Up to forty thousand Canterbury homes could be sitting on damaged ring rubble foundations, according to licenced foundations specialist Bevan Craig.
Prior to 1968 thousands of Christchurch homes were built upon foundations made up of river stones, quarry and brick rubble and sand.
They were then simply filled with cement.
Bevan Craig tells his clients to avoid buying ring rubble foundation homes in favour of modern homes, to ensure peace of mind.
Mr Craig questions whether the foundations are structurally sound after they have cracked, fearing that repairs won’t hold if there’s another big quake, meaning a potential repair bill in the billions.
Massey University insurance lecturer Dr Michael Naylor says the government could be in for a rude shock.
“It would completely blow the government budget, what they want are answers to those question and what are the other potential liabilities. In terms of treasury they need to have something in their books saying this is possible," he says.
Earthquake commission minister Megan Woods says the government is prepared.
"Of course the government is ready, one of the features of the EQC act is there is a crown guarantee that sits behind it, so no matter what triggers the need for those re-repairs the crown has to be ready."
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