EXPERT FOUNDATION INSPECTION SERVICES AND PRICING

SERVING ALL OF WESTERN WASHINGTON

PROTECT YOUR HOME WITH SEATTLE FOUNDATION INSPECTIONS + BID SERVICES

  • Common Signs of Foundation Trouble

    Look out for these red flags:

    • Nail Pops: Cracks from foundation settlement pushing nails through drywall.

    • Wall/Floor Gaps: Uneven settling creates gaps as floors lift.

    • Uneven Floors: Differential settlement or weak joists cause sloping.

    • Drywall Cracks: Cracks near doors/windows from uneven weight distribution.

    • Flood Damage: Water erodes soil, leading to sinking or shifting.

    • Cracked Chimney: Separate foundation settling causes cracks or leaning.

    • Sinking Foundation: Lack of support leads to downward movement.

    • Stuck Doors/Windows: Frames warp or sink, making them hard to open.

    • Basement Cracks: Vertical or horizontal cracks from soil pressure or water.

    • Bowed Basement Walls: Walls bending inward signal serious structural issues.

    • Cracked Bricks/Blocks: Stair-step cracks from uneven settling.

    Why These Issues Happen

    Foundation problems often stem from:

    • Poor Soil Prep: Sets up foundation failure.

    • Under Built Foundations: Often older homes have severely underbuilt foundations.

    • Expansive/Consolidating Soil: Clay soils swell and shrink, stressing the foundation.

    • Evaporation: Shrinks soil, reducing support.

    • Flooding: Expands soil, adding pressure.

    • Large Trees: Roots disrupt soil and concrete.

  • Common Crawl Space and Basement Issues

    Look for these red flags:

    • Musty Odors: Excess moisture causes mold or mildew growth.

    • Standing Water: Poor drainage leads to pooling in crawl spaces or basements.

    • Bowed Walls: Soil pressure bends basement walls inward.

    • Vertical Cracks: Shifting soil creates pressure, cracking basement walls.

    • Horizontal Cracks: Water and soil press against walls, indicating severe issues.

    • Sagging Floors: Weak crawl space supports or moisture damage cause floors to dip.

    • High Humidity: Poor ventilation leads to dampness and wood rot.

    • Cracked Concrete: Water seepage or settling cracks basement floors.

    • Mold Growth: Persistent moisture fosters mold, affecting air quality.

    • Pest Infestations: Damp crawl spaces attract rodents or insects.

    • Efflorescence: White, chalky deposits on walls signal water seepage.

    Why These Problems Occur

    Crawl space and basement issues often stem from:

    • Poor Soil Conditions: Expansive clay soils swell with water, then shrink when dry, stressing walls and floors.

    • Improperly Prepped Fill Dirt: Uncompacted or poorly graded fill dirt settles unevenly, causing cracks and sinking.

    • Water Infiltration: Heavy rain or high groundwater seeps in, eroding soil and increasing hydrostatic pressure on walls.

    • Poor Drainage: Water accumulates without proper grading or systems.

  • Common Retaining Wall Issues

    Spot these warning signs:

    • Cracks in Walls: Soil pressure causes vertical or stair-step cracks.

    • Leaning or Bulging: Walls tilt outward from excessive soil force.

    • Water Seepage: Poor drainage leads to water pooling or erosion behind the wall.

    • Soil Erosion: Runoff washes away soil, destabilizing the wall.

    • Cracked Blocks: Uneven settling creates stress, cracking blocks.

    Why These Problems Occur

    Retaining wall issues often result from:

    • Poor Soil Conditions: Expansive clay soils swell with water, then shrink when dry, pushing against walls.

    • Improperly Prepped Fill Dirt: Uncompacted or poorly graded fill dirt settles unevenly, causing instability.

    • Water Infiltration: Heavy rain or high groundwater seeps in, increasing pressure on walls.

    • Poor Drainage: Lack of proper drainage systems allows water to build up, eroding soil.

    • Inadequate Design: Walls not built to handle soil load or height lead to failure.

SATISFACTION GUARANTEED

We stand behind our home inspectors and their reports.

SEAMLESS PAYMENT

We make it simple to complete the transaction and get your detailed report.

WE CATER TO YOUR SCHEDULE

We’re available when you need us.

WE ARE YOUR SUPPORT

Seattle Foundation Inspections work for you and support your goals.

What Our Clients Say

  • "We got so many conflicting opinions from free basement repair estimates —it was a mess! Jay did a very thorough inspection and gave us a detailed report on our basement issues, helping us hire a contractor without getting scammed"

    Emmett Marsh

  • "Every repair company had a different take on our foundation issues and we didn’t know who to believe. These guys did an inspection and put together a repair plan while he was here. The repair plan were straightforward and honest, guiding us to the right solution"

    Lindsey Beumer

  • "The inspection from SFI was so thorough! No more guesswork."

    Keith Finley

  • "We were fed up with free repair companies giving vague answers about our foundation settlement. They did a very thorough inspection and even gave us scans of our foundation. This helped us so much when trying to understand where to have piles installed."

    Mariel S.

 PRICING

  • Under 2500 SF $500

    2501 - 4000 SF $600

    4001 - 5000 SF $650

    5001 - 7000 SF $750

    7001 - 9000 SF $1000

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

  • Whether you’re buying a home or addressing issues in your current property, a foundation inspection is crucial to ensure your home’s stability and avoid surprises. At SFI, we conduct a comprehensive assessment of your foundation, crawl spaces, basement walls, retaining walls, and more, using the most modern tools to gather precise data—beyond just a visual check. We specialize in identifying structural issues and providing detailed repair plans, empowering you to hire the right contractors without falling for slimy sales tactics from repair companies. Schedule your inspection today!

  • Absolutely. We’re happy to explain everything we’re looking at. There will be times where we need to focus and evaluate, but feel free to tag along and ask questions.

  • Your home is likely your biggest investment, so you need to be certain it’s built on a solid foundation. Don’t risk it with free estimates that often mislead. Even if your house looks perfect, hidden foundation issues can lead to major headaches down the road. At SFI, we use advanced tools to uncover both visible and hidden problems—cracks, settling, or water damage—that could cost you big later. My expert assessment and detailed repair plan give you the clarity to make informed decisions, ensuring your home stays safe and secure. Schedule with SFI today!

  • The estimator should be able to provide you with his/he experience working in this industry and maybe even a few example jobs they’ve done. For larger condominium biuldings, we may have mutliple inspectors on site during the inspection process.

  • Before considering getting the inspectors services, ask for samples first. See if you are able to understand the inspector’s reporting style or not and if the parameters in the report fulfill all your needs. Most inspectorS will be able to provide you with their full report 24 hours after inspection.

  • If your inspection report uncovers foundation issues, don’t panic—We’ve got you covered. Our detailed report breaks down every problem, from cracks to settling, with a clear repair plan you can trust. Unlike free estimate companies that might exaggerate issues to upsell you, I provide honest recommendations, empowering you to hire the right contractors without falling for scare tactics. With my guidance, you’ll address issues confidently and keep your home secure.

  • Homes come in all shapes and sizes, so the inspection time can vary. On average, it can take between 1-3 hours. Give us a call for a quick estimate on your home.

  • With each defect, we include which type of contractor you will need to search for to get quotes. We give unbiased recommendations.

  • You bet! We are happy to walk through all the details with you. We know how overwhelming foundation work can be and want to make the process as easy and stress free as possible.