Foundation inspections and engineer reports
Before anyone talks about piers or anchors, someone should measure the house and explain what's moving and why.
A foundation inspection measures a house, maps its cracks and explains what's moving and why, so you can decide what to do. It's for Cheyenne-area owners who are worried about a crack, buyers whose home inspector recommended a foundation evaluation, and sellers who want to know what a buyer will find. We connect you with a foundation contractor, and you can also ask for a referral to an independent engineer.
When does an inspection make sense?
- A home inspection report that says "recommend evaluation by a structural engineer"
- New cracks after a winter, or old cracks that have grown
- Doors that began sticking all at once
- A basement wall you think might be leaning
- Before finishing a basement that has had cracks or moisture
- When you have two repair bids that don't agree
What should a good evaluation include?
- A floor elevation survey. Readings across each level show the high and low points and how far apart they are.
- Wall measurements. How far each basement wall leans or bows, measured top to bottom.
- A crack map. Where the cracks are, their width and direction, and which ones look active.
- An outside walk-around. Grading, gutters, downspouts, window wells, drifts and where water goes.
- A plain explanation. Settlement, heave, wall pressure or old movement that has stopped, and what each means for the house.
Contractor evaluation or engineer report?
A foundation contractor's evaluation is usually tied to a proposal for repair work. An engineer's report is independent and can specify the repair for contractors to bid on. For a home sale or a disputed repair, an engineer's stamped report often carries more weight. The Wyoming Board of Professional Engineers and Professional Land Surveyors has a license search you can use to verify an engineer. Laramie County also requires a Wyoming design professional's stamp on its open hole report for new footings, so engineers are already part of the process on many repairs.
What affects the cost?
The size of the house, whether a written report is needed, whether an engineer is involved, and travel to rural parts of the county. Contractor evaluations are often less formal than engineer reports. We don't quote prices; ask about the fee and what you'll receive before the visit.
Buying a house with old repairs?
Ask the seller for any repair paperwork: the pier log or anchor layout, the warranty, and whether it transfers to a new owner. A repair with records is much easier to evaluate than one without.
Where we connect you with help
Common questions
Is a foundation evaluation the same as a home inspection?
No. A home inspector looks at the whole house and flags concerns. A foundation evaluation measures the structure in detail and explains the cause and options.
How can I check a Wyoming engineer?
The Wyoming Board of Professional Engineers and Professional Land Surveyors offers a license search on its website.
Do contractors charge for foundation evaluations?
Some do and some don't, and engineer reports are typically a paid service. Ask what the visit costs and what you'll get in writing before it's scheduled.
Related services
More background: Laramie County foundation repair guide.
Leaning basement wall, new cracks, or a floor that's lifting?
Call and a foundation contractor who works around Cheyenne will measure the house and explain what's going on.