A structural engineer's report costs $500 to $3,000 in HomeGuide's national guide, published February 6, 2026, and a foundation inspection costs $400 to $750. The report is an independent measurement of the foundation and a plan for the repair. Here is what it includes, when it is worth the money and what to ask for.
The Short Answer
For a small repair, an inspection can be enough. For a large repair, a disputed repair or a house you are buying, a report gives you a number from someone who does not sell the repair. Foundation Repair Keller TX offers a free inspection with every estimate, and an engineer's report stays independent of us.
What an Engineer's Evaluation Includes
The Texas Section of the American Society of Civil Engineers publishes guidelines for the evaluation and repair of residential foundations, and the guidelines describe the steps. The ASCE guidelines are guidance, not a standard.
| Step | What the guidelines say |
|---|---|
| Documents | The engineer requests and reviews the documents the client provides about the foundation (Section 3.1.1). |
| Walk-through | The engineer makes visual observations during a physical walk-through (Section 3.1.1). |
| Elevations | A higher-level evaluation determines relative foundation elevations in sufficient detail (Section 3.1.2). A floor elevation survey can provide valuable information but should not be the only basis for a conclusion (Section 5.4). |
| Soil | Site-specific soil sampling and testing belong to a further evaluation level (Section 3.1.3). Geotechnical information should come from a site-specific boring and testing program (Section 7.4.2). |
| The report | The report provides a record of the investigation, analysis and conclusions (Section 6). |
| After the repair | Floor elevation surveys should be taken after remediation, and the engineer should keep the records and give the client a copy (Section 7.7). |
Inspection or Report
An inspection tells you what is moving and what a repair would involve. A report adds an independent engineer's analysis and a repair plan, with the engineer's records of the work. HomeGuide puts the inspection at $400 to $750 and the report at $500 to $3,000. The price gap is small next to a pier job, which HomeGuide puts at $10,000 to $20,000.
When a Report Is Worth It
- The repair is large or involves many piers.
- Two companies disagree about what the house needs.
- You are buying or selling the house and want an independent view.
- An insurer, a lender or a city requires an engineer's letter.
- A repair failed once and you want to know why.
For permits, the City of Keller states that plans for some projects must be prepared and signed by an engineer or architect licensed by the state of Texas. Keller Building Services at 817-743-4110 can say whether your project is one of them. You can confirm an engineer's credentials with the Texas Board of Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors at (512) 440-7723.
What to Ask For
Ask the engineer for the floor elevation survey, the cause of the movement, the repair plan with pier locations and depths, and the post-repair survey. The ASCE guidelines state that underpinning plans should show specific locations of underpinning elements and their sizes and depths. How to compare foundation repair quotes
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a foundation engineer's report include?
The report records the investigation, the analysis and the conclusions, according to the ASCE guidelines. The engineer reviews documents, walks the house, surveys floor elevations and, at the higher levels, samples and tests the soil. The report ends with a repair plan. HomeGuide puts the cost at $500 to $3,000 nationally.
How much does a foundation inspection cost in Keller?
HomeGuide's 2026 national guide puts a foundation inspection at $400 to $750 and a structural engineer's report at $500 to $3,000. Those are national figures, not Keller quotes. Foundation Repair Keller TX offers a free inspection with every estimate, and an engineer's report is a separate, independent service.
Does a foundation company need an engineer's report?
Not for every job. A small repair can run on an inspection. A large or disputed repair gains from an independent report, and some projects need an engineer's signed plans. Foundation leveling and settlement repair
What is a foundation inspection checklist?
The checklist covers the floor elevations, the cracks inside and outside, doors and windows that stick, the grade and the downspouts, the plumbing lines and the crawl space on a pier and beam house. The ASCE guidelines describe a visual walk-through and a floor survey as the base of an evaluation.
Should I get a second opinion on a foundation repair?
Yes, on a large repair. Compare the two plans on measurements, pier counts and locations, the cause and the warranty. A second written quote or an engineer's report shows whether the scope fits the movement.
