Foundation question (houses, neighborhood, to buy)

[homebyer]

I saw one house in UP build in 1990
It has so called " Piered Beam Slab" foundation
I assume that Pier and Beam is better.
Any thoughts?

[loves2read]

if done correctly a piered beam slab is supposed to be better in bad soil than a post tension slab
it costs more to install which is one reason most builders don't use it for spec homes--
the home you are looking at is likely one that started as "custom build"
but since it is in UP--there might be more homes built with piered beam just because they are more expensive to start with

[neworchid]

In looking at existing homes with "piered beam slab" noted by the agent on the MLS, we'd like to know - will the fact that it has "piered beam slab" be in some official property record? Also, how do we verify who the builder was and who the structural engineer was who signed off on the design - do those things get recorded somewhere?

[nsumner]

Originally Posted by neworchid

In looking at existing homes with "piered beam slab" noted by the agent on the MLS, we'd like to know - will the fact that it has "piered beam slab" be in some official property record? Also, how do we verify who the builder was and who the structural engineer was who signed off on the design - do those things get recorded somewhere?

It is typically documentation you receive from the seller. I have run into a few homes in the Park Cities that were advertized as having piered slab but during the inspection we found out it was actually just a slab or a couple of piers were added much later because the foundation had failed in a part of the home.

Do your due dilligence and make sure you get all the documentation.

Naima

[neworchid]

That's what we're concerned about - misinformed sellers/agents with incorrect information. Is the foundation type going to be in some official/public property record so that we know with certainty what foundation the property has?

[WorldKlas]

you will need the builder's blueprints to know for sure. In my neighborhood, several of the houses with piered slabs have had foundation work. Find out who the builder is, at least that's a start.

[escanlan]

Originally Posted by neworchid

In looking at existing homes with "piered beam slab" noted by the agent on the MLS, we'd like to know - will the fact that it has "piered beam slab" be in some official property record? Also, how do we verify who the builder was and who the structural engineer was who signed off on the design - do those things get recorded somewhere?

Depending on the age of the home and its location you can try pulling the building permits for the home first to see if it indicates any of the information you are looking for. Some cities do have online building permit access. You can also make a visit to the City Building Inspections Department for the permits and see what their retention period is for documentation on home builds. Some keep all documentation including Engineering records for the foundation. Again of course the older the home the less chance that the documentation is still available.

For who the builder was you might try looking at the tax role data to see if they provide a history of ownership which most times will display who the builder was.

[Restrain]

Look at the home. Is there cracking, doors that don't shut, etc. Indicators of settlement. Look around the front porch, patio slab. Are there signs of a 2x2 different concrete, aged differently? Evidence that there was piercing of the foundation subsequent to the construction.

If a question, hire an engineer and get an opinion.

[GreyDay]

If you're looking at the house to buy, the sellers should disclose any issues/repairs they've had done on the foundation. Usually they will have an engineer's report. I'd be a bit wary if they just had a foundation company alone do the repair.


Plenty of homes can shift and settle a little, so I wouldn't go crazy over isolated cracks and such. Also cracks can be the cause of shims crushing or framing issues in homes. Any doubt, get your own engineering report.

For obvious reasons, esp. in PC, Pier and Beam construction is much desired.