A foundation inspection costs $300 to $750 on average, with a national average of $550, per HomeGuide (February 2026)2. Angi publishes a wider band: most consumers pay $300 to $3,000 with an average price of $600, and it puts complex or large-foundation inspections at $230 to $3,8001. Figures below are the latest published data from each source.
Cost by home size
Both publishers price larger homes higher12:
| Home size (sq ft) | HomeGuide | Angi |
|---|---|---|
| 1,000 | $250–$500 | $300–$500 |
| 1,200 | $300–$600 | — |
| 1,500 | $375–$750 | $400–$750 |
| 1,800 | $450–$800 | — |
| 2,000 | $500–$900 | $500–$900 |
| 2,500 | $625–$1,000 | $600–$1,000 |
| 3,000 | $750–$1,200 | $750–$1,200 |
Cost by foundation type
HomeGuide splits basements by finish level; Angi publishes a single basement row. Slab rows match across both12:
| Foundation type | HomeGuide | Angi |
|---|---|---|
| Concrete slab | $300–$600 | $300–$600 |
| Unfinished basement | $350–$700 | — |
| Finished basement | $500–$800 | — |
| Basement (unspecified) | — | $500–$1,000 |
| Crawl space | $400–$700 | $400–$800 |
| Pier and beam | $500–$1,000 | $700–$1,000 |
Hourly rates and inspection length
HomeGuide publishes structural engineer rates of $100 to $220 per hour for difficult inspections, while Angi puts inspection labor at $100 to $200 per hour and structural engineers at around $200 per hour — presented as published12. Most inspections take 1 to 3 hours, per HomeGuide; Angi’s duration table runs $200 to $500 for a one-hour inspection up to $500 to $3,000 for four hours or more12.
What the inspection covers
Per HomeGuide’s checklist, a foundation inspection includes a visual examination for cracks and damage, measurements to detect settling or heaving, a moisture and drainage assessment, checks of support beams, piers and posts, soil-condition assessment, a review of previous repairs, photographs, and a final written report with repair recommendations2. Soil compaction tests, when run, cost $10 to $1002. For new construction, HomeGuide prices a geotechnical survey of the ground at $1,000 to $5,0002. HomeGuide also notes that some foundation repair companies offer free inspections while cautioning that those companies may be more likely to recommend repairs — its own consumer guidance, attributed2.
If the inspection finds problems
Both publishers price the repairs an inspection might recommend. Angi’s overall foundation repair range is $2,200 to $7,8001. One scope note: Angi’s repair table publishes “Average Cost” figures without specifying units for its rows, so treat them as published costs rather than verified whole-project totals; HomeGuide’s per-square-foot and per-joist units are as labeled12:
| Repair | HomeGuide | Angi |
|---|---|---|
| Minor crack repair | $250–$800 | $250–$800 |
| Mudjacking / slabjacking | $4–$9 per sq ft | $500–$1,300 |
| Leak repair | — | $2,000–$7,000 |
| Piering | — | $1,000–$3,000 |
| Foundation stabilization | $5,000–$10,000 | $4,000–$12,000 |
| Foundation lift / raising | $10,000–$40,000 | $20,000–$30,000 |
HomeGuide’s additional line items: concrete slab resurfacing $3 to $7 per square foot, basement waterproofing $6,000 to $18,000, grading $500 to $5,000, drainage system $4,000 to $12,000, crawl space mold removal $1,500 to $6,000, crawl space encapsulation $3,000 to $15,000, floor joist replacement $350 to $1,000 per joist, and leveling $1,000 to $3,500 for shims or up to $20,000 for underpinning2. See our foundation repair cost guide for the full breakdown.
Permits
Whether an inspection-related permit applies depends on your municipality and the reason for the inspection, so confirm with your local building authority. For budgeting, Angi publishes a permit-fee estimate of $100 to $400, noting a standard residential damage assessment falls at the lower end and an inspection ahead of new construction at the higher end1.
Related cost guides
Start with foundation repair cost, then compare crawl space encapsulation, basement waterproofing, concrete leveling and mold inspection.
The bottom line
Budget $300 to $750 for a typical foundation inspection on HomeGuide’s figures, or up to $3,000 for large or complex foundations on Angi’s. Home size and foundation type drive the price, per both publishers’ factor lists; the inspection itself is the small line item, and the written report is what prices any repairs it uncovers. Get the report before committing to repair quotes.
Sources (each fetched and read October 26, 2026; figures are each publisher’s latest published data):
1. Angi, “How Much Does a Foundation Inspection Cost?” (updated July 8, 2026) — angi.com/articles/foundation-inspection-cost.htm
2. HomeGuide, “How Much Does a Foundation Inspection Cost? (2026)” (February 5, 2026) — homeguide.com/costs/foundation-inspection-cost