I came across a foreclosure property that has major foundation problems, including a collapsed wall in the basement. While the house appears fine overall, I'm wondering if it's realistic—and cost-effective (under $50k DIY)—to fill in the basement and support the house on a slab or perhaps a crawl space. I could relocate the water heater and furnace to the garage, so I'm curious if this plan is feasible or if I should just move on to a different house.
2 Answers
Honestly, filling the basement doesn’t seem practical. You’ll likely need to deal with electrical and plumbing that runs down there, and excavation could involve rebuilding foundation walls while supporting the house. It’s a tricky situation, but exploring better repair options might save you a lot of headaches down the road.
Filling in the basement might not be the best route. It's generally better to repair the existing foundation instead; while it’s usually a big job, a lot of competent DIYers tackle it for under $50k. It involves propping up the house, tearing out the existing foundation, and rebuilding it section by section. Just make sure you don't ignore the issues since a collapsed wall usually means the house could be facing other damage.
Yeah, I agree. If the wall is down, you definitely need a solid plan. Maybe get an engineer to check it out before diving in.
For sure! Definitely consult a structural engineer before deciding. They can give you the best path moving forward based on your specific situation.