings usually trigger a call?
- Horizontal or stair-step cracks in foundation walls.
- A basement wall that bows or leans.
- Floors that slope or feel bouncy.
- Evidence a wall was removed or an opening was cut without a proper beam.
- Bulging or cracked brick, or a leaning chimney, common in older St. Louis homes.
- Notched, cut or doubled-up framing members.
How does the timing work?
Check your contract for the inspection period and what the remedies are, because they vary. Call an engineer right away, tell us your deadline and send the report. Your agent or attorney can help with deadlines and negotiation. We handle the structural question.
Do not wait for the seller to offer a repair first.
What will the engineer tell you?
We visit the property, look at the area flagged and anything related, and report in writing what we found. Typically that covers:
- What is causing the condition.
- Whether it looks active or old and stable.
- What repair is reasonable, if any.
- Whether anything is urgent or unsafe.
We hedge where an answer depends on what cannot be seen, such as conditions behind finished walls.
What can you do with the answer?
A written report gives you something concrete for negotiation. Depending on your contract, options may include asking for repairs, a price adjustment, or walking away. Those decisions belong to you and your agent or attorney. Get the report in hand before you decide.
An independent engineer is helpful here because we are not selling the repair. See structural engineer vs foundation repair company.
Can you get an engineer before making an offer?
Sometimes, if the seller allows access. It is more common to schedule the visit during the inspection period. Our pre-purchase structural inspection service is set up for this. The fee depends on scope and is confirmed before the visit.
What should you send us?
Send the address, your inspection deadline and the report. We reply within one business day.