Interior condition survey
Walls, slab, cove joint, posts, beams and visible framing are examined for water, movement and deterioration.
Assessment before you commit · Greater Burlington
Foundation inspection: what you actually have
A foundation inspection comes before choosing a repair: you need to know what is happening and what evidence supports it. A useful inspection separates what was observed from what was inferred, and says plainly which parts remain uncertain.
No phone call needed.
What this service includes
A foundation inspection examines the affected area, the foundation material and condition, crack patterns and any displacement, water paths inside and outside, drainage and sump equipment, and the structure above. It should produce a written statement of the likely cause, the evidence for it, the recommended work, what is excluded and what remains uncertain. Where active movement is present, a licensed professional engineer may be the right person to specify the repair rather than a contractor.
Common reasons homeowners call
Problems this service can fix
A crack you have noticed getting wider
Water arriving in a new place
A home purchase or sale with a foundation question
Two contractors recommending very different repairs
Doors and windows that have started to stick
Sloping floors or a wall that looks out of plumb
Wanting a baseline before finishing the basement
Repairs and systems
Repairs and systems
Crack mapping
Crack direction, width, displacement and location are recorded so future change can actually be measured against something.
Water path tracing
Where water enters, where it travels and where it becomes visible are separated, because they are frequently different places.
Exterior and drainage review
Grade, roof runoff, downspouts, hard surfaces, window wells, bulkheads and discharge points are reviewed as one system.
Equipment assessment
Sump, backup, alarm, discharge line and any existing drainage system are examined and tested where practical.
Written findings
You receive the observed conditions, the likely cause, the recommended scope, the exclusions and what could not be determined.
Matching the option to the condition
What an inspection produces and how to use it
A useful inspection ends with a written record. This table shows what each part contributes.
| Part of the inspection | What it produces | What to confirm first |
|---|---|---|
| Interior condition survey | A record of cracks, staining and moisture | That every wall was viewed |
| Crack mapping | A baseline for future comparison | Dated measurements |
| Water path tracing | Where water comes from | Source, not just location |
| Exterior and drainage review | Grade, gutters and wells | That outside was reviewed |
| Written findings | A report you can share | What was and was not seen |
- 01
Foundation material, age and construction
- 02
Crack pattern, direction and any displacement
- 03
Moisture staining, efflorescence and finish damage
- 04
Slab condition and cove-joint activity
- 05
Exterior grade, runoff and discharge
- 06
Structure above: floors, doors, windows and chimney
Your estimate
What is included in the plan
Evidence, not assertion
Every recommendation should name the observation supporting it, and a report that recommends a system without saying what it saw is a quote, not an inspection.
Uncertainty stated plainly
Some conditions cannot be determined without opening a wall, excavating or monitoring over time, and that should be written down, not glossed over.
When an engineer belongs
Active movement, a bowed or displaced wall, or a repair that must be specified and verified may call for a licensed professional engineer rather than a contractor's proposal.
A baseline is valuable
Dated photographs and measured crack widths make it possible to answer 'is it getting worse?' next year instead of guessing.
Already have an estimate?
Compare the complete foundation inspection scope.
Sources and Vermont specifics
What an inspection should tell you about a crack, and who may repair it
A useful inspection sorts cracks by movement. InterNACHI notes that shrinkage cracks show no vertical displacement and are inevitable and expected in concrete, while cracks with displacement can point to settlement. Ask the inspector to record width, direction, length and any offset in inches, to date the photographs, and to say whether the crack should be monitored, sealed or investigated by an engineer.
If a repair follows, check the contract. Vermont requires registered residential contractors on work valued at $10,000 or more, and their registration includes an attestation that written contracts carry the price, work dates, scope of work and a change order provision. An inspection that ends with a recommendation and no measurements is a sales visit, and it is fair to ask which one you are getting.
Sources: InterNACHI, Shrinkage Cracks in Concrete; Vermont Secretary of State, Residential Contractor FAQs. Checked September 26, 2026.
Common questions
Foundation Inspection FAQs
What should a foundation inspection report include?
The conditions actually observed, the likely cause with the evidence supporting it, the recommended scope with quantities, what is specifically excluded, and any question that could not be answered without further investigation. Photographs and measured crack widths give you a baseline to compare against later.
Do I need a structural engineer instead?
For active movement, a bowed or displaced wall, or where a repair method needs independent specification, an engineer is often the right call. Vermont's Office of Professional Regulation maintains engineering licensing and public verification, so credentials can be checked directly.
Can you inspect a foundation before I buy the house?
A focused foundation and water assessment before purchase is one of the most useful times to have one done, because it tells you what you are taking on. It does not replace a general home inspection, which covers systems well beyond the foundation.