Foundation Quick Scan: Foundation Risk Assessment Phase 0
Doubts about a home? A quick scan of the foundation provides insight.
Perhaps you discovered a crack in the wall during a viewing. Or you notice that a door in your home is becoming increasingly difficult to close. Such signs do not necessarily mean there is something wrong with the foundation, but it is understandable that you want to know where they come from.
Especially when you are about to buy a home, you want to avoid unexpected problems and high repair costs as much as possible. And if you are already an owner, you want to know whether you need to take action or if there is no reason for immediate concern.
A quick scan of the foundation can be a sensible first step. You have potential foundation risks assessed without immediately having an extensive technical investigation carried out. This gives you more clarity about the situation and a better understanding of where you stand.
This is how a Phase 0 foundation investigation works.
When is a quick scan of the foundation advisable?
A quick scan of the foundation can be valuable in various situations. For example, when you want to buy an older home, but also when you are already an owner and notice changes to the property.
You might see cracks appearing, notice that floors are uneven, or that windows and doors are becoming increasingly difficult to close. These can be signs of potential foundation problems. However, they do not automatically mean that the foundation is damaged.
During a Phase 0 foundation risk assessment, visible signs and factors that can influence the foundation are examined. Think of the year the house was built, soil conditions, and known risks in the surrounding area.
This gives you an initial picture of the potential risk, without the need to immediately expose the foundation.
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What is the difference between a foundation risk assessment and a foundation investigation?
Many people search for 'foundation investigation' when they actually mean an initial risk assessment. However, there is an important difference.
A Phase 0 foundation investigation is a KCAF QuickScan that examines visible characteristics and risk factors. It is intended as an initial assessment of the potential foundation risk of a home. The goal of a Phase 0 foundation investigation is not to technically expose the entire foundation, but rather to provide insight into potential risks in an accessible and efficient manner. This helps you determine whether follow-up steps are necessary.
A technical foundation investigation in Phase 1 or 2 goes much further. In this case, the foundation is actually examined using technical measurements, inspections, and sometimes destructive testing. Such an extensive investigation is usually only necessary when the QuickScan indicates that there may be increased risks.
A QuickScan of the foundation is therefore primarily intended to provide you with quick insight and direction.
What is included in a foundation risk report?
After the investigation, you will receive a foundation risk report for the property. This report records the observed signs, relevant points of attention, and the assessment of the potential foundation risk.
The Phase 0 foundation risk investigation is non-destructive, and the on-site inspection takes an average of 30 to 45 minutes.
Depending on the findings, one of the following recommendations will be given:
- No action needed: no signs were found that currently warrant further action.
- Monitoring recommended: there are points of attention that you should keep an eye on.
- Further investigation needed: there are possible increased risks for which technical foundation investigation in phase 1 or 2 is recommended.
The foundation risk report helps you to better determine which follow-up steps are necessary. Please do bear in mind that a foundation quick scan does not guarantee that a foundation is completely free of defects.
Curious what such a foundation risk report looks like? View the example of a foundation risk report and the accompanying explanation.
What does a Phase 0 foundation investigation cost?
The cost of a foundation investigation depends on the type of investigation and the situation. A quick scan of the foundation is generally more affordable than an extensive technical foundation investigation, because no destructive work is required.
The price of a foundation risk investigation is €249 incl. VAT if carried out in combination with a structural inspection. If booked as a separate investigation, the cost is €349.
Please note! The combination rate only applies when the investigations are carried out simultaneously.
For homes up to 250 m², a structural inspection costs €489 including VAT. Is the home larger? Then you pay €0.65 per extra m². For a combination inspection, this amounts to a total price starting from €738 including VAT.
Frequently asked questions about foundation risk research
Are you concerned about cracks in your home or do you notice tilting? Many homeowners do not know exactly what these signs mean and when it is wise to have an inspection of the home's foundation carried out. Below, we answer the most frequently asked questions about a foundation risk assessment and potential foundation problems.
What is a Phase 0 foundation investigation?
A Phase 0 foundation survey is an initial assessment of the potential foundation risk of a home. This involves examining visible signs, characteristics of the home, and environmental factors. The survey helps to identify potential risks without immediately conducting extensive technical research.
What is a foundation quick scan?
A foundation quick scan is an exploratory investigation used to assess potential foundation risks. A specialist looks for visible signs and relevant risk factors without exposing the foundation.
Is a Phase 0 investigation the same as a technical foundation investigation?
No. A Phase 0 foundation risk assessment is a QuickScan and not a technical foundation investigation. In Phases 1 and 2, the foundation is actually technically examined with additional inspections and measurements.
Is the Phase 0 foundation investigation the same as a KCAF QuickScan?
At Homekeur, a Phase 0 foundation assessment includes a KCAF QuickScan and additional evaluations. This provides an initial indication of potential foundation risks and helps determine whether further investigation is necessary.
When is a Phase 0 foundation investigation advisable?
A Phase 0 foundation assessment can be advisable if you have concerns about cracks, subsidence, or other potential signs of foundation problems. When purchasing an older property, a foundation QuickScan can also help you better assess potential risks.
Can a foundation investigation be combined with a structural inspection?
Not every crack in a home means there are foundation problems. Many cracks are caused by material shrinkage or minor movements within the home.
Nevertheless, there are situations where cracks in a home deserve extra attention. For example, when:
- cracks run horizontally in the facade
- cracks run in a staggered pattern through the masonry
- cracks enlarge over time
- cracks occur in multiple places in the home
If you see these types of cracks, a Phase 0 foundation inspection of the home can help determine whether there may be foundation damage.
How do you recognize foundation problems?
Het tijdig herkennen van funderingsproblemen kan veel onzekerheid en hoge herstelkosten voorkomen. Toch zijn funderingsproblemen vaak lastig te herkennen, omdat de fundering grotendeels onder de grond zit.
Veelvoorkomende signalen zijn:
- scheuren in muren of gevels
- klemmende ramen en deuren
- scheve vloeren
- verzakkingen rondom de woning
- loslatend stucwerk
Toch betekenen deze signalen niet automatisch dat er sprake is van funderingsschade. Sommige scheuren ontstaan bijvoorbeeld door werking van materialen of ouderdom van een woning. Daarom is het belangrijk om niet direct conclusies te trekken, maar een specialist mee te laten kijken.
Which cracks can indicate foundation problems?
Not every crack in a home means there are foundation problems. Many cracks are caused by material shrinkage or minor movements within the home.
Nevertheless, there are situations where cracks in a home deserve extra attention. For example, when:
- cracks run horizontally in the facade
- cracks run in a staggered pattern through the masonry
- cracks enlarge over time
- cracks occur in multiple places in the home
Do you see these types of cracks? A foundation quick scan can help assess whether there are indications of an increased foundation risk.
Is tilting of a house dangerous?
Tilting of a home is not always immediately dangerous. Many homes sink slightly over the years due to subsidence or changes in the subsoil.
However, tilting can sometimes indicate a problem with the foundation. For example, when:
- the home appears to be visibly tilted
- floors are no longer level
- doors or windows are becoming increasingly difficult to close
In such a situation, a foundation inspection can help assess whether there is an increased foundation risk.
What are possible causes of cracks in a home?
Cracks in a home can have various causes. Not every crack means there is a foundation risk.
Common causes include, for example:
- movement of materials due to temperature differences
- shrinkage of concrete or plaster
- minor movements of the subsoil
- subsidence of the foundation
Because the cause is not always immediately visible, a foundation investigation can help determine whether there may be foundation problems.
What is included in a foundation risk report?
The foundation risk report states which signals and points of attention have been identified and how the potential foundation risk is assessed. It also indicates whether monitoring or additional technical foundation investigation is recommended.
Can I request a foundation risk report?
Yes, if a foundation survey has been carried out previously, you can ask the owner, real estate agent, or involved party whether an existing foundation risk report is available.
Is an appraiser allowed to use the foundation risk report?
Yes, the Homekeur report includes a KCAF QuickScan and an NAFO certificate. An appraiser can use this information to assess potential foundation risks.
How much does foundation repair cost?
The costs for foundation repair can vary widely. This depends on, among other things:
- the type of foundation
- the severity of the problem
- the size of the home
In some cases, it involves a few thousand euros, but for major repair work, this can run into tens of thousands of euros.
Therefore, many homeowners first choose to have a foundation risk assessment carried out. This provides insight into the potential risk and advice on whether more extensive foundation research is necessary.
What happens if the KCAF QuickScan indicates an increased risk?
If the KCAF QuickScan indicates that there may be an increased foundation risk, additional technical foundation research may be recommended. This allows for a more extensive investigation of the foundation and determines the necessary follow-up steps.
What is a preliminary foundation investigation?
A preliminary foundation investigation is an initial, non-destructive assessment of a home's foundation risk. At Homekeur, this is carried out within the Phase 0 foundation investigation, including the KCAF QuickScan and NAFO certificate. This involves assessing visible signs, tilting, measurements, and relevant environmental factors, among other things. Based on this, it is determined whether a more extensive foundation investigation is required.
Is een verkennend funderingsonderzoek hetzelfde als een Fase 0-onderzoek?
The terms are closely related and are often used in practice for the same exploratory investigation phase. The term exploratory foundation investigation is increasingly used for research that precedes potentially more extensive foundation research. Homekeur carries out this exploratory investigation phase as a Phase 0 investigation, including the KCAF QuickScan and NAFO certificate.