How to find out if a foundation is OK?

8kvscdpglqnyr4

I'm thinking about buying a second hand house that's half built. The blockwork has all been completed, the windows/doors are in and the roof is done. That's it, no plaster, plumbing, wiring ... etc. I'm obviously getting an engineer to look at it before I part with any money.

What I'm wondering is, how will the engineer tell is the raft foundation is OK? How will they know by looking at it that there's enough steel in the foundation? I suppose I'm just looking for some advice and for the right questions to ask the engineer.

Thanks!

Carlow52

This is really not any different to if the house were completed and u were getting an enginners report before u bought it.

The engineer will only give u an opinion based on a VISUAL inspection so the fact it is not finished in fact lets him see more than normal.

However the normal opinion will not address the rebar issue for example because it cant.

On a side issue just be watchful for who ever u come to finish does not get into suggesting that this need to be redone etc etc: this point can be nailed by the engineer.

The final point which I don't know about is how u are fixed Homebond wise.

Good luck with it

Jimbo

It's difficult for an engineer to retrospectively certify that the foundations will be ok since the house probably hasnt had a chance to fully settle.

In most cases, the house will be registered with Homebond and will therefore have a 10 year structural guarantee.

Otherwise, it would be wise to demand the structure to be certified by the sellers supervising engineer - your mortgage provider might demand it in any case.

8kvscdpglqnyr4

Jimbo and Carlow52 - thanks a million for the feedback. I really appreciate the advice. It's exactly the kind of things I need to know. All this is new to me and I'm going to be getting help from friends and family. But it's nice to have some knowledge and not be completely green!

The house was built to it's current stage 6 years ago! No work has been done on it since. In that regard I might be lucky as the house has had a chance to settle so any cracks will be easier to spot.

I don't know what the story is with homebond - I never even thought to ask. I'll ask tomorrow.

sky6

Jimbo's advice is good advise or at least to talk to him to find out if he done an inspection. You could also request to see the receipts for the Steel reinforcing along with the quantity of concrete purchased. Two more options is to have it X rayed though expensive. The other is take core samples form the slab of foundation. You can then have them tested.

Penn

The engineer at the time of building would have most likely certified the foundations for mortgage payments. You should enquire about this and ask to see a copy of the original certificates.

Also, while your engineer will be doing a visual inspection, he will most likely be looking for indicators of damage to the substructure. Cracking in walls or the external paving etc, to give an indication as to the performance of the substructure. He should also be looking for areas which appear to have been repaired, as the seller may have repaired any such damage

willbur

AS ALL THE REPLIES HAVE SAID THE FIRST ENGINEER SHOULD HAVE RECORDS REGARDING THE CONCRET RAFT AND THERE SHOULD BE RECEIPTS YOU CAN GET FROM THE VENDOR SHOWING THE CONCRET SUPPLIER AND GRADE OF CONCRET USED AND A RECEIPT FOR THE REBAR THAT WAS USED ALL SO THE RAYDON BARRIER , HOWEVER REGARDING
" HOMEBOND " I WOULD NOT BE LOOKING AT THAT F? LOT FOR PEACE OF MIND JUST A FEW MONTHS AGO THEY LEFT AN ESTATE IN THE **** ,
WHEN THE HOUSE'S STARTED TO SHOW MAJOR CRACKS AND SUBSIDENCE THEY REFUSED TO HELP THE HOME OWNERS SO FORGET THEM AND GET YOUR OWN COVER