How To Choose a Foundation Repair Company
Hiring a qualified foundation repair provider 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
Choose a well-established local provider with many years, ideally decades, of experience successfully handling all types of foundation repairs. These companies have specialized expertise with the latest materials and methods. Ask how long a company has been serving your area.
Reputation
Reading through online reviews, checking the Better Business Bureau, and asking for local references helps you verify 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
Make sure any professional you hire has the right licenses, bonds, and coverage for liability and workers' compensation. There is no state-level licensing in Illinois; you'll need to verify local requirements with your city or municipal government. 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 transferable warranties for a minimum of a decade and, if possible, lifetime guarantees to fully back its services. This displays confidence that the company's work is top-notch and provides protection should problems come up later.
Questions To Ask Foundation Repair Companies
To compare foundation repair companies, you should ask detailed questions such as:
- What foundation defects 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 extra work.
- Realistically, how long will repairs take? Look for providers that provide reasonable estimates.
- What guarantees do you provide? Reliable companies usually provide labor and materials warranties that last at least 10 years.
- What repair method would you recommend for this specific situation and why? Your provider may offer options such as steel piers, carbon fiber, and wall anchors. Asking allows you to compare suggested solutions between companies.
- What financing options do you offer? Many providers offer payment plans for larger foundation projects.
- Can you provide a project scope and cost estimate in writing? Make sure to get quotes in writing to protect yourself from unexpected costs.
Carefully assessing foundation repair companies helps homeowners find the best fit for their needs. A company that can answer the above questions likely performs durable, high-quality repairs. Fixing foundation problems swiftly lowers the risk of future structural damage.
