Growing demand for residential structural repair services is drawing attention to the condition of the nation’s aging housing stock as contractors and property owners face increasing maintenance and rehabilitation needs.
Groundworks said foundation repair activity increased by more than 20% during the first five months of 2026, citing rising demand tied to older homes and shifting soil conditions across multiple U.S. regions.
The company also released findings from a national homeowner survey indicating a large majority of respondents believe their homes remain structurally sound, despite many reporting limited knowledge of how to identify foundation or basement issues.
Groundworks cited residential property data showing that nearly half of U.S. homes were constructed before 1980. According to the company, millions of homes built between the 1970s and 1990s are entering a period in which structural maintenance and foundation-related repairs historically become more common.
The report linked long-term soil movement, moisture fluctuations and settlement conditions to increased structural stress in aging homes.
Groundworks also noted that structural movement can occur regardless of a home’s age when subsurface soil conditions change.
The report identified elevated concentrations of older housing inventory in the Northeast and Midwest, where many homes predate 1980 and basement construction remains common.
Groundworks said Southern states, despite having newer average housing stock, showed the highest percentage of homeowners reporting structural issues that proved more extensive or costly than initially expected.
The survey, conducted online among 2,000 homeowners, found that more than one-third of respondents lacked confidence in evaluating foundation or basement conditions independently.
Groundworks highlighted several indicators commonly associated with potential structural movement, including wall cracks, uneven flooring, sticking doors and visible separation between floors and walls.
Foundation and waterproofing contractors continue to see increased demand as property owners address deferred maintenance, settlement conditions and moisture-related structural concerns in aging residential inventory.
For contractors, developers and residential property stakeholders, the data reflects continued market activity in repair, rehabilitation and structural remediation services tied to long-term housing maintenance needs.
Source: Ground Works.
