11 Best Foundation Companies in Los Altos, CA

On average, Los Altos homeowners pay roughly $3,286 for foundation repair, although the actual cost will vary widely depending on several factors. The fastest way to get an estimate for the cost of your specific job is to get quotes from one or more local foundation repair companies. Your total cost will be affected by things like the size of your house and type of repair(s) needed.

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 repair expert will perform an inspection and take necessary measures to remedy cracks or leaks. The price will depend on the size and cause of the problem.

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 varies similarly. This process reinforces bowing walls with carbon fiber or steel strips, and the cost will depend on the material chosen and how many strips are used.

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

If you're constructing a new house, make sure that a soil report is completed. A soil report will contain information regarding how well your soil can support a foundation, and can provide you with a heads-up about potential future problems. If you have concerns about an existing home, for a few hundred dollars, you can get an inspection and report by a structural engineer. The engineer can point you to any issues that could use some attention, and advise you on how to avoid future problems.

It's also important that the moisture around your foundation is appropriate, particularly when the weather gets hot. The weather in Los Altos tends to be very dry, which means that at times you may need to water your soil and foundation. Also, be on the lookout for leaky pipes or gutters, so you can get them repaired promptly.

Your foundation repair professional should be the one obtaining the permits. You can ask the company to provide a detailed explanation of its process and to see the permits and paperwork it has acquired to ensure everything is properly authorized per Los Altos regulations.

Generally, foundation repairs will have a positive effect on your home's value. In some cases, foundation repairs may be considered a capital improvement, which might help you qualify for tax breaks. Generally, a capital improvement is defined as one that adds to a home's overall market value, prolongs its life, or adapts it to new uses. Contact your California tax professional for the most accurate information.

Foundation repairs undertaken by a trustworthy company should last a long time. Some more extensive repairs, such as basement waterproofing, can be very involved and expensive, but they do a lot in terms of lowering the risk of future issues.