Pier and Beam
At Alliance, we charge a modest additional fee to inspect pier and beam foundations. There are multiple reasons that we do this.
- First, an inspection of a pier and beam foundation requies that our inspector crawl under your house for the inspection. By law, this requires a minimum of 18 inches of clearance before we may attempt to proceed.
- The environment is poor under the house. There is no flooring, just the dirt that your structure was built upon. There is no light and very little air circulation. The inspector must crawl on the dirt to make the inspection. There is no room to sit up.
- Many builders will leave trash, nails and broken bottles under the house when it is under construction instead of cleaning up before putting the flooring in place. This makes a very hazardous environment in which to crawl in the dark.
- Frequently, insects prefer to take up residence under your house. Spiders particularly like the area when they can get in.
- At times, small animals take up residence under your house. There is always danger present when animals are present.
- Inspecting the crawl space is necessary for a proper inspection, but it is a slow, laborious process. To be the best, we take the extra time and perform the inspection properly.