How To Choose a Foundation Repair Company
Hiring a qualified foundation repair business 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 provider with many years of successfully fixing foundations. Technicians should have up-to-date knowledge of current repair methods and materials. Contact the company to ask how long the business has served your community.
Reputation
Reading through online reviews, checking the Better Business Bureau, and requesting local references helps you confirm that a provider consistently delivers quality work and a great customer experience. Pay attention if you see multiple complaints about poor service or faulty repairs.
Licensing and Insurance
It's important to select a company that has the correct licenses, bonding, and coverage for liability and workers' compensation. There is no state-level licensing in Illinois; you'll need to check with your city or municipal government to learn about any local requirements. You can verify a company's business registration on the Secretary of State's website. There may be additional requirements for contractors to do certain concrete work.
Warranties
Pick a company that offers warranties of 10+ years that you can transfer to a new owner if you sell and, if possible, lifetime guarantees to fully back its work. This displays faith that their repairs will be high-quality and long-lasting and provides protection if problems come up later.
Questions To Ask Foundation Repair Companies
To compare foundation repair providers, you should ask specific questions such as:
- Realistically, how long will repairs take? Look for providers that provide reasonable estimates.
- What exact repair method would you recommend for this specific situation and why? Your provider may offer options such as carbon fiber, wall anchors, and steel piers. By asking, you can get an idea of what solutions a company offers and compare between providers.
- What type of guarantees do you offer? Trustworthy providers typically offer warranties of minimum 10 years on labor and materials.
- Can you provide a complete written cost estimate and project scope? Getting quotes in writing helps shield you from unexpected costs.
- 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 an unclear answer, it may be trying to bill you for unnecessary work.
- What options do you offer for financing? Providers often offer payment plans for larger foundation repairs.
Taking time to vet foundation repair companies will help you identify the right one for you. Providers that can thoroughly answer these questions will likely provide long-lasting, high-quality repairs. Swiftly fixing foundation issues helps avoid future structural damage.