How To Choose a Foundation Repair Company
Hiring a qualified foundation repair company ensures you have someone who will inspect the damage thoroughly and make appropriate fixes. It's important to do your research beforehand, focusing on the factors listed here.
Experience
Look for a reliable local foundation provider with many years of successfully fixing all foundation types. 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
Reading 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 multiple complaints about poor service or faulty repairs.
Licensing and Insurance
Only hire companies that are properly licensed, bonded, and have both workers compensation and liability insurance. In the state of Florida, general contractor licenses are managed by the Department of Business & Professional Regulation. Both General and Residential Contractors can complete projects on residential homes, and both can be certified or registered. Certified contractors can work in any jurisdiction, while registered contractors are only permitted to work in the jurisdictions in which they are registered. 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 up to lifetime guarantees, to back their foundation repairs. This demonstrates confidence in the quality of their work and offers protection if future issues arise.
Questions To Ask Foundation Repair Companies
To compare foundation repair professionals, you should ask specific questions such as:
- What repairs would you recommend for my situation, and why? Your contractor may provide options such as steel piers, carbon fiber, and wall anchors. Asking allows you to compare suggested solutions between companies.
- Realistically, how long will repairs take to complete? Look for providers that provide reasonable estimates.
- What options do you offer for financing? Many providers offer payment plans for larger foundation projects.
- What warranties do you offer? Reputable providers usually provide labor and materials warranties that last at least 10 years.
- Can you provide a cost estimate and project scope in writing? Be sure to get quotes in writing to shield yourself from unexpected expenses.
- 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 an unclear answer, it may be trying to bill you for unneeded work.
Taking the time to review foundation repair companies helps homeowners select the ideal match for their needs. A provider that can answer the questions above is likely one that provides high-quality, long-lasting repairs. Promptly fixing foundation problems helps prevent further structural damage.