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
Choose a well-established local company with extensive experience successfully handling all manner of foundation repairs. These companies have specialized expertise with the latest materials and methods. Ask how long a company has served homes in your area.
Reputation
Reading through online reviews, checking the Better Business Bureau, and requesting local references helps you verify that the provider consistently delivers quality work and a great customer experience. Pay attention if you see numerous complaints about poor service or faulty repairs.
Licensing and Insurance
Only hire providers that are properly licensed, bonded, and have both workers compensation and liability insurance. The government of Illinois does not have any state-level general contractor licensing requirements; 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. Contractors may have to meet additional requirements to do certain work with concrete.
Warranties
Look for a company that provides lengthy transferable warranties for a minimum of a decade, preferably lifetime guarantees, to back its work. This demonstrates faith that its services are top-quality and safeguards you if issues arise in the future.
Questions To Ask Foundation Repair Companies
To compare foundation repair companies, you should ask specific questions such as:
- What type of guarantees do you offer? Trustworthy providers often offer warranties of minimum 10 years on materials and labor.
- What financing options do you offer? Providers often offer payment plans for larger foundation repairs.
- Realistically, how long will repairs take? Look for companies that provide reasonable estimates.
- 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 attempting to bill you for unnecessary work.
- What repairs would you recommend for my situation, and why? Your contractor may offer options such as wall anchors, carbon fiber, and steel piers. By asking, you can get an idea of what solutions a company offers and compare between providers.
- Can you provide a project scope and cost estimate in writing? Make sure to get quotes in writing to shield yourself from unexpected expenses.
Taking time to vet foundation repair companies will help you locate the right one for you. Providers that can thoroughly answer these questions will likely provide durable, high-quality repairs. Promptly addressing foundation issues helps avoid future structural damage.
