Foundation Movement & Settlement
Few things are more unsettling for a homeowner than watching a brand-new house begin to crack, shift, or sink. Floors that once felt level now slope toward one corner. Doors no longer close properly. Gaps appear around windows or trim. What starts as a few hairline cracks in drywall can soon become evidence of a much larger problem: foundation movement and settlement.
Understanding Foundation Movement
A home’s foundation is meant to support and evenly distribute the weight of the structure above it. When the soil beneath that foundation changes, the entire building can move. In Colorado, this often happens because of expansive clay soils that swell when wet and shrink when dry. Poor compaction, inadequate drainage, or missing sub-surface supports only make the problem worse. As moisture levels fluctuate seasonally, parts of the foundation lift while others settle, creating uneven stress that cracks slabs, distorts framing, and separates walls from ceilings.
How It Happens
In many construction projects, builders rush to pour foundations without properly testing or stabilizing the underlying soils. Sometimes grading is completed too close to the start of framing, or excavation spoils are simply pushed back into place without adequate compaction. Water from downspouts or landscaping then saturates these loose soils, leading to differential movement. Over time, the house literally starts to pull itself apart.
Common indicators include:
Diagonal cracks in walls or exterior brickwork
Uneven or sloping floors
Gaps between countertops, cabinets, and walls
Doors or windows that stick or won’t latch
Separation between patios or driveways and the main structure
Who Is Responsible
Under Colorado law, builders, developers, engineers, and subcontractors each have a duty to construct homes in accordance with accepted standards and local building codes. When a foundation is poured on unsuitable or poorly prepared soil, or when the drainage design fails to control surface water, those responsible may be liable for resulting damage. These are not “acts of nature” but predictable outcomes of improper soil preparation, design, or construction—exactly the kind of defects covered under the Colorado Construction Defect Action Reform Act (CDARA).
The Cost of Ignoring Foundation Defects
Foundation movement rarely stabilizes on its own. Left unaddressed, cracks widen, doors and windows warp, and the structure’s load paths weaken. Secondary problems often follow—plumbing breaks, roof misalignment, and chronic water intrusion. The cost to repair these issues can quickly exceed tens of thousands of dollars. Acting early can preserve evidence, limit further damage, and strengthen your legal position if repairs become a point of dispute.
How Hollington Law Firm Can Help
At Hollington Law Firm, we represent Colorado homeowners dealing with foundation movement, settlement, and related structural defects. We work with independent geotechnical engineers, structural experts, and forensic investigators to determine the cause of movement and identify who is at fault. From there, we guide clients through the required Notice of Claim process under CDARA and, if necessary, pursue recovery through negotiation, arbitration, or litigation.
Our goal is straightforward: to hold builders and contractors accountable and to secure the funds needed for proper structural repair—so you can protect your home and peace of mind.
Contact Us
If you have noticed cracks, shifting floors, or signs of foundation movement in your Colorado home, contact Hollington Law Firm for a consultation. We’ll help you understand what’s happening beneath your home, explain your rights under Colorado law, and take the steps necessary to restore stability to both your foundation and your investment.