Best Home Inspections PLLC

Foundation Inspection With Best Home Inspections PLLC

A home is one of the biggest investments a person will ever make, and it should feel safe, stable, and ready for years of living inside its walls. Best Home Inspections PLLC helps buyers, sellers, and homeowners understand the true condition of a property before they commit to anything. Every full inspection includes the structure, roof, plumbing, electrical system, HVAC, and, most importantly, the foundation. A careful foundation inspection matters because the entire home depends on it.

Owner Les Thornton built his business on skill, honesty, and decades of real-world experience. After spending many years in the trades, he understands how homes are built, how they age, and how to spot early signs of trouble. His mission is simple. Give people peace of mind by explaining what he finds in clear, friendly terms. Buyers trust him because he removes confusion, provides straight answers, and helps them make informed decisions.

About Best Home Inspections PLLC

A Career Built on Hard Work

Les has worked in the construction world since 1987. He started with tools in his hands, learning carpentry, framing, drywall, plumbing repairs, electrical work, and general construction. Throughout his career, he handled nearly every type of repair a home could need. Later, he transitioned into the wind energy field, working on wind farms across the Texas Panhandle in challenging and dangerous conditions. After two near-death experiences on the job, he realized it was time for a safer career path that still allowed him to help people.

He studied inspection standards, completed professional training, and earned the certifications needed to become a licensed home inspector. In 2018, he founded Best Home Inspections PLLC, and since then he has helped thousands of families, sellers, buyers, and real estate agents understand the real condition of the homes they care about.

The Importance of Foundation Inspection

Why the Foundation Matters

The strength of a home begins with the foundation. If the foundation shifts, cracks, or settles, the rest of the structure will follow. Floors can slope, doors may stick, trim may separate, and walls can develop cracks. A detailed foundation inspection helps homeowners and buyers catch these issues early before they turn into major repairs.

Foundation concerns are especially common in the Texas Panhandle. Clay-rich soil expands when wet and contracts when dry. Hot summers, intense winds, and sudden heavy rains create soil movement. When the ground shifts, the foundation often shifts too. Les checks for clear signs of these changes during every inspection.

Signs of Foundation Movement

Les looks for cracks in sheetrock, gaps around windows, uneven floors, sticking interior doors, and separation between walls and ceilings. On the exterior, he checks for brick cracks, siding movement, foundation wall separation, and changes in mortar joints. These clues help paint a picture of how stable the foundation is and whether the home is experiencing early or advanced movement.

Even small cracks can tell an important story. Some cracks are harmless. Others may indicate growing stress. Les explains the difference in simple terms so buyers and sellers understand exactly what they’re looking at.

Stories from Foundation Inspections

The Tilted Floor

During one inspection, a buyer asked about a slight tilt in the living room floor. The seller dismissed it as “normal for an older home.” Les trusted his instincts and checked the crawl space. There, he found a support beam that had slipped off its pier because the soil underneath had settled. The buyer appreciated the honesty. The repair was manageable, but without the inspection the issue would have worsened over time.

The Cracked Brick Pattern

Another home had a stair-step crack running through the brick exterior. The seller believed it was cosmetic. Les recognized the pattern immediately as foundation movement. Inside, he found small cracks above door frames and separation along the crown molding. He clearly explained the signs to the buyer and recommended contacting a foundation specialist. The buyer thanked him for catching what others had missed.

What a Foundation Inspection Includes

Exterior Evaluation

Les walks the entire perimeter, checking foundation walls, brick lines, siding, ground contact, and grading. Poor drainage or improper slope can direct water toward the home and increase foundation problems.

Les Thornton working on a window inside a home.

Interior Checks

Inside, he evaluates drywall cracks, door alignment, window frame movement, floor changes, and tile patterns. These issues can signal how the foundation is shifting.

Crawl Spaces and Attics

If the home has a crawl space, he enters it to inspect beams, piers, joists, and moisture levels. In the attic, he checks for structural movement that may indicate foundation stress carried up through the frame.

Drainage

Downspouts, gutters, soil slope, and runoff patterns are part of the inspection. Poor drainage is one of the leading causes of foundation damage.

Clear Reports and Easy Explanations

Les writes reports in plain language with photos and clear descriptions. He explains what the issue is, why it matters, and what steps may be needed. Most clients appreciate how he separates minor cosmetic concerns from real foundation movement.

A Helpful Walkthrough

At the end of many inspections, Les walks the property with the client to explain findings and answer questions. This reduces stress and provides clarity during the buying or selling process.

Experiences from the Field

The Door That Would Not Latch

A buyer thought a sticking door was a minor carpenter issue. Les traced it to foundation settlement in one corner of the home. The discovery helped the buyer negotiate repairs.

The Uneven Tile Line

In another home, a line of cracked tile suggested foundation movement. A quick inspection under the home confirmed a shifted support beam.

Les Thornton working on a breaker outside of a home.

Why Clients Trust Best Home Inspections PLLC

Real, hands-on experience, not guesswork
Local knowledge of Panhandle soil and weather
Calm, honest communication with no scare tactics

Call Best Home Inspections PLLC

Schedule Your Foundation Inspection Today

If you want a clear, complete picture of a home, Best Home Inspections PLLC is ready to help. Every full inspection includes a foundation review, roof check, plumbing rundown, electrical safety check, and HVAC evaluation.

Contact Best Home Inspections PLLC today and move forward with confidence.