11 Best Foundation Companies in Elgin, IL

On average, Elgin homeowners pay about $3,032 for foundation repair, although the actual cost will depend on several factors. The easiest way to estimate the cost of your specific project is to request quotes from one or more local foundation repair companies. The amount you pay for a job will be determined by things like the type of the repair(s) and the size of your house.

Types of foundation repair include leak repair, crack repair, stabilization, underpinning, and waterproofing.

For both leak repair and crack repair, a technician will come to your home, perform an inspection, and use various measures to remedy leaks or cracks. The amount you spend can vary greatly depending on the size and root cause of the issue.

Stabilization is the process of fixing bowing walls by inserting steel or carbon fiber strips. The cost will depend on the material used and how many strips are required. The cost of underpinning also varies. This process, sometimes referred to as leveling or piering, involves leveling your foundation by underpinning it with concrete piers; the cost is based on how many piers are needed.

If you're looking to waterproof your foundation or basement, we suggest speaking with a waterproofing specialist. This process can include indoor waterproofing, outdoor waterproofing, or both.

When constructing a new house, have a soil report completed. A soil report will contain information about how well the soil on a given piece of land can support a foundation, and can offer you a heads-up about any potential future issues. If your concerns are about an existing house, a few hundred dollars will cover an inspection and report by a structural engineer. The engineer can alert you to any issues that could use some attention, and give you advice on avoiding future problems.

You also want to make sure that the moisture around your foundation is at an appropriate level. Don't let the soil around your Elgin home get too dry or too wet; at different times, you might find yourself having to reroute your gutters or water your foundation. You should also stay vigilant for leaky pipes or gutters and repair them quickly.

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

Sometimes, foundation repairs can be considered capital improvements if they meet the criteria of an improvement that adds to your house's overall market value, prolongs its life, or adapts it to new uses. Making capital improvements sometimes allows you to qualify for tax breaks. (Contact your Illinois tax professional to learn more.) This aside, foundation repairs will generally have a positive effect on your home's value.

Although some foundation problems may appear small and not worth the cost to repair, when left untreated, they can lead to larger and more expensive problems in the future. Foundation problems may have underlying causes which are not readily apparent until after a professional inspection. It's important to handle these underlying issues as soon as possible. For these reasons, we advise against procrastinating on foundation repairs.