Free Foundation Inspection

Most people put this off for a year longer than they should, usually because they assume the visit costs money or that saying yes to an inspection means saying yes to a repair. Neither is true. The inspection is free, and roughly a fair share of the homes inspected in this market turn out to need monitoring rather than repair.

What the Inspector Actually Does

Interior elevation survey. Readings taken on a grid across the floors using a manometer or rotary laser, producing a map of where the house is high and low and by how much.
Interior walk-through. Drywall cracks, door and window operation, gaps at trim and baseboards, tile and floor separation, fireplace separation.
Exterior walk. Brick and mortar cracking, gaps at window and door frames, visible slab edge, brick ledge exposure, separation at the porch or patio.
Drainage and grading review. Which way does the ground slope, where do the downspouts discharge, is there a low spot holding water, is soil piled against the brick ledge.
Trees and vegetation. Species and distance from the foundation — a mature tree can pull a startling amount of moisture out of clay within its root radius.
Crawl space entry on pier-and-beam homes: pier condition, shims, beam and joist condition, moisture, standing water, ventilation.
Plumbing signals. Unexplained water bill increases, damp spots, warm floors — all reasons to recommend a static test.

You should end up with elevation findings, a plain description of what was found, and either "here's the scope and cost" or "you don't need work right now, here's what to watch." Ask for it in writing either way.

Ask for a copy of the elevation readings. Even if you don't do any work, that document is a dated baseline. If you have the house re-measured in three years, you'll know for certain whether it's moving or stable — which is the single hardest thing for a homeowner to establish on their own.

When You Should Get One

Buying a home. A standard home inspection is broad, not deep, on foundations — especially crawl spaces. On any Wichita Falls home built before 1980, a dedicated foundation look is cheap leverage before you close.
Selling. Knowing what a buyer's inspector will find lets you control the conversation instead of renegotiating under pressure three days before closing. See selling with foundation problems.
PCS orders from Sheppard. If you're listing on a military timeline, you don't have room for a surprise. Get ahead of it. See Sheppard AFB area.
Landlords. Between tenants is the easiest time to do this. See the landlord guide.
You've got symptoms. New cracks, sticking doors, sloping floors.
After a big weather swing. An unusually long dry stretch or a major rain event is when latent problems surface.

Contractor Inspection vs. Engineer Report

	Contractor inspection	Structural engineer report
Cost	Free	$400 – $900 typical
What you get	Findings plus a repair scope and price	Independent analysis and recommendations
Financial interest in the outcome	Yes — they'd like the job	No
Sells repairs	Yes	No
Best used for	First look, scope, and pricing	Second opinion, large jobs, disputes, resale

They're complements, not competitors. Start free with a contractor inspection. If the recommended scope is large, or two contractors disagree meaningfully, bring in an engineer. More on that decision in do I need an engineer report.

Questions Worth Asking on the Visit

Can I see the elevation readings?
What do you believe is causing the movement — not just what's damaged?
Is this active movement or historical movement that has stopped?
Has a static plumbing test been done, and should one be?
What pier type are you proposing and why that one for my soil?
What exactly does the warranty cover, and is it transferable to a buyer?
Does this estimate include cosmetic repair? Drainage work? Landscaping restoration?
Are you licensed and insured, and can I see the certificate?

A contractor who answers all eight clearly and in writing is one you can work with.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the inspection really free, with no catch?

Yes. The contractor covers the visit because some inspections turn into jobs. You're not obligated to buy anything, and a fair share of inspections end with a recommendation to monitor rather than repair. If anyone tries to charge you for the initial inspection after we've matched you, tell us.

How long does the inspection take?

Typically 45 to 90 minutes for a single-family home. Longer if there's a crawl space to get into or the house is large. You should plan to be home so you can point out what's been bothering you and hear the findings directly.

How soon can someone come out?

Usually within a few days, and often the same week. Spring and late summer are the busiest stretches here — those are the seasons when clay movement is most dramatic and phones ring hardest.

Will I be pressured to sign something on the spot?

You shouldn't be, and high-pressure same-day-discount tactics are a legitimate reason to walk. Take the written estimate, sit with it, get a second one. Any contractor confident in their work will still be there next week at the same price.

Do you inspect commercial buildings and rentals?

Yes to both. Rentals and small commercial buildings are inspected the same way. For larger commercial properties an engineer is usually involved from the outset — see commercial foundation repair.

Cities We Serve in and Around Wichita County

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Fill this out and a licensed foundation contractor serving Wichita County will call you within 1 business hour. There is no charge and no obligation.

Answer three quick questions. We'll match you with a licensed Wichita County foundation contractor within 1 business hour.

Do not fill this out

1. What are you seeing? Cracks in walls, brick, or drywall Uneven, sloping, or bouncy floors Doors or windows sticking Gaps around doors, windows, or trim Buying or selling — need an inspection Not sure yet

2. About the property Property type City Foundation type (if you know)

3. Where should the contractor reach you? Full name Phone Email Anything else? (optional)

No cost, no obligation, no pressure. By submitting you agree we may share your details with a licensed contractor in your area so they can contact you about your project. Prefer to talk now? Call (940) 353-6036.

Free Foundation Inspection in Wichita County

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