How To Choose a Foundation Repair Company
Working with a qualified foundation repair provider is important for properly evaluating the damage and completing repairs correctly. We suggest focusing on these key factors.
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 methods and materials. Contact the company to ask how long it’s served your community.
Reputation
Reading online reviews, checking the Better Business Bureau, and asking for local references helps verify that a company routinely provides good workmanship and good service. Pay attention if you see multiple complaints about poor service or faulty repairs.
Licensing and Insurance
It's important to select a provider that has the correct licenses, bonding, and insurance for liability and workers' compensation. The government of Illinois does not have any state-level general contractor licensing requirements; you'll need to check with your city or municipal government to learn about any local requirements. 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 work with concrete.
Warranties
Choose a company that offers transferable warranties of at least a decade, ideally up to lifetime guarantees, to back their foundation repairs. This demonstrates confidence in the quality of their work 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 financing options do you have? Many providers offer payment plans for larger foundation projects.
- What repair method do you recommend for this specific situation and why? Your provider may offer options such as steel piers, carbon fiber, and wall anchors. By asking, you can get an idea of what solutions a company offers and compare between providers.
- Can you provide a complete written project scope and cost estimate? Getting quotes in writing helps protect you from unexpected costs.
- Realistically, how long will repairs take to complete? Look for providers that provide reasonable estimates.
- What warranties do you provide? Reliable companies usually provide labor and materials warranties of at least 10 years.
- What foundation flaws did you find during inspection that may be causing the issue? The response should have easy-to-understand explanations and solutions. If a provider offers a vague answer, it may be attempting to bill you for unneeded work.
Carefully assessing foundation repair companies helps homeowners find the best fit for their needs. A company that can answer the above questions likely completes durable, high-quality repairs. Repairing foundation problems quickly lowers the risk of future structural damage.