I have an addition to my house that's really not up to par; it's built on a concrete pad and is sinking away from the main structure. I'm feeling a bit lost about what to do next. Should I consider fixing the foundation, or is rebuilding the better option? Both paths feel pretty extreme to me, and I'm not sure which kind of expert I need to consult for a solid plan going forward. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!
3 Answers
If your house has a proper basement or crawl space and the addition doesn't, your best bet might be to either properly support it or just remove it and start fresh with a solid foundation. If it's been sinking for a while, fixing it could end up being more challenging and costly than starting over. Just some food for thought!
Absolutely a general contractor. If your addition is sinking, it might also be good to involve a geotechnical engineer. They can provide insights into soil types and stability. A good GC should be able to connect you with the right people for that if you need it.
Thank you for the suggestion! I'll definitely look into getting a good GC.
You might want to start by contacting a general contractor. They usually have a good grasp of what needs to be done and can help direct you to the right specialists if needed. When we had a sinking issue with an addition, our GC was a lifesaver. They handled everything from digging up the area to installing a French drain, and in the end, they managed to stabilize everything. Definitely worth reaching out to one!
I'll second that! Having a reliable GC really makes a difference, especially if the situation turns out to be more complicated than you thought.
That's a really good point. It does feel overwhelming, but I suppose it’s better to resolve it properly now than to patch it up and face bigger issues later.