Foundation Inspection Services in Edmonton
Edmonton has the widest range of housing age in the region — 1920s bungalows in the core, 1970s basements in Mill Woods, and brand-new builds in the far south and west. I inspect all of them the same way: I look, I document, and I tell you what I actually found. That means 45 to 90 minutes on site and a written report within 48 hours, with a photo attached to every finding. I don't quote or carry out repair work on any property I inspect.
What I Watch For in Edmonton Homes
Edmonton is a city of eras. A house in Westmount or Garneau may have a concrete block or rubble foundation poured before the war; a house in Summerside or Windermere is barely out of its warranty period. The things that go wrong in each are completely different, and so is the way I read them.
Across the city, the recurring themes I see are:
- Deep seasonal frost — Edmonton winters drive frost well below grade, and shallow or poorly backfilled footings can move with it
- Expansive clay soils — much of Edmonton sits on lacustrine clay and clay-rich glacial till, which shrinks and swells with moisture
- Grading and downspouts — the single most common thing I flag, and usually the cheapest to fix
- Original weeping tile in pre-1970 neighbourhoods, often at or past the end of its service life
A crack is not automatically a problem. Part of my job is telling you which ones are cosmetic, which ones are worth monitoring, and which ones deserve a second opinion from a professional engineer.
Edmonton Neighbourhoods I Serve
And every other Edmonton neighbourhood — no travel fee anywhere inside city limits.
What an Edmonton Inspection Covers
Outside the House
- Full perimeter walkaround
- Slope of grade away from the wall
- Downspout and sump discharge
- Parging, spalling and frost damage
Inside the Basement
- Wall-by-wall crack mapping
- Floor level readings room to room
- Beam, post and joist bearing points
- Signs of past or active water entry
The Report You Get
- Plain-language written summary
- Photos keyed to each finding
- Monitor / act / get an engineer
- Written report within 48 hours
What this is, and isn't. My inspections are observational — I document what is visible and accessible on the day, and I flag what concerns me. I am not a professional engineer and I don't produce engineering reports or certifications. Where a finding warrants a structural engineer, I say so plainly in the report so you know what to ask for next.
Common Questions from Edmonton Homeowners
How much does a foundation inspection cost in Edmonton?
$129 for a condo or townhouse, $179 for a single family home, and $249 for a large or complex home. Commercial properties start at $349. That's the price you pay — I quote it before you book, not after I'm in your basement. Full details are on the Pricing page.
How long will you be at my house?
45 to 90 minutes, depending on the size of the home and how much of the basement I can actually reach. You're welcome to follow me around and ask questions — most people learn more in that hour than they do from reading the report.
Should I get my foundation looked at before buying an Edmonton home?
If the basement is finished, or the house is older than you are, it's worth it. Foundation work is one of the few repairs that can run into five figures, and knowing about it before your conditions come off changes what you can negotiate — or whether you walk.
What foundation types will you find in Edmonton?
Most homes built after about 1960 have poured concrete. Older core-neighbourhood houses often have concrete block, and a few of the oldest have rubble or brick. Each ages differently and cracks differently, and I'll tell you which one you have and what's normal for it.
Do you offer repair services?
I don't quote or carry out repair work on any property I inspect. What you're buying is the assessment and the document: 45 to 90 minutes in the house, photos tied to each finding, and a plain call on what to monitor, what to act on and what needs an engineer. The report is yours to take to whichever contractor you choose.
Ready to Book Your Edmonton Foundation Inspection?
30 years around foundations • Written photo report in 48 hours • Typically same-week availability
$129 condo/townhouse • $179 single family • $249 large or complex • I reply within 1 business day
