How To Choose a Foundation Repair Company
You need a good foundation repair company to accurately evaluate issues and make appropriate repairs. Do your research and focus on these important factors when selecting the right company.
Experience
Look for a reputable local foundation provider with many years of successfully fixing all foundation types. Technicians should have extensive experience with current repair materials and methods. Contact the company to ask how long the business has served your community.
Reputation
Looking through online reviews, checking the Better Business Bureau, and requesting local references helps verify that a company routinely provides quality work and good service. Pay attention if you see numerous complaints about poor service or faulty repairs.
Licensing and Insurance
Only hire companies 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 determine if a company's business registration is in good standing on the Secretary of State's website. There may be additional requirements for contractors to do certain concrete work.
Warranties
Choose a company that offers transferable warranties of at least 10 years, ideally up to lifetime guarantees, to fully back their foundation repairs. This demonstrates that they stand behind the quality of their repairs and offers protection in case of future issues.
Questions To Ask Foundation Repair Companies
To compare foundation repair companies, you should ask specific 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 attempting to bill you for unnecessary work.
- Can you provide a project scope and cost estimate in writing? Make sure to get quotes in writing to shield yourself from unexpected expenses.
- Realistically, how long will the repairs take? Look for providers that provide reasonable estimates.
- What 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 warranties are provided? Reputable companies will offer warranties of at least 10 years on labor and materials.
- What options do you offer for financing? Providers often offer payment plans for larger foundation repairs.
Taking time to carefully evaluate foundation repair contractors will help homeowners find the right company for their needs. A company that can thoroughly answer these questions is likely one that delivers long-lasting, high-quality repairs. Promptly fixing foundation issues helps avoid further structural damage.