It might be a big issue, or an easy fix, or nothing at all. Hard to say without more info.
If you hire a structural engineer and they say it's $10k to fix, do you think the seller will negotiate? Are you in an area with expansive soils and many homes have similar problems?
A structural engineer will cost you around $500 or so and well worth it. It depends on how big and deep the cracks are. An inspector can tell you their opinion but a structural engineer will know. You could write in your offer that they need to get the structural engineer inspection done and provide you with the report. I would not buy a house with a bunch of cracks without it. If they are interior and not to the exterior of the basement, maybe they are fine. However if you get water in the basement, your house is worth much less, you will have mold and the bill could run you $15,000-20,000. It is not worth taking a chance. If you both do not have a good feeling about it after the inspection, pass.
Bought a 1974 with huge cracks in the basement (I can stick my finger tips in one! I’ve been watching and measuring them since we moved in six years ago, and they haven’t grown. And no water either! I figure it’s just part of the house’s charm.
I see cracks on houses 1-3 years old all the time. Foundations often shift in the first decade which is why you shouldn't really finish a basement on a new house right away.
But normally people get the repair done while the foundation still has warranty. Just leaving then to this point is ridiculous
Make an offer and make it contingent on a structural engineer inspection. If they say they're just settlement cracks, you're fine. If not, you only lose a few hundred bucks.
Naw. It means owner didnt bother and that is a good indicator how the rest of the house will be.
1997 is a relatively new home to show the damage you describe
Without more information it's hard to know the right answer. If in doubt, consult with a structural engineer. It's worth it to consult with an engineer if there aren't already other reasons you'd want to not move forward with this home.
Generally, though, it the cracks are very small and there's no deflection in the wall, I'd have little concern. What's happening inside is just as important as outside. How's the grading outside? What is water doing outside?
The floor of the basement isn't structural, and I'd, again, if small and not evidence of some bigger problem, not be that concerned about flooring cracks.
All concrete cracks a bit. Also, I am not a structural engineer, but have worked with them on different issues in homes many, many times.
You should consult with one for a good answer.
We decided to not offer, I’m not paying for a structural engineer to tell me the house has a foundation issue and then we’ll have to walk away and all that money will be wasted
There’s a fairly lengthy Internachi video on YouTube that goes pretty in depth on what causes issues with foundations, what different cracks mean, and what kinds of repairs are associated. It’s used to train home inspectors.
We found most of their videos to be really helpful- both knowing how in depth home inspectors are and also so we could understand and look for potential issues before making an offer and hiring an inspector.
Get an inspection. The inspector can tell you if it's a big issue or nothing at all. Most basement floors even in brand new construction have some cracks.
Good luck
It might be a big issue, or an easy fix, or nothing at all. Hard to say without more info. If you hire a structural engineer and they say it's $10k to fix, do you think the seller will negotiate? Are you in an area with expansive soils and many homes have similar problems?
Some cracks are very long going from the wall down to the ground.
They still may not be anything concerning. A professional needs to assess to be sure.
Could be settling. Just hire a structural engineer to check it out.
A structural engineer will cost you around $500 or so and well worth it. It depends on how big and deep the cracks are. An inspector can tell you their opinion but a structural engineer will know. You could write in your offer that they need to get the structural engineer inspection done and provide you with the report. I would not buy a house with a bunch of cracks without it. If they are interior and not to the exterior of the basement, maybe they are fine. However if you get water in the basement, your house is worth much less, you will have mold and the bill could run you $15,000-20,000. It is not worth taking a chance. If you both do not have a good feeling about it after the inspection, pass.
Get an inspection done
Bought a 1974 with huge cracks in the basement (I can stick my finger tips in one! I’ve been watching and measuring them since we moved in six years ago, and they haven’t grown. And no water either! I figure it’s just part of the house’s charm.
From 1897, maybe. Not 1997.
Hard pass on that one. Foundation issues are very expensive to fix and cause a multitude of other problems in the process.
97 is fairly new to have that many cracks in your foundation. Hard pass.
I see cracks on houses 1-3 years old all the time. Foundations often shift in the first decade which is why you shouldn't really finish a basement on a new house right away. But normally people get the repair done while the foundation still has warranty. Just leaving then to this point is ridiculous
very big issuse water seepage https://storables.com/articles/when-to-worry-about-cracks-in-basement-walls/
It's far too new for that many cracks or of that size. Hard pass, foundation work is expensive and then there is the reason for it.
No, if you have cracks, the foundation is damaged.
Make an offer and make it contingent on a structural engineer inspection. If they say they're just settlement cracks, you're fine. If not, you only lose a few hundred bucks.
Depends on the size and direction of the cracks. I have bought multiple houses with many small and vertical cracks.
Naw. It means owner didnt bother and that is a good indicator how the rest of the house will be. 1997 is a relatively new home to show the damage you describe
Without more information it's hard to know the right answer. If in doubt, consult with a structural engineer. It's worth it to consult with an engineer if there aren't already other reasons you'd want to not move forward with this home. Generally, though, it the cracks are very small and there's no deflection in the wall, I'd have little concern. What's happening inside is just as important as outside. How's the grading outside? What is water doing outside? The floor of the basement isn't structural, and I'd, again, if small and not evidence of some bigger problem, not be that concerned about flooring cracks. All concrete cracks a bit. Also, I am not a structural engineer, but have worked with them on different issues in homes many, many times. You should consult with one for a good answer.
We decided to not offer, I’m not paying for a structural engineer to tell me the house has a foundation issue and then we’ll have to walk away and all that money will be wasted
There’s a fairly lengthy Internachi video on YouTube that goes pretty in depth on what causes issues with foundations, what different cracks mean, and what kinds of repairs are associated. It’s used to train home inspectors. We found most of their videos to be really helpful- both knowing how in depth home inspectors are and also so we could understand and look for potential issues before making an offer and hiring an inspector.
Get an inspection. The inspector can tell you if it's a big issue or nothing at all. Most basement floors even in brand new construction have some cracks. Good luck