11 Best Foundation Companies in Chillicothe, IL

On average, Chillicothe homeowners pay roughly $2,751 for foundation repair, although the total cost will vary depending on several factors. The fastest way to estimate the cost of your specific job is to solicit quotes from a handful of local foundation repair companies. Your total cost will be influenced by things like the size of your house and type of repair(s) needed.

The primary types of foundation repair include crack repair, leak repair, underpinning, stabilization, and waterproofing.

Crack repair and leak repair are exactly as they sound: your foundation contractor will perform an inspection and complete any repairs necessary to remedy cracks or leaks. Costs will vary depending on the size and cause of the issue.

Underpinning, also called piering or leveling, 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 is also variable. This process fixes bowing walls by reinforcing them with steel or carbon fiber strips, and the total cost will depend on the material and how many strips are used.

Lastly, waterproofing is an overarching term for a number of jobs designed to prevent water from getting into your foundation or basement. This can involve exterior waterproofing, interior waterproofing, or both, and the price can vary greatly. We recommend contacting a waterproofing specialist if you're planning to waterproof your foundation.

To protect your foundation, you should make sure it has the right amount of moisture. Avoid letting the soil around your Chillicothe house become too wet or too dry – make changes to your gutter system to route water away, or water your foundation if it starts to get too dry. Additionally, be sure to promptly identify and repair any leaking gutters or pipes.

If you have any concerns about your foundation, you can call a structural engineer for an evaluation. This will run you a few hundred dollars, but the engineer's consultation can net you a list of things to be aware of as well as more ideas to help you further protect your foundation. Finally, if you're building a new home, be sure that you have a soil report done. This can provide information regarding how well the soil on your property can support a foundation, and can highlight potential future problems.

Permits are needed for most foundation repairs, but applying for one isn't your responsibility. Your foundation repair provider should put together the permit and all other documents required in Chillicothe, and should be able to provide the documents and/or explain the process before starting work.

You may be able to take care of small hairline cracks on your own, but in most cases, it's a good idea to consult a professional before you start any sort of foundation maintenance. While you may balk at the idea of paying someone for a job you feel you can handle yourself, foundation repair mistakes can be even more costly in the future.

In some cases, foundation repairs can be considered capital improvements if they fit the criteria of an improvement that will add to your house's overall value, prolong its life, or adapt it to new uses. In some cases, making capital improvements helps you qualify for tax breaks. (Talk to your Illinois tax professional to learn more.) Even if you don't qualify for tax breaks, foundation repairs will generally have a positive effect on the value of your home.