What Should Come First Series: Home Remodel or Foundation Repair?

We were recently approached with a question we thought was intriguing enough to write about to kick off our “What Should Come First” series.

A Kansas City couple has lived in the same home for over 30 years. This is where they raised a family, and recently celebrated the birth of their grandchildren. They are thinking about finishing their basement to have more space for entertaining grandkids and hosting family gatherings.

On the other hand, they are worried about whether they should first make crucial repairs while they are still working full-time, as they don’t want to be saddled with an expensive surprise during retirement. They’ve recently noticed water in the basement, and they are worried. They are also seeing other signs of concern such as cracks in the basement walls. Because this is a key space they want to remodel, so they know they need to have an expert come take a look as they weren’t able to find clear answers online.

PierMagic, local, reputable experts in foundation repair in Kansas City, considers the pros and cons of a remodel when there is also a need for basement foundation repair, and provides advice for this couple looking to enjoy their home for the years to come as well as receive a major return on investment if and when they decide to sell.

Understandable Reasons for Remodeling

Our Kansas City couple deserves to enjoy this next phase of life. A remodel will put their home equity to work. A remodeled basement would also be a perfect fit for the babysitting they are going to be doing for their two new grandchildren. 

This couple imagines turning their unfinished basement into a playroom. They also are planning a guest suite with a full bath. They know that if they include an egress window in the basement, they can legally have a new bedroom, which will not only be great for their guests, but adds value to the home. They are also excited about the possibility of more storage they can keep dry. The upcoming family reunion will bring family members from all over the Midwest, and they want to be able to host some of their guests as well as show off their remodel.

The couple also thinks that remodeling, if they do decide to sell the home down the road, would be a good move for when it goes on the market, thereby increasing their return on investment.

The Logic of Starting with Foundation Repair

Smartly, however, they decided to also call trustworthy, professional foundation repair experts in Kansas City to check out their property for a free foundation inspection and estimate. 

The concerns the couple had about the basement were valid: there were multiple horizontal cracks in the basement walls, and one of these walls was tilting inward. 

Given that this house is in the Midwest - which is an area susceptible to soil expansion - our professionals determined that home foundation repair was needed. 

When the soil around the foundation of a home absorbs water, it begins to expand, and that expansion puts pressure on the foundation’s walls. The tilting our experts noticed, as well as horizontal cracks, are two indicators that soil expansion is affecting the integrity of the home’s foundation. 

Upon checking the first and second floor, cracks were also found around windows and doors on both floors, which also can be an indicator of a foundation issue - or settling, at the very least.

Foundation repair is necessary in this case, and so the couple has to decide whether to be proactive about the basement now, or – because the issue hasn’t caused them any real trouble yet – push it off until a later time, and focus on the exciting remodel.

Our Experts Weigh In On What Comes First: Remodel or Foundation Repair

If you’re following along at home, you may have come up with the same answer we did. The foundation repair can’t be put off, especially if a remodel is taking place in an area of the home where there are already signs of trouble. If there are foundation issues in your basement, a remodel could be ruined by those growing problems.

Foundation repair, in most cases, needs to come before a remodel. Otherwise, if water continues to get into the home where the remodeling has been done, the new construction, installation, interior design work, and furnishings are in jeopardy. It is better to fix the foundation while the basement is still a work-in-progress. 

Fortunately, this is not bad news for this couple. Concrete foundation repair can add as much value to a home as a remodel. A homebuyer, their realtor, and hired inspector will be looking for evidence of foundation issues when they are considering putting in an offer. The condition of a home’s foundation is a key aspect homebuyers want to know about. A homebuyer may be wowed by a newly remodeled guest suite and bathroom this couple is planning, but they are likely to question their offer, if there are major underlying expenses. 

Therefore, foundation repair is as important as a remodel when it comes to investing in your home. The sensible choice for this Kansas City couple is to start with the foundation.

Recommended Next Steps from the Home Foundation Repair Experts at PierMagic

The couple did not need to search around for foundation repair in Kansas City, thanks to the free inspection provided by PierMagic. PierMagic was able to make an assessment of the home and offer their services to fix the cracks in the basement walls as well as the wall tilt. 

PierMagic and the client discussed a number of options for home foundation repair as well as basement waterproofing before a remodel can begin. 

Now, this couple can focus on the fun part - the remodel - and they can look forward to hosting their grandkids and family regularly without fear of a larger foundation issue ruining their hard work. 

Get in touch with us today to get your questions answered about your home or commercial property’s foundation by calling (816) 765-4800. You can also send us a message online, and request a free quote. 

We look forward to helping you take care of your home, so you can take care of what matters most to you.