Free Tool — No Email Required
Basement Wall Crack Log & Bid Comparison Worksheet
Two free tools on one page, fill in directly in your browser or print blank copies — no email, no download, no account. Use the crack log to document whether a crack is actively moving before you call anyone, and the bid comparison worksheet to put two or three contractor quotes side by side once you do. If you're not sure yet whether what you're looking at needs either tool, check signs your basement wall is actually failing first.
Why should I track a foundation crack's width over time?
Because "is it still moving" is the single question that decides whether a crack needs a repair now or just monitoring. A crack log with dated width measurements is the difference between telling a contractor or an engineer "it looks about the same" and showing them a documented trend — which is exactly what an inspection needs to separate a stable, cosmetic crack from active structural movement.
Crack Tracking Log
Measure the widest point with a ruler or coin (a dime is about 1/16", a nickel about 1/12", a quarter about 1/10"). Add a row after each check. Your entries stay in this browser only — nothing is sent anywhere until you choose to print or share it yourself.
| Date | Location on Wall | Width (in.) | Crack Type | Notes (leaking, doors sticking, etc.) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
What should I measure, and how often?
Measure the widest point of the crack with a ruler or a crack-width gauge, and note whether it is a hairline, a visible gap, or wide enough to fit a coin. Check monthly during spring and after any heavy rain, since that's when West County's expansive clay moves most; a quarterly check is usually enough the rest of the year unless something changes.
See what causes foundation settling in West County for why spring and heavy rain are the two conditions worth watching most closely. An independent inspection to formally document a crack typically runs $400–$800 — worth it once a log shows measurable growth, unnecessary while the number stays flat.
Bid Comparison Worksheet
One row per contractor. A bid missing the license number or the measured deflection/crack data is the one to question first — see our FAQ on why quotes vary so much for why that gap matters more than the price itself.
| Contractor | Method Proposed | Measurement Cited | Price (Written) | Warranty Term | License # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
How do I compare three different foundation repair bids fairly?
Put the method, the measured deflection or crack width each bidder used to justify it, the itemized scope, the warranty term, and the license number side by side on one worksheet. A bid that skips the measurement or the license number is the one to question first, regardless of price — the worksheet above is built to make that comparison in one place instead of three separate PDFs.