Foundation risk in the Netherlands: what it is and how to check it

What is foundation risk and why does it matter so much in the Netherlands?

Large parts of western and northern Netherlands are built on peat and soft clay — soil that naturally compresses, and where many homes built before roughly 1970 rest on wooden pile foundations. Once the groundwater level drops below the pile heads, wood rot (pile rot) can set in — a slow process that only becomes visible once damage has already progressed. Repairs typically cost €50,000 to €150,000, an amount usually not covered by standard home insurance. PlotSense assesses foundation risk per address using public national data on construction year, soil composition and groundwater. You receive a clear risk assessment per address, with the sources used and their reference date, so you know when further investigation is worth it.