The Property Brothers, Drew and Jonathan Scott, know a thing or two about fixing up troublesome homes. But even they agree that some houses just aren’t worth the effort. If a house has a major structural flaw, like a sinking foundation or other major issues, it can end up costing you a ton of money and headaches to fix. It’s better to steer clear of these kinds of properties altogether.
Structural problems are the big ones that affect the integrity of the home’s foundation, roof, or load-bearing walls. If left untreated, these can lead to the whole house collapsing. The Property Brothers came across a house early in their careers that was built on an old landfill and was sinking. As Jonathan Scott said, “This is not the house, do not buy this house.“
Structural flaws can happen for a few reasons, but if the house is built on unstable soil, like a landfill, that’s a major red flag. The soil can’t properly support the weight of the house, causing it to sink over time. You might also see cracks in the walls, floors sloping, or doors/windows not fitting right – these are all signs of bigger foundation issues that can cost thousands to fix.
Structural issues can cause massive headaches (& bills) down the road
Beyond just the house sinking, you need to watch out for other warning signs of structural problems. Cracks in the walls or floors, water damage, bowing walls – these aren’t small problems you can just ignore. They point to bigger foundation issues that can cost you $5,000 to $50,000 or more to repair, depending on how severe they are.
The Property Brothers warn that trying to just cover up the symptoms instead of fixing the root cause is a big mistake. Like the owners of that sinking house who just wanted to “level the floor out” instead of properly addressing the foundation problems. That’ll just lead to more issues down the road.
The roof is another area to inspect closely. Contractors sometimes try to cut corners by layering new shingles over old ones, which can hide bigger problems like roof rot. Ignoring these roofing issues can also add a lot of extra weight and strain to the home’s structure.
The average cost of fixing major structural problems
Repairing structural problems can cost anywhere from $5,000 up to $25,000 or more, depending on the severity. Foundation fixes alone can range from $2,200 to $8,100 on average nationally, but more complex procedures like foundation lifting can push that to $50,000 or beyond. Roof replacements can be $5,700 to $12,000 for a 1,200 sq ft home. And fixing soil issues or reinforcing walls can add thousands more.
The good news is you can avoid all these headaches if you’re vigilant about spotting major structural red flags when house hunting. If you’re not confident in your ability to do that, it’s worth hiring a professional inspector to take a close look. While you may not have the Property Brothers available, their advice is spot on – don’t let appearances fool you, get an expert opinion before buying a house with serious structural problems.
