Underpinning Inspection Adelaide

Before any underpinning work begins, a thorough inspection is essential. It shows what’s causing the problem, how serious it is, and what the most effective and cost-efficient fix will be. Every project starts with an inspection, so ask the contractor about the inspection and any cost when they get in touch.

What Happens During an Underpinning Inspection? A good inspection is comprehensive. A good contractor investigates the full picture before recommending a solution, rather than glancing at a few cracks and handing you a quote.

External Assessment Crack mapping — the contractor identifies and measures every visible crack on the exterior, noting width, pattern, and direction. Crack patterns say a lot about what’s happening underground Wall alignment — checking for leaning, bowing, or rotation in external walls Ground conditions — assessing drainage, ground slope, proximity of trees, garden beds against walls, and any signs of soil erosion or waterlogging Plumbing check — looking for signs of leaking taps, overflowing gutters, blocked stormwater drains, or damaged sewer connections that could be contributing to soil movement Internal Assessment Crack documentation — measuring internal cracks, particularly around doors, windows, and where walls meet ceilings Door and window operation — checking which doors stick, which windows won’t close, and whether gaps have appeared at frames Floor levels — using a spirit level or laser level to map the floor profile and identify where the slab has dropped or the sub-floor has settled Visible signs of movement — skirting board gaps, cornice separation, tile cracking, cupboard doors misaligned Sub-Floor Inspection (Where Accessible) Stump/pier condition — checking for rotting timber stumps, crumbling concrete piers, or rusted steel posts Bearer and joist condition — looking for sagging, splitting, or termite damage Footing condition — assessing strip footings for cracking, undermining, or inadequate depth Soil conditions — identifying soil type, moisture levels, and any visible voids or erosion under the floor What the Inspection Covers The inspection is about understanding why the damage occurred, not just documenting what the damage looks like. The contractor assesses:

The cause of movement — is it reactive clay shrink-swell? Soil washout? Poor compaction? Tree roots? Plumbing leaks? Each cause requires a different approach The extent of movement — is it localised to one corner or affecting the entire building? Has movement stabilised or is it still active? The severity — cosmetic cracking (under 2mm) may only need monitoring. Structural cracking (over 5mm) with active movement needs intervention Contributing factors — drainage issues, vegetation, plumbing problems, or site conditions that need to be addressed alongside the underpinning What Happens After the Inspection? After the inspection, you should receive:

A clear explanation of what they found and what they believe is causing the problem, in plain language rather than engineering jargon A recommendation — the most appropriate underpinning method for your specific situation, whether that’s resin injection, screw piles, mass concrete, or another approach A fixed-price written quote with detailed scope of work, timeline, and inclusions An honest assessment — if you don’t need underpinning, a good contractor will tell you. If a plumber or arborist should address the root cause first, they’ll recommend that Do I Need a Structural Engineer? The inspection gives you a practical assessment of the situation and a clear recommendation. For many straightforward residential jobs, the inspection is sufficient to proceed.

However, a contractor may recommend engaging a structural engineer when:

The damage is severe or complex (multiple walls affected, significant rotation) The building is heritage-listed and requires council heritage approval Insurance or legal proceedings are involved The underpinning method requires engineered design (such as beam and base or micropiles) You want independent documentation for your records or for selling the property Ask whether the contractor can coordinate the engineering assessment with a structural engineer if needed.

Signs Your Home Needs an Underpinning Inspection Not sure if you should call us? Here are the warning signs that warrant an inspection:

Cracks in brickwork, render, or plaster — especially if they’re widening or new Doors or windows that suddenly stick or won’t close properly Visible gaps between walls and floors, walls and ceilings, or around window frames Uneven or sloping floors — you can feel it when walking or a ball rolls to one side Cracks in floor tiles, particularly near walls or at doorways Gaps appearing in external brickwork or at expansion joints A neighbour’s home has had foundation problems (similar soil conditions often affect multiple properties in the same street) If you’re seeing any of these signs, it’s worth getting an inspection sooner rather than later. Foundation problems rarely improve on their own — they tend to get worse with each season of soil movement. The earlier the diagnosis, the simpler and cheaper the fix.

Request an Inspection Our service is free and comes with no obligation. We take enquiries from all Adelaide metro areas, from Playford in the north to Onkaparinga in the south, and from Charles Sturt on the coast to the Adelaide Hills.

To get started, send photos of the damage and your suburb through our contact form. We’ll pass them to a local contractor, who can arrange an inspection at a time that suits you.