I'm considering buying a building lot. the lot has an existing poured concrete foundation on it that was poured 10 years ago but has never been built on. it has been backfilled and was inspected and ok'd to pour and ok'd to backfill 10 years ago by the town's building official. they did not pour the slab floor, it is filled with rock up to the footings. I know the contractor that poured the foundation is a very reputable company with an excellent reputation. I'm concerned that because it has not been built on and no framing to hold it out, that the walls may have become compromised over the 10 years. question is: other than placing a level on the foundation walls to see if they have been pushed in, is there any way to test it to make sure it is structurally sound? There are two cracks in the wall, one in a corner and the other in a section that should be very strong (where there is a U shape in the wall. the walls still appear plumb. second question: I want to raise the foundation 2 feet for a finished basement. can that be done without compromising the structural integrity of the foundation?

I'm planning on having my existing concrete driveway replaced with a new concrete drive (traditional broom finish) and adding a 48" wide x 20' long stamped concrete walkway on the right side (ashlar pattern). The estimator said that because the job will be one pour, that the coloring powder they spread on the stamped walkway will blow over onto the driveway and stain it. He said there is no way to prevent this, other than installing the walkway at a later date, which he said would add $2,500 to the cost (because they would have to get another concrete truck--sounds like BS)! I find it hard to believe that there isn't some way to shield/protect the driveway while they are spreading the powder. He also said that with the ashlar pattern, there is no way to butt the pattern up against the driveway. I believe his reason was because the stamps are rectangular shaped and/or because they would have to roll the pattern up to the edge and wouldn't be able to get closer than a couple inches to the driveway. I have a hard time believing that there a) isn't some way to protect the driveway while coloring the walkway (plastic sheathing?) and b) that the pattern I chose (ashlar) can't somehow be butted directly against the broom finished driveway. Can someone with expertise in this area or a homeowner with similar project chime in with their experience?