Number of piers
Most of a slab bill is driven by how many supports go in and how deep they need to reach below East Texas clay.
01What an inspection covers
Inspectors walk the exterior looking at the slab edge or skirting, brick and siding cracks, grading and gutters. Inside, they look at doors, windows, drywall and flooring, and take floor elevation readings. On pier and beam homes, they go into the crawl space to check piers, shims, beams and moisture.
The result should be a written report with an elevation map, photos and a description of likely causes. If a repair company provides the inspection, the report may come with their own repair proposal; that is normal, but it is worth knowing who prepared it.
02Repair company versus structural engineer
A licensed professional engineer evaluation is independent of any repair sale and is often requested by buyers, sellers and lenders. Many Tyler-area foundation contractors can coordinate an engineer visit, or you can hire one directly. For complex homes, additions or past repairs, an engineer's design is worth the cost.
Texas home inspectors licensed through TREC also comment on foundations during a purchase inspection, but their job is to flag concerns, not to design a repair. If the home inspection notes 'evidence of movement', a foundation-specific evaluation is the next step.
03Buying in Tyler
Ask the seller for any past repair paperwork and whether a transferable warranty exists. Look at how the lot drains, and whether large trees sit close to the house. For a broader checklist see our post on signs of foundation problems. If water is the likely cause, drainage solutions in Tyler may be part of the answer.