See how a second opinion on a foundation revealed inflated repair bids—unfortunately, too late to save the deal.

Have you ever had a buyer walk away because of one scary foundation report? That just happened to me. We had a home under contract, but the buyer backed out after a foundation company gave a huge repair bid. The numbers were crazy, and the buyer didn't want to risk it. But here's what most people don't realize: those big bids can be wrong.

Scare tactics can cost you thousands. I've seen it too many times. Some companies use scare tactics to win big jobs, throwing out worst-case numbers without thoroughly inspecting the property. That's exactly what happened here. The company didn't even get under the house completely. They gave a bid based on surface-level assumptions and blew the deal. Fortunately, we are able to protect the seller's interest and we are able to properly disclose the info moving forward. 

A second opinion can change everything. I brought in multiple experts, including a neutral foundation consultant. Together, we looked at every section of the property: pier-and-beam from the 1950s, a slab addition from the 1980s, and a converted garage apartment. Yes, some parts of the structure were slightly out of level. But three out of four experts agreed: the structure is stable. Doing anything to "fix" it could actually cause more problems.

"Sometimes, crawling under a house is what it takes."

Only minor corrections were needed. There were just two leaning beams caused by moisture—no major issues. We traced the problem back to poor drainage near a back corner of the home. By correcting the gutter and redirecting water, we can stabilize that section without touching the rest of the foundation. That's it. No leveling. No steel piers. No unnecessary work.

The full inspection told a different story. I even got under the house myself. What I found confirmed what the experts said. The old, tilted pilings that raised concern were already replaced. The new pilings were installed behind the old ones. But because the original company didn't look closely, they recommended replacing things that didn't need replacing.

Get the right people and ask the right questions. We took the home off the market, addressed the minor issues, and are getting ready to relist with full disclosure and confidence. This kind of extra effort makes a difference. I'm not afraid to crawl under a house if that's what it takes to protect a deal.

Let's discuss whether you're a buyer or seller who wants the truth, not just the first opinion. I go beyond the surface to ensure my clients save time, money, and stress. Call me at 512-587-4050 or email [email protected]. Let's get your deal done right.