11 Best Foundation Companies in Birmingham, AL

On average, Birmingham homeowners pay roughly $2,749 for foundation repair, although the cost will vary widely depending on several factors. The easiest way to get an estimate for the cost of your specific project is to solicit quotes from one or more local foundation repair companies. The total price will be influenced by things like the type of the repair(s) and the size of your house.

The main types of foundation repair include crack repair, leak repair, underpinning, stabilization, and waterproofing.

Crack repair and leak repair are what they sound like: your foundation contractor will perform an inspection and take necessary measures to remedy cracks or leaks. The price will depend on the size and cause of the issue.

Underpinning, also called leveling or piering, is when a contractor levels your foundation by underpinning it with large concrete piers. The amount you can expect to spend depends on how many piers are used. The price of stabilization is also variable. This process fixes bowing walls by reinforcing them with steel or carbon fiber strips. The cost will depend on the material chosen and how many strips are used.

Finally, waterproofing is an overarching term for a number of jobs designed to prevent water from getting into your foundation. This can include interior waterproofing, exterior waterproofing, or both, and costs can vary widely. We recommend contacting a waterproofing specialist if you think your foundation needs waterproofing.

One way to protect your foundation is to make sure that it gets the proper level of moisture, especially in hot weather. Birmingham sees more rain than many places, so be sure that your gutters and landscaping are arranged to prevent too much water from collecting near your foundation. You should also make sure that you promptly identify and fix any leaking pipes or gutters.

If you think there may be any problems with your foundation, you can contact a structural engineer for an evaluation. This will run you a few hundred dollars, but the consultation can net you a list of potential concerns as well as more ideas to help you further protect your foundation. Finally, if you're building a new house, make sure to have a soil report done. This can provide information regarding how well the soil on your property can support a foundation, and can highlight any potential future problems.

Your foundation repair expert should be the one obtaining the permits. You can request that the company provide a detailed explanation of the steps in its process and to see the paperwork and permits it has assembled to confirm everything is properly authorized per Birmingham regulations.

We strongly suggest talking with your home insurance provider before starting any foundation repair project to determine what might be covered. In general, foundation repairs aren't covered by home insurance unless they're to fix damage caused by a covered weather event.

Foundation repair, particularly extensive repairs like basement waterproofing, should last a long time. This is particularly true if you employ a reliable company. By solving systemic issues with your foundation, or reinforcing critical areas, you reduce the risk of future problems.