Detailed evaluation of a home's foundation and supporting elements — identifying cracks, settling, bowing beams, compromised joists, and any signs of structural concern that could threaten the safety or value of the property.
Structural issues are among the most expensive problems a home can have — and they rarely fix themselves. Catching foundation movement, load-bearing concerns, or settlement early can save tens of thousands of dollars in repair costs and protect you from buying a home with hidden structural problems. Adam Boggess brings 23+ years of construction experience to every structural evaluation, knowing exactly where homes fail and how to spot the warning signs.
A structural inspection is a focused evaluation of the elements that hold a home up — foundation walls, footings, piers, beams, columns, joists, and load paths. Adam examines visible structural components for signs of cracking, settlement, bowing, deflection, water damage, and previous repairs that may or may not have been done correctly.
This service is recommended any time you see suspicious cracks in walls or floors, doors that won't close right, sloping floors, or signs of past foundation work. It's also valuable on older homes, hillside properties, and homes with full basements where structural elements are more exposed and more vulnerable.
Foundation repairs, beam replacements, and pier rebuilds routinely run into the tens of thousands of dollars — and the damage often gets worse over time. A structural inspection identifies issues early, while they're still manageable, and gives you the information you need to negotiate, plan, or walk away from a problem property.
For homeowners, a structural inspection answers the question every property owner eventually asks: "Is that crack a problem, or is it cosmetic?" Adam's construction background means he can usually tell the difference at a glance.
East Tennessee's structural inspection demands are shaped by the region's geology and weather. The expansive clay soils common across Hamilton, Bradley, and McMinn counties swell when wet and shrink when dry — placing constant cyclical stress on foundations and producing the characteristic stair-step cracks in block and brick walls that homeowners across the region recognize on sight. Hillside lots around Chattanooga and the Hiwassee Valley add slope-stability and lateral-pressure concerns. Heavy rainfall events drive water against foundations that often weren't waterproofed to modern standards.
Layer in older housing stock — pier-and-beam crawlspace homes from the 1940s through 1970s, block-foundation ranches from the 1960s and 1970s, and farm-era homes with rubble or stone foundations — and you have a region where structural concerns are common, varied, and easy to misread without local experience. Adam knows what's typical settlement, what's active movement, and what needs an engineer's stamp.
No. Hairline shrinkage cracks in concrete and minor settlement cracks are extremely common and usually not structural concerns. The issues to watch are stair-step cracks in block walls, horizontal cracks, cracks wider than a quarter-inch, and any crack that's actively growing or shows displacement. Adam's job is to tell the difference between cosmetic and structural — clearly and honestly.
No. A home inspector identifies signs of structural concern and recommends further evaluation when warranted. If a finding suggests active movement, load-path failure, or repairs that need engineered specifications, Adam will document the issue and recommend an engineer's review. Many findings, however, can be confidently identified as cosmetic or stable without that step.
Past foundation repairs are one of the most important things to evaluate carefully. A structural inspection examines the repair work itself — the type of repair used, whether it's still holding, and whether new movement has occurred since. Adam will document past repairs and tell you honestly whether they appear sound.
Newer homes can absolutely have structural concerns — improper grading, premature settlement, framing errors, undersized beams. A structural look during a general inspection or a builder warranty inspection is one of the highest-value pieces of due diligence on any home, regardless of age.
A focused structural evaluation typically takes one to two hours, depending on access and the home's size and configuration. When combined with a general home inspection, the structural review is folded into the overall inspection and adds little additional time.
From your first phone call to final report delivery, here's exactly what to expect when you hire Rock Solid Home Inspections.
Call Adam at 423-506-2810. We'll answer your questions and book a time that fits your closing timeline or maintenance schedule.
Adam arrives on time, walks the property top to bottom, and documents every finding with photos. You're encouraged to join us.
Within 24 hours — often same-day — you receive a detailed HomeGauge report with photos, findings, and clear recommendations.
Questions after the report? Call Adam directly. We make sure you understand every finding and feel confident in your next steps.
Call Adam today • TN License #HI0688 • Certified Master Inspector • Serving Chattanooga, Cleveland & East Tennessee
