Foundation Inspection Winnipeg: Engineer or Contractor First?

Foundation inspection Winnipeg homeowners ask about usually starts with one question, which is who to call first. People in this city post it online when they find cracks in the walls and ceiling, a jammed front door, or a floor that has moved.

We are not engineers. Call [PHONE] and tell us what you have found.

Should you call an engineer or a contractor first?

A common answer on Winnipeg forums is to hire a structural engineer first, to tell you if anything needs to be done and what. An engineer looks at the house and writes down what they find, and a contractor quotes the job and then does the work. Both can help.

Some people start with an engineer when the problem looks big or they are not sure what is going on. Others call a contractor first. That works when the problem looks clear, like a step that has sunk.

When does an engineer make sense?

These are times when people in Winnipeg have asked for one.

• You see new cracks in the walls or the ceiling upstairs.
• A door has jammed and won't close.
• A basement wall leans in or has a long sideways crack.
• You are buying a house and the seller says there was foundation work.
• Two contractors told you two different things.

What about before you buy a house?

Buyers here ask whether a house with foundation problems is worth buying, and whether they would feel safe with a repair that was already done. Have someone look at the foundation before you sign, and ask the seller for any paperwork from past repairs.

What should you ask a foundation engineer in Winnipeg?

• What will you look at, and what will I get in writing?
• Will your report say which repair is needed?
• Can a contractor use your report to quote the job?

Questions people ask

Are you engineers?

No. We can't tell you what is wrong with your house from a phone call or a web page, because only someone who sees it in person can do that.

What if I already know what the problem is?

Then a service page may help you get ready to call. Start with crack repair, wall bracing or house leveling, and see our page on foundation repair in Winnipeg for the full list.

Why is there no price here?

Every visit is different. Our cost guide lists what changes a quote.

Call about your house

Write down every sign you have seen, and when you first saw it. Then call [PHONE].