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
Choose a well-established local provider with extensive experience successfully completing all kinds of foundation repairs. These providers have specialized expertise using the latest materials and methods. Ask how long a company has been serving your area.
Reputation
Spend time researching online reviews, browsing the Better Business Bureau, and requesting local references. This will help verify that the company consistently delivers good workmanship and great customer service. Take note of complaints describing faulty repairs or poor service.
Licensing and Insurance
Choose a company that has valid licenses, bonds, and coverage plans 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 relevant work experience in the last ten years (or be represented by someone who does), must pass both a law and business and a trade exam, and must be bonded. Individuals or businesses that have employees must also have workers' compensation insurance. There may be additional requirements for contractors to do certain work with concrete.
Warranties
Choose a provider that offers long transferable warranties of at least a decade, ideally lifetime guarantees, to fully back their foundation repairs. This demonstrates that they stand behind the quality of their repairs and offers protection if future issues arise.
Questions To Ask Foundation Repair Companies
To compare foundation repair providers, you should ask specific questions such as:
- How long will repairs realistically take to complete? Look for providers that provide reasonable estimates.
- What repair method do you recommend for my specific situation and why? Your provider may offer options such as wall anchors, steel piers, and carbon fiber. Asking allows you to compare suggested solutions between companies.
- What financing options do you offer? Providers often offer payment plans for larger foundation repairs.
- Can you provide a project scope and cost estimate in writing? Be sure to get quotes in writing to shield yourself from unexpected costs.
- What warranties do you provide? Reputable providers typically provide labor and materials warranties for at least 10 years.
- What do you see as the likely cause of my issues based on your inspection? Look for clear explanations and solutions in the answer. Companies that provide vague answers may be trying to bill you for extra work.
Carefully reviewing foundation repair companies will help you select the right one for you. Providers that can thoroughly answer these questions will likely provide long-lasting, high-quality repairs. Promptly addressing foundation issues helps avoid future structural damage.
