A homebuyer under contract for a newly built house got an unsettling surprise when an inspection found basement support posts that appeared to be resting on unanchored jack plates.
The issue stood out because the home had received a certificate of occupancy in 2025.
Here's what to know
The buyer wrote in a Reddit thread that they were already under contract for the home, which was being sold by the builder. Because the builder died before wrapping up a few minor items, the poster said disclosures were "minimal." The inspection's red flag involved basement columns said to "lack proper foundations."
The buyer wanted to know whether the condition pointed to a major problem or simply bad workmanship, asking, "How concerning it is that these columns were left on what looks to be jack-plates without being anchored?"
They also wondered whether foundation settling could explain the setup.
People in the comments said the photos did not provide enough information, though multiple users agreed the posts should not be left unsecured.
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"To have it fully evaluated you'll need a structural engineer," one commenter wrote.
Another added, "They should be secured, top and bottom."
One person said the biggest concern might be changes made to the posts themselves. They pointed to what looked like "metal wedges driven under the bottom support" and said "the mounting flanges were cut off the bottom of both posts," adding: "I'd definitely recommend these modified posts be removed and to have new posts properly installed. It's neither difficult nor expensive."
More background
Basement support posts transfer the weight of the home downward. If a column is temporary, improperly anchored, or resting on inadequate support, that can raise the risk of movement, settlement, or damage over time, even if no failure is visible.
A structural concern discovered before closing may require bringing in an engineer, reviewing plans, negotiating repairs, or even rethinking the purchase. It can also affect insurance discussions and future resale value.
Some commenters suggested the setup might not tell the whole story. One said there could be a proper footer beneath the slab, while others urged the buyer to check with the building department because plans and inspection records may show what was intended.
What can be done?
A home inspector can identify a possible concern, but an engineer can evaluate whether such columns are acceptable as installed and compare them with available plans.
The local building department may also have useful records. Plans and inspection sign-offs could show whether footers were placed beneath the slab, which could change an assessment.
Even if an installation is found to be noncompliant, a repair may still be straightforward. Depending on an engineer's conclusions, that might involve properly anchoring the columns, replacing altered posts, or confirming that permanent supports were installed correctly.
Structural questions are easier to negotiate when a sale is still contingent on inspections than after the keys change hands.
Where can I learn more?
These articles look at other cases in which homeowners ran into serious problems tied to builders, developers, or property conditions.
• In an HOA fight, a homeowner said a detail hidden by a builder caused legal concerns.
• At a new home site, residents found a developer's enormous mistake buried around a tree.
• A homeowner discovered a devastating scene in the yard after workers cut a mature tree.
• In the U.K., buyers were warned to keep an eye out for knotweed near foundations.
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