Buying a house with uneven floors may help you save a pretty penny. However, it’s important to do your due diligence before pulling the trigger. Don’t know what to consider when buying a home with uneven floors? Read our complete guide to buying a house with less-than-perfect floors.
So you finally found your dream home but it has uneven floors — now what? Uneven floors are often a sign of structural damages that make most home buyers run away. But it doesn’t always have to be a dealbreaker.
While it will ultimately come down to your fixer-upper spirit, you shouldn’t automatically discount buying houses with structural damages. These houses may help you secure a great deal on your home. However, it’s important to inspect the house thoroughly before buying it.
Worried a home might have foundation issues?
Work with a Clever Partner Agent to understand any problems you may face.
1. Uneven Floors Are Typical in Old Houses
If you’re a home buyer seeking that perfect historic or old house, uneven floors are something you’ll have to deal with sooner or later. And even if a home was recently built, as it gets older the floors will become less level while you own it.
For instance, in states such as Texas, structural issues are common due to how the ground moves.
Before running away from a house with uneven floors, you should consider that it may be the norm in your area. We recommend you consult with a real estate agent to learn about typical structural issues you may encounter during your house hunting.
2. Foundation Issues Aren’t the Only Structural Issues You Should Worry About.
When someone talks about structural issues, foundation problems instantly come to our minds. However, these aren’t the only structural issues you should worry about when considering buying a home with uneven floors.
Structural issues refer to everything that’s connected to the bones or structure of a home. Issues with floor framing, bearing walls, beams, and roof framing are other common structural problems you may run into.
Floor and roof framing are some of the toughest issues to pinpoint since anything can cause them, from the roof to the foundation or even a construction flaw. So your foundation might be perfect, but flaws in load-bearing walls cause the second-story floors to sag.
3. The Type of Foundation Directly Influences Your Repair Costs.
While you may think that all types of foundation damages are the same, that’s far from the truth. On average, foundation repairs can cost anywhere between $1,844 and $6,567.The two main types of foundations are pier-and-beam and slab.
Older homes usually have the former type of foundation. Typically, pier-and-beam foundation repairs are less expensive since your repair crew has easy access to the beams through crawl spaces and can repair damage easily.
4. Other Structural Issues May Add Up and Cost You More than Foundation Problems.
While repairing a bearing beam or wall may not cost you a lot from the get-go, it can cause long term issues. These problems are common on recently renovated homes where they remove a beam or wall without making sure the rest of the house is supported. Installing an inadequate beam can also cause these issues.
If you choose to install a steel beam on a home to repair some of these issues, it can cost you between $1,201 and $4,646. When you take a look at the big picture, these costs can add up and cause long term structural issues that should make you think twice about buying a home with uneven floors.
5. Inspect the Structure or Hire an Expert Before Buying a House with Uneven Floors.
If you notice cracks on the walls and columns, the house might have foundation issues but these aren’t the only signs you should look for. Here are other common signs that may indicate a house has structural issues:
- Sagging crawl space floors
- Beams that vibrate when you walk toward them
- Water damage
- Leaning chimneys
While inspecting a pier-and-beam foundation yourself may be easy, you should consider hiring an expert to inspect the house no matter the type of structural damage. An experienced contractor or home inspector can tell you more about the condition of the house and the potential repairs. Having an idea about the repair costs will allow you to make the right offer on the home.
It will also help you avoid ending up stuck with a home that will cost you more to repair than what it’s worth. If after crunching the numbers you learn you will spend more than the after repair value, you may consider passing on this house. You should always aim to buy homes where you will recover your investment and boost the property’s value.
While uneven floors shouldn’t stop you from buying a home, it’s important to do your own due diligence about the property. A local realtor can connect you with home inspectors and contractors who can provide insight into the necessary repairs.
A Clever Partner Agent can walk you through the buying process, and you may be eligible for Clever Cash Back. This is an actual check we send to you, even if the floors are uneven.
