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Foundation Inspections

Serving Northeast & North Central Florida

  • Alachua County
  • Clay County
  • Duval County
  • Flagler County
  • Marion County
  • Putnam County
  • St. Johns County
  • Volusia County

Get Answers Before You Spend Thousands on Foundation Repairs

If you’ve noticed cracks in your walls, uneven floors, sticking doors, or you’ve been told your home “might” have foundation issues, don’t guess—and don’t rely on a repair company’s opinion alone.

At 1st Choice Home Inspectors, we provide professional foundation inspections for homeowners, buyers, sellers, and real estate professionals throughout Alachua, Clay, Duval, Flagler, Marion, Putnam, St. Johns, and Volusia Counties.

Through our partnership with Noble Engineering Services, our inspections can include engineer-reviewed evaluations backed by detailed measurements and engineering analysis, giving you the confidence to make informed decisions. 

Services We Offer

  • Defect Cost Report
  • Engineer’s Cost Segregation Analysis
  • Engineer’s Damaged Truss/Timber Evaluation
  • Engineer’s Foundation Evaluation
  • Engineer’s Inspection Review
  • Engineer’s Load Bearing Wall Evaluation
  • HUD / FHA Engineering Evaluation for Manufactured/Mobile Homes
  • HUD Form 92051 Inspection

What Our Foundation Inspection Includes

  • Visual Structural Assessment:

    We inspect the home for visible signs of settlement, movement, cracking, moisture intrusion, and other structural concerns.

  • Elevation Measurements

    Using professional elevation equipment, we collect floor elevation data throughout the home to identify potential foundation movement that isn’t visible to the naked eye.

  • Detailed Floor Plan

    We create an accurate digital floor plan to document inspection findings and map elevation data.

  • Engineer-Reviewed Report

    When engineering services are required, you’ll receive a detailed report prepared through our partnership with Noble Engineering Services, including professional findings, recommendations, and repair guidance when applicable.

Common Signs of Foundation Problems

You may benefit from a foundation inspection if you’ve noticed:

  • Cracks in drywall or brick
  • Doors or windows that stick
  • Uneven or sloping floors
  • Gaps around windows or doors
  • Foundation or slab cracks
  • Leaning chimneys
  • Water intrusion around the foundation
  • Bowing or cracked foundation walls

Many of these issues can have multiple causes. Our inspection helps determine whether they’re related to foundation movement or normal settling.

Certified Foundation Inspection Partner

Through our partnership with Noble Engineering Services, 1st Choice Home Inspectors is certified to perform the field inspections and data collection necessary for engineer-reviewed foundation evaluations. This partnership allows us to provide detailed structural assessments, professional documentation, and engineer-supported recommendations that go beyond a standard home inspection.

FAQs

Is it worth paying for an independent foundation inspection?

Many companies that offer free foundation inspections also sell foundation repair services, creating a potential conflict of interest. As an independent third-party inspection company, we don’t profit from foundation repairs. Our only goal is to provide an honest, unbiased assessment of your home’s condition.

Our evaluations include a detailed visual inspection, elevation measurements, and engineering-backed analysis to determine whether repairs are truly necessary. If repairs are recommended, you’ll receive an objective repair plan that outlines only what is needed—without unnecessary work or inflated recommendations. An independent inspection can provide peace of mind and may save you thousands of dollars by helping you avoid repairs you don’t actually need.

What is a foundation inspection?

A foundation inspection is a comprehensive evaluation of your home’s foundation and structural performance. We assess visible conditions, measure floor elevations with specialized equipment, and identify signs of settlement, movement, deflection, or other structural concerns. Our goal is to provide an objective assessment so you can make informed decisions.

What are the signs that I may need a foundation inspection?

Common signs include:

  • Cracks in drywall or masonry
  • Uneven or sloping floors
  • Doors or windows that stick
  • Gaps around doors or windows
  • Foundation cracks
  • Separating trim or cabinets
  • Floors that feel uneven

If you’re noticing any of these symptoms, a professional inspection can determine whether they’re cosmetic or signs of foundation movement.

What does a foundation elevation survey show?

An elevation survey creates a detailed map of your home’s floor elevations. This helps identify areas of settlement, heaving, deflection, and structural movement that may require further evaluation or repair.

Will I receive a repair plan?

If repairs are needed, you’ll receive an objective repair plan outlining the recommended repairs based on the inspection findings—not a sales proposal designed to maximize repair costs.

Should I get a foundation inspection before buying a home?

Yes. Foundation repairs can be one of the most expensive issues a homeowner faces. Identifying structural concerns before closing gives buyers valuable negotiating power and helps prevent unexpected expenses.

What if my home inspection mentions possible foundation concerns?

A home inspector may identify signs of possible structural movement but cannot diagnose engineering issues. An independent foundation evaluation provides additional measurements and analysis to determine whether repairs are actually needed.

Can you inspect manufactured homes?

Yes. We provide HUD/FHA engineering evaluations for manufactured and mobile homes to help satisfy lender requirements and evaluate structural conditions.

Do you offer engineering reports?

Yes. Depending on your needs, engineering reports may include foundation evaluations, structural opinions, repair recommendations, load-bearing wall evaluations, damaged truss evaluations, and other engineering services.

What is included in an engineering foundation evaluation?

Depending on the property, your evaluation may include:

  • Visual condition assessment
  • Precision elevation measurements
  • Floor plan mapping
  • Structural analysis
  • Engineering calculations
  • Repair recommendations
  • Estimated repair costs
  • Engineer-sealed report
How quickly can I receive my report?

Many engineering foundation evaluations are completed within approximately two business days, with some engineering services available even sooner depending on the scope of work.

Can you estimate repair costs?

Yes. When requested, we can provide an opinion of probable repair costs to help buyers, sellers, and homeowners better understand the financial impact of identified issues.

What is a defect cost report?
A defect cost report provides an estimate of costs associated with repairing and addressing identified defects. 
This works by taking your home inspection report and creating a full cost analysis for every deficiency noted in the report based on your local rates.
What is an engineers cost segregation analysis?

An engineering based analysis that identifies and reclassifies components of a building into shorter lived asset categories for accelerated depreciation under tax regulations.

Cost segregation accelerates depreciation to increase cash flow through faster write-offs, can be applied retroactively to capture missed depreciation, helps maximize deductions before remodeling or selling, and turns existing property costs into immediate tax savings and liquidity.

What is load bearing wall analysis?

Load-bearing walls support the structure by transferring weight from the roof to the foundation, so altering them requires expert evaluation. We can assess the wall and provide guidance to ensure renovation is safe and structurally sound.

What is engineers damaged timber/truss evaluation?

Any condition that impairs the structural integrity, load path, or performance of a truss member or connection due to physical deformation, cracking, overloading, or material deterioration could be considered a damaged truss. We can evaluate the damage and provide repair recommendations.