9 Structural Questions to Ask When Buying a House

By Sarah Stasik

February 05, 2025

Buying a new home can be exciting, but the journey often comes with some level of stress. You might start to wonder if the tiny crack you saw in the dining room wall is cosmetic wear and tear or a sign of a structural issue lurking beneath the new paint.

This May Also Interest You: What’s a Home Improvement Loan and How Do You Get One?

Moving into your new home only to discover it's a fixer-upper after you've perfectly placed the furniture can be a drag, especially if the DIY home life is more than you bargained for. Knowing which home inspection questions to ask can help you avoid surprises after closing.

1. Has the Foundation Been Inspected for Cracks or Shifting?

You can start this process yourself during a home tour. Look for visible cracks on the exterior foundation, and be mindful of whether the flooring slopes as you walk through rooms. Other signs of uneven flooring, such as bumps in walkways, floorboards that don't align properly or doors that don't close well, could be signs of foundation issues.

Even if you don't see any of these signs, ensure your inspector gets a good look at the foundation and lets you know about any potential cracks or shifting.

2. What Types of Structural Repairs Occurred in the Past, If Any?

Ask about major repairs to the home in the past, especially with regard to structural elements like the roof, foundation or load-bearing walls. Request documentation about the repairs so you can investigate whether they were handled by a licensed and experienced professional. Be wary of DIY structural repairs, as they may not be completed up to code and can leave you with an expensive fix down the road.

3. Are There Signs of Water Damage Near the Foundation?

Look for indications that the basement, crawl space or foundation has been damaged by water. Moisture can lead to cracks and other disrepair, but it can also foster mold growth that could create health hazards for your family in the future.

4. How Old Is the Roof, and What Is Its Condition?

Find out everything you can about the roof of any home you're considering. The age of the roof is critical, as all roofing has a limited lifespan. Understanding when the roof was installed lets you plan ahead for when you might need to replace it. You may also want to ask what type of roofing material was used, whether there have been any leaks or other issues and what repairs have been made to the roof through the years.

5. Are There Visible Signs of Shifting or Damage on the Exterior or Interior?

Keep an eye out for cracks or other signs of damage on interior and exterior walls, beams, support columns and even decks and porches. Anything that looks odd or out of alignment could be an issue. However, some cracks and issues are cosmetic, and your inspector can help you figure out whether the problems you see are serious or surface-level.

More Related Articles:

6. Are Windows, Doors and Other Features Properly Aligned?

One sign of potential structural issues that's easy to check for is whether doors, windows and decorative elements like molding are aligned. If you see gaps between these features and walls or other elements, it could indicate a foundation or structural problem. Again, a home inspector can usually determine whether a gap is cosmetic or can be fixed easily.

7. Should You Be Concerned About Lead Paint, Asbestos or Other Hazards?

Make sure to ask about issues that might create health hazards, including the use of lead paint or asbestos in the home. These are typically more common concerns when buying older properties.

8. Which Walls Are Load-Bearing, and What Are Their Conditions?

Knowing which walls are load-bearing can help you make an educated decision about whether a property is right for you, as you may want to plan renovations to open up rooms. By investigating load-bearing walls and columns in a home, you can also determine if previous homeowners made major changes that put the structural integrity of the house in jeopardy.

9. Does Your Inspector See Anything Else Concerning?

Once you ask any specific questions you have and go over the inspector's written report, take a moment to ask about any other concerns they might have had. When you work with an experienced home inspector, they may be able to point out small things that could become bigger issues in the future — even if they'd pass inspection today. This can help you plan proactively when negotiating for and buying a home.

Follow us