How To Choose a Foundation Repair Company
Hiring a qualified foundation repair contractor ensures you have someone who will inspect the damage thoroughly and make appropriate fixes. It's important to conduct research beforehand, focusing on the factors listed here.
Experience
Look for a reputable local foundation company with significant experience in successfully fixing foundations. Technicians should have extensive experience with current repair materials and methods. Contact the company to ask how long the business has served your community.
Reputation
Spend time researching online reviews, browsing the Better Business Bureau, and requesting local references. This will help confirm that the company consistently delivers quality work and professionalism. Take note of any complaints mentioning faulty repairs or poor service.
Licensing and Insurance
It's important to select a company that has valid licenses, bonding, and coverage for liability and workers' compensation. In California, general contractors are required to be licensed by the Contractors State License Board in order to work on projects valued at $500 or more. To apply for a license, an individual needs to have at least four years of related work experience in the last decade (or be represented by someone who does), must pass both a business and law and a trade exam, and must be bonded. If an individual or business has employees, workers' compensation insurance is also required. There may be additional requirements for contractors to do certain work with concrete.
Warranties
Choose a company that offers transferable warranties of at least 10 years, ideally lifetime guarantees, to back their foundation repairs. This demonstrates confidence in the quality of their work and offers protection in case of future issues.
Questions To Ask Foundation Repair Companies
As part of your research into foundation repair providers, get detailed answers to questions such as:
- What repairs do you recommend for my situation, and why? Your contractor may consider options such as wall anchors, steel piers, and carbon fiber. Asking allows you to compare suggested solutions between companies.
- What warranties do you provide? Reliable companies generally provide labor and materials warranties that last at least 10 years.
- What options do you offer for financing? Providers often offer payment plans for larger foundation repairs.
- What foundation flaws did you identify during inspection that could be causing the issue? The response should have easy-to-understand explanations and solutions. If a provider offers a vague answer, it may be trying to bill you for unneeded work.
- Can you provide a complete written cost estimate and project scope? Getting the details in writing helps protect you from unexpected costs.
- Realistically, how long will the repairs take to complete? Look for providers that provide reasonable estimates.
Carefully assessing foundation repair companies helps homeowners find the best fit for their needs. A company that can answer the above questions likely completes durable, high-quality repairs. Fixing foundation problems right away decreases the risk of future structural damage.
