SOCOTEC Quickscan

Smart Foundation Management with the QuickScan

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Smart Foundation Management with the QuickScan

SOCOTEC Netherlands helps homeowners (housing associations) identify risks of foundation problems at an early stage and in a reliable way. With our QuickScan, you receive a fast and standardized assessment of potential foundation risks, enabling you to proactively plan maintenance, follow-up investigations, or (foundation) repairs.

What is the QuickScan 

A QuickScan is an exploratory assessment in which SOCOTEC Netherlands provides insight into the performance of a building’s foundation, without immediately requiring invasive or destructive measures. Through visual inspections and targeted measurements, we identify the key indicators of potential foundation problems. The result is a reliable risk assessment that helps housing associations manage their real estate assets effectively.

Why is a QuickScan important?

Because foundation problems often develop gradually, it is important to identify potential risks at an early stage. Cracks or settlement can slowly worsen and lead to high repair costs or even safety risks for residents. With the QuickScan, property owners gain timely insight into the condition of their buildings, enabling better planning of maintenance measures and helping to prevent unexpected costs.

Foundation risks in the Netherlands

SOCOTEC QuickScan in 3 steps

Step 1 – Visual inspection

Our experts assess façades, cracks, and settlement of your buildings to gain an initial impression of possible foundation issues.

Step 2 – Measurements

We perform tape and plumb measurements on accessible façade sections. This provides objective data that allows us to link façade defects to possible structural misalignment. This information is used to substantiate identified risks.

Step 3 – Risk assessment & advice

Based on the collected data, we establish a risk profile: low, medium, or high. For each scenario, we recommend the next steps and provide a course of action for the building owner: no action, monitoring, additional foundation investigation, or immediate intervention.

Full-service provider

SOCOTEC combines various areas of expertise to address foundation-related issues through an integrated and technically substantiated approach. From early-stage risk assessment with the QuickScan, through in-depth foundation investigations, to monitoring and advice on maintenance and remediation, our divisions work closely together to provide a complete and reliable understanding of your buildings. Through this collaboration, you benefit from a single point of contact for all foundation-related matters, with consistent analyses, clear recommendations, and expertise built on years of experience. In this way, we support housing associations in the safe, sustainable, and targeted management of their real estate.

Integrale dienstverlening SOCOTEC

 

Contact us today to request a QuickScan.

Why choose SOCOTEC?

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Technical expertise

Geotechnical and civil engineering expertise from our experienced teams

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Uniform assessment

Fully in accordance with KCAF guidelines.

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Data analysis

Integration with FunderMaps for an accurate, database-based risk assessment.

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Tailored advice

Not only identifying risks, but also determining the possible causes of foundation problems.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

A QuickScan is a method to quickly and effectively assess whether there may be potential issues with a building’s foundation. This assessment is carried out by evaluating the condition of the façade and the position of the building, identifying signals that may indicate foundation problems, without requiring access to the building.

The QuickScan is performed from public locations, such as the street or front garden, using measurements and visual inspections. This includes assessing whether the building tilts forward or backward (plumb measurement), whether there is façade misalignment, and whether cracks are visible in the façade, door frames, or window frames. Such deviations may indicate settlement or other foundation-related issues.

As of April 1, 2026, appraisers are required to include foundation risk in every valuation report. This requirement has been introduced to provide buyers, sellers, and lenders with better insight into potential foundation issues and financial risks. In cases of elevated risk (FunderMaps category D or E), additional investigation may be required to reliably determine the value of the property. This is often a QuickScan or, in some cases, a full foundation investigation.

This depends on the type and size of the property; typically, it takes between 1 and 4 hours.

You can request a QuickScan online via our contact form.

The inspection can generally be carried out within 2 to 3 weeks after assignment.

No, in principle you do not need to be present. We typically work externally and carry out inspections on accessible façade sections.

If additional work is required, such as a floor level measurement or inspection of the rear façade, a separate appointment will be scheduled with you.

Your presence is only required for floor level measurements or rear façade inspections, so that our structural expert can gain access. If this is necessary, you will be informed in advance.

For a standard QuickScan, rescheduling is generally not required.

Only in the case of a floor level measurement or rear façade inspection can you contact us via: quickscan.sms@socotec.com

Costs
The cost of a QuickScan starts from €295.00 per property type.

Payment
The amount must be transferred to our account prior to the start of the QuickScan.

Additional costs
Additional costs may only apply in the case of an additional floor level measurement or other supplementary work. If applicable, you will be informed in advance.

The report will be provided within 1 week after the inspection.

If a (potential) foundation problem is identified, the report will also include a recommended course of action for the property owner.

The required follow-up actions or the impact of the results can be discussed with your appraiser, real estate agent, or financial advisor.

This depends on the results of the QuickScan and discussions with your appraiser, real estate agent, or financial advisor.

Quickscan

QuickScan: The fast and efficient research method

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Foundation risk