How To Choose a Foundation Repair Company
You need a good foundation repair company to properly assess issues and make appropriate repairs. Do thorough research and focus on these important factors when selecting the right company.
Experience
Look for a reputable local foundation company with a proven history of successfully fixing a wide range of foundation problems. Technicians should have expert-level understanding of current repair methods and materials. Contact the company to ask how long the business has served your community.
Reputation
Looking through online reviews, checking the Better Business Bureau, and requesting local references helps verify that a company regularly provides quality work and good service. Pay attention if you see many complaints about faulty repairs or poor service.
Licensing and Insurance
It's important to select a provider that has the correct licenses, bonding, and coverage for liability and workers' compensation. In Florida, general contractor licenses are given by the Department of Business & Professional Regulation. Both General and Residential Contractors can do work on residential houses, and both types of contractors can be certified or registered. Certified contractors are permitted to work in any jurisdiction, while registered contractors can only work in the jurisdictions in which they are registered. Contractors may have to meet additional requirements to do certain concrete work.
Warranties
Look for a provider that offers lengthy transferable warranties for a minimum of a decade, preferably lifetime guarantees, to back its work. This demonstrates that the company stands behind its work and safeguards you if issues arise in the future.
Questions To Ask Foundation Repair Companies
While researching options for foundation repair providers, get detailed answers to questions such as:
- What foundation flaws did you find 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 extra work.
- What financing options do you have? Providers often offer payment plans for larger foundation repairs.
- What warranties do you provide? Reliable companies generally provide labor and materials warranties of at least 10 years.
- How long will repairs realistically take to complete? Look for providers that provide reasonable estimates.
- Can you provide a cost estimate and project scope in writing? Make sure to get quotes in writing to protect yourself from unexpected costs.
- What repairs do you recommend for this situation, and why? Your contractor may provide options such as carbon fiber, steel piers, and wall anchors. Asking allows you to compare suggested solutions between companies.
Thoroughly evaluating foundation repair companies will help you identify the right one for you. Providers that can thoroughly answer these questions will likely deliver long-lasting, high-quality repairs. Swiftly fixing foundation issues helps prevent future structural damage.
