11 Best Foundation Companies in Ottawa, IL

On average, Ottawa homeowners spend roughly $2,201 on foundation repair. The cost of foundation repair depends on a number of factors. Things like the size of your home, the type of repair needed, and the extent of the damage will all help determine the cost. The best way to determine how much a job may cost is to speak with a local foundation repair company and schedule a free inspection and estimate.

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 fix leaks or cracks. The cost of these procedures can vary greatly depending on the size and root cause of the issue.

Stabilization helps to fix bowing walls by inserting steel or carbon fiber strips. The amount you spend will depend on the material used and how many strips are needed. The cost of underpinning also varies. This process, also called leveling or piering, involves leveling your foundation by underpinning it with concrete piers; the cost will depend on how many piers are needed.

If you're interested in waterproofing your foundation or basement, we recommend talking to a waterproofing specialist. This process can include outdoor waterproofing, indoor waterproofing, or both.

When caring for your foundation, you should make sure that it gets the proper level of moisture. Avoid letting the soil around your Ottawa house become too wet or too dry – make changes to your gutter system to route water away, or water your foundation if it starts to get too dry. Additionally, make sure that you promptly identify and repair any leaking pipes or gutters.

If you have any concerns about your foundation, you can reach out to a structural engineer for an evaluation. This will run you a few hundred dollars, but the engineer's consultation can provide you with a list of things to look out for as well as more ideas to help you further protect your foundation. Lastly, if you're building a new house, ensure that you have a soil report done. This report provides information about how well the soil on your property will be able to support a foundation and highlights any potential future problems.

A permit is normally required for foundation repair, but applying for one won't be your responsibility. Your foundation repair professional should obtain all the permits and other documents required in Ottawa, and should be able to provide the documents and/or explain the process before starting work.

Foundation repairs can sometimes, foundation repairs can be considered capital improvements if they meet the criteria of an improvement that will add to a home's overall value, prolong its life, or adapt it to new uses. In some cases, making capital improvements allows you to qualify for tax breaks. (Contact your Illinois tax professional for the most accurate information.) This aside, foundation repairs will, in most cases, positively affect the value of your home.

The length of time a foundation repair takes varies greatly depending on the kind of repair required and the size of your home. Most repairs will take anywhere from one to several weeks. Consult your Ottawa foundation repair professional for the specific timeline for your project.