Is anyone familiar with FHA inspections and the cost of repairing the below items

Question

We are purchasing a home with an FHA loan. The home is only 4 years old and passed a seperate inspection wonderfully.

First, I'll say I'm not that familiar with these types of things! But if someone can give me an idea of how easy it would be for my husband/relatives to fix, and a price range ($500 or less, etc.)

SO, the FHA inspector found 2 "problems". We need to add a gutter extension(s) and we need to fill in dirt on one side of the house (1205 sq. ft house) because there is potential for a wet crawlspace.

If you need more info, let me know. These aren't major problems, but our loan requires these repairs to be made. We are hoping the seller will fix these minor repairs, but we are willing to fix them ourselves if the seller does not.

If anyone is familiar with these types of repair, it would help us plan and budget if we knew how easy and costly it would be for us to make the repairs or how costly and effective it would be to just hire someone.

And thanks in advance!!!

Answer 1

Well, a 'gutter extension' is just an extra length of gutter pipe to help take the rainwater a little further away from the foundation.  You can find them at any hardware or building supply store, usually in at least a couple of colors.  They're simply attached by using a sheet metal s***w.  You can even find them with curves to help redirect the flow, if need be.

Here is a video on how to install them

http://www.expertvillage.com/video/54433...

As to the dirt that needs to be filled in... that really depends on how big the depression, or 'hole' is that needs to be filled.  Ideally, you want to bring the surface up so that the ground slopes away from the foundation wall.

Typically, when FHA does an inspection like this, it is the sellers responsibility to correct anything they point out... not the buyers.

Gutter extensions are easy, so the only real question is how much fill do you need to bring the slope to where it should be.  You can call a landscaper for estimates on this.  (By the way, the depressions are probably from the 'backfill' settling, perfectly normal in a new construction home, but it does need to be taken care of to prevent future damage)

By the way, there is also a video on checking the grade around the home, in the selections below that video on how to add gutter extensions.  It will give you a good idea of what it should look like when done.

Congrats and Have Fun