Long wet seasons
Most of Portland’s rain falls between fall and spring. Saturated soil, clogged gutters and downspouts that empty next to the foundation push water toward footings and crawlspaces.
Structural Assessments
Structural Assessments in Portland & Lake Oswego
Paid, hands-on assessments by experienced builders. We look at your foundation, framing, roof framing and decks, then tell you plainly what’s cosmetic, what’s maintenance and what’s structural.
- Oregon CCB #182566
- In business since 2008
- Carpentry since 1999
- Google 5.0 ★ (15 reviews)
- Yelp 5.0 ★ (8 reviews)
- Licensed, bonded & insured
Overview
We don’t just build and remodel. We help you protect the house you already own.
A crack in the basement, a door that suddenly sticks, a porch that looks tired: most homeowners don’t know whether it’s a weekend fix or a serious problem. Our assessments give you the facts about your home’s true condition before you make a big investment.
Book one if you want to know the state of the whole house, avoid expensive surprises during a remodel, plan future repairs, protect resale value, or simply stop worrying about safety.
Every assessment is a paid, visual assessment by experienced builders. You get a photo report with prioritized recommendations, so you know what to fix now, what can wait and what to keep an eye on.
Hands-on, builder-led assessments
Every assessment starts with a hands-on visit from an experienced builder. We build structures every day and stay current on Oregon building codes, so we can tell a real structural issue from a maintenance item.
If we find a structural problem, we bring in our engineer at BSM Engineering to design the fix, and we handle the repair.
Is it worth a look?
Warning signs to watch for
General guidance, not a diagnosis. One sign on its own is often cosmetic or seasonal. Several together, or signs that keep getting worse, are worth an assessment.
Foundation cracks that grow
Horizontal or stair-step cracks, cracks wider at one end, or edges that no longer line up.
Doors and windows that stick
New sticking, doors that won’t latch, or tapered gaps above a door or window.
Sloping or bouncy floors
A marble rolls, floors dip toward the middle of the house, or feel springy underfoot.
Drywall and trim cracks
Diagonal cracks from the corners of doors and windows, or trim pulling away from walls and ceilings.
Water in the crawlspace or basement
Standing water after rain, damp soil, white mineral deposits on concrete, or a musty smell.
Porch, deck or balcony movement
Posts sitting in water, soft or rotted wood, loose connections, or a deck that sways.
Sagging ceilings or roof lines
A dip along the ridge, buckled ceiling boards, or ceilings that bow between supports.
Leaning chimney or walls
A chimney pulling away from the house, or retaining walls that lean or bulge.
A big project coming up
Before solar panels, a remodel, an addition or premium finishes, check what they’ll sit on.
If you see active movement, new large cracks or anything that feels unsafe, call us at (971) 242-4048.
Local conditions
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Why Portland homes move, crack and rot
Silty, clay-rich soils
Many neighborhoods sit on fine silts and clays that soften and swell when wet and shrink in dry summers. That seasonal cycle can open cracks and let parts of a house settle unevenly.
West Hills & Lake Oswego slopes
Hillside lots carry extra load on downhill foundations, retaining walls and decks. Slopes also concentrate runoff, and some areas have a history of slides and slow soil creep.
Older houses, many remodels
A lot of local homes were built long before current codes, then remodeled more than once. Removed walls, undersized beams and wood that has sat in moisture for decades are common finds.
What we check
What’s included
What we cover depends on the package you choose (see pricing below). The whole-home package covers all of it.
001
Attic framing & solar load
A structural look at the attic framing and the load path down to the foundation before solar panels or other added weight go on.
002
Foundation & crawlspace
Checks for movement, cracks and moisture in the foundation and crawlspace.
003
Crack mapping & movement
We map cracks and movement so you can see the pattern, not just one crack.
004
Drainage & moisture
Where water goes around the house, and the risk of water getting in.
005
Decks, balconies & exterior
Connections, supports, rot and moisture damage, including balconies that are also a porch ceiling.
006
Hidden risk zones
Spots that tend to cause expensive surprises later, flagged before you invest.
007
Photo report
A written photo report with prioritized recommendations. Solar and foundation reviews include cost estimates or an action plan.
008
Engineering when needed
If a repair needs engineering, you work directly with our engineer at BSM Engineering. Engineering is billed separately by BSM Engineering.
How it works
From first call to clear answers
- 001
Quick phone call
Tell us what you’re seeing and what you’re planning. We give you a transparent quote for the assessment.
Call (971) 242-4048 - 002
Book the paid assessment
We agree on scope and price up front, so there are no surprises on the day.
Scope and price agreed first - 003
On-site visual assessment
An experienced builder walks the house, crawlspace, roof structure and exterior, depending on your package.
Hands-on, builder-led visit - 004
Photo report
Your written report, with photos and prioritized recommendations (what’s urgent, what can wait, what to watch).
Photos and clear priorities - 005
Your next step
Use the report however you like. For structural problems, our engineer at BSM Engineering creates a repair plan, Aleks gives you an estimate for it, and our crew does the work.
No obligation
After your assessment
What happens next
- 01
A clear written report
After the assessment, you get photos, plain-language findings and priorities. It’s yours to keep, share with your insurer or realtor, or use for planning.
- 02
Non-structural repairs or maintenance
For non-structural repairs and maintenance items, Aleks can often give you an estimate right on the spot.
- 03
Structural problems: our engineer
We don’t design structural repairs or draw repair plans. If we find a structural problem, our engineer, Bill Marczewski, P.E., of BSM Engineering, looks at it and creates a repair plan. You work with him directly, and engineering is billed separately by BSM Engineering.
- 04
Estimate and repair
Aleks reviews the engineer’s plan and gives you an estimate for the recommended repair. Then our crew does the work: foundations, framing and decks.
Our structural engineer
Bill Marczewski, P.E. BSM Engineering
We don’t design structural repairs or draw engineering plans. When an assessment finds a structural issue, we bring in Bill and BSM Engineering, the Portland structural engineering firm we work with directly and recommend. You work with Bill directly on the engineering.
- 01We assess the house and document the problem.
- 02Bill looks at it and creates a repair plan.
- 03Aleks reviews Bill’s plan and gives you an estimate for the recommended repair.
- 04Our crew does the repair to that plan.
Engineering is billed separately by BSM Engineering.
Pricing · Portland & Oregon metro
Transparent “starting at” prices
All assessments are paid, visual assessments by experienced builders. The exact price depends on home size and scope. We give you a quote after a quick phone call.
Balcony, Deck & Exterior Structure Safety Review
Safety you can trust
For multi-level homes with decks, balconies and terraces.
- Connections, supports, rot & moisture damage
- Water intrusion risks
- Urgent repair recommendations
Starting at$250–$650
Request this review
Foundation & Settlement Review
Is it cosmetic, or a major problem?
For older homes, hillsides or visible cracks.
- Foundation & crawlspace check
- Crack mapping & movement analysis
- Drainage & moisture evaluation
- Urgent action plan
Starting at$450–$950
Request this review
Solar Readiness Evaluation
Don’t install solar twice
A structural look at roof framing and load before panels go on.
- Structural observation of roof framing
- Framing & load analysis for solar panels
- Repair vs. install-now recommendations
- Photo report with cost estimates
Starting at$500–$1,500
Request this review
Whole-Home Structural & Risk Package
Know before you invest
Before solar, remodels, additions or premium finishes.
- Roof structure, framing & load-bearing elements
- Foundation check for movement, cracks & moisture
- Deck, balcony & exterior structure review
- Hidden risk zone identification
- Photo report with prioritized recommendations
Starting at$1,250–$2,500
Request this package
Need engineering? We don’t produce engineering or repair plans. When a repair needs engineering, you work directly with our engineer at BSM Engineering. Engineering is billed separately by BSM Engineering.
Every assessment is paid. Prices are the ones currently on our website. Call (971) 242-4048 for an exact quote for your home.
No sales pressure. The report is yours whether or not you hire us. If a structural repair is needed, our engineer at BSM Engineering creates the repair plan, Aleks estimates the repair, and our crew can do the work.
Real field photos
From our assessments and repairs
Real photos from our own reports and job sites. No stock images. Annotations are the ones we mark up for clients.
Assessment: evidence of settlement at a front porch. 
Water pooling at the base of a porch post. 
A downspout emptying at the base of a porch column. Buckled porch ceiling boards, a sign of movement or moisture above. 
Repair, NW Portland basement: existing footing exposed (before). 
Forms and rebar dowels set. Poured, stripped and finished. 
New concrete stem wall with a crawlspace vent on a Portland house addition. 
Corner of a new stem wall foundation with crawlspace vents, before backfill.
Reviews
Reviews of Razumovsky Construction
★★★★★
Google 5.0 ★ (15 reviews)
★★★★★
Yelp 5.0 ★ (8 reviews)
★★★★★
“…Aleks really came through for us and went above and beyond, even fitting us in on Saturday morning… He delivered a thorough structural assessment along with a detailed report and quote that gave us exactly what we needed to negotiate…”
Erin, Realtor · Google review
★★★★★
“…He was able to complete a structural assessment and repair cost estimate in a timely manner on a house I was looking to purchase. He was extremely helpful and made sure I understood the estimate and assessment… I highly recommend his services.”
Nichole H. · Google review
★★★★★
“Aleks was highly recommended by a structural engineer we were working with… Aleks went above and beyond to help us get what we needed. He was very prompt in answering my texts/calls, he was honest about prices, and he even accelerated his process so we could get an official bid in time to negotiate with the sellers…”
Amelia M. · Google review
FAQ
Questions we get asked
How much does a structural assessment cost?
It’s a paid service. Current starting prices: a basic deck, balcony or exterior structure review is $250–$650, a foundation or frame diagnostic is $450–$950, solar readiness (roof framing & load) is $500–$1,500, and the whole-home structural risk package is $1,250–$2,500. The exact price depends on home size and scope. We give you a transparent quote after a quick phone call.
Do I need a structural engineer?
Every assessment starts with a hands-on visit from an experienced builder. If we find a structural problem, we bring in our engineer at BSM Engineering to design the fix, and we handle the repair. You work with the engineer directly, and engineering is billed separately by BSM Engineering.
Do you design the repair or draw the plans?
No. Razumovsky Construction doesn’t design structural repairs or produce engineering plans. If the assessment finds a structural problem, our engineer at BSM Engineering creates the repair plan. Aleks reviews it and gives you an estimate for the recommended repair, and our crew does the work.
Is this crack in my foundation serious?
Thin vertical cracks from concrete shrinkage are common and often cosmetic. Cracks that are horizontal, stair-stepped, wider at one end, offset or getting bigger are worth a closer look, especially together with sticking doors or sloping floors. A foundation review maps the cracks and checks for movement and moisture so you know which kind you have.
Will you pressure me to buy repairs?
No. You pay for the assessment and the report is yours to use however you like, including getting other bids. If a structural repair is needed and you want us to do it, our engineer at BSM Engineering creates the repair plan, Aleks gives you an estimate for the recommended repair, and our crew does the work.
What does “visual assessment” mean?
We assess what we can see and safely access: foundation, crawlspace, framing, roof structure and exterior structures, depending on your package. If something needs engineering, we’ll say so in the report and bring in BSM Engineering.
Should I get the roof framing checked before installing solar?
Yes, that’s what the Solar Readiness Evaluation is for. It’s a structural observation of your roof framing and a check of whether it can carry the added load of the panels. If the framing needs reinforcement, it’s better to know before the panels go on than to remove and reinstall them later. That’s why we say “don’t install solar twice.”
What happens after I send a request?
We call you back, talk through what you’re seeing and give you a transparent quote for a paid assessment. Once you book, we set a visit time that works for you. After the visit, you get a written photo report with prioritized recommendations.
Where do you work?
Serving the Portland metro area, from Gresham to Hillsboro and south to Salem, plus projects across Oregon.
Service area
Where we work
- Portland
- Lake Oswego
- Gresham
- Hillsboro
- Salem
- Projects across Oregon
Serving the Portland metro area, from Gresham to Hillsboro and south to Salem, plus projects across Oregon.
Related services
Request an assessment
Get clear answers about your home
Tell us what you’re seeing. We’ll call you back, talk it through and give you a transparent quote for a paid assessment.
Oregon CCB #182566
Call or text (971) 242-4048 or email aleks@razumovskyconstruction.com.