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7 Best Foundation Companies in Fort Dodge, IA

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Written By Bradford Cuthrell

Last Updated April 2024

Foundation repair can be a time-consuming, lengthy process and expensive project. However, neglecting issues can lead to serious consequences and high costs later on. Fort Dodge homeowners might be worried about whether they'll be able to keep living in their house while repairs are going on, and how long those repairs might take.

To assist homeowners with finding quality foundation services, we compiled a list of top-rated foundation repair companies serving your area. Check out our list of top picks to learn about the best foundation repair companies in Fort Dodge, Iowa.

Our Recommended Providers

Top Pick
4.9/5
  • Regional Expert
  • Great Reputation
  • Track Record of Success
Best Warranty Options
4.7/5
  • Offers free in-person and virtual evaluations
  • 87+ years of industry experience
  • All repairs backed by a lifetime transferable warranty

Top 7 Best Foundation Companies in Fort Dodge

Ames Concrete Contractors

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1912 E Lincoln Wy, Ames, IA 50010 (515) 233-1285 amesconcretecontractors.com

Good customer service

Helps educate customers

Transparent pricing

Free quotes

Services Offered

Sidewalks
Concrete
Driveways
Grading and leveling
Retaining walls
Repair

WCI Basement Repair

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602 W 8th St, Carroll, IA 51401 (712) 775-2306 wcibasementrepair.com

Helps educate customers

Transparent pricing

Good customer service

Free quotes

Services Offered

Sump pumps
Repair
Retaining walls
Grading and leveling
Waterproofing
Crawl space encapsulation

Alexander Masonry

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1603 10th St #607, Nevada, IA 50201 (515) 203-0660 alexandermasonry.biz

Good customer service

Transparent pricing

Helps educate customers

Free quotes

Services Offered

Masonry
Waterproofing
Inspection
Repair

All Basements and More of Adel

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1315 Pleasant St, Adel, IA 50003 (515) 674-2801 allbasementsandmore.com

Transparent pricing

Good customer service

Free quotes

Punctual service

Services Offered

Masonry
Repair
Sump pumps
Retaining walls
Crawl space encapsulation
Concrete
Waterproofing

The Driveway Company

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3500 SE Miehe Dr #1, Grimes, IA 50111 (515) 850-1072 thedrivewaycompanyofne-ia.com

Helps educate customers

Free quotes

Transparent pricing

Good customer service

Services Offered

Inspection
Repair
Grading and leveling
Driveways
Concrete
Sealing

Paragon Concrete

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2109 NW Sunset Ln, Grimes, IA 50111 (515) 657-7440 paragon-concrete.com

Transparent pricing

Good customer service

Services Offered

Sidewalks
Repair
Driveways
Concrete

Allfather Masonry LLC

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525 NE 5th St, Ankeny, IA 50021 (515) 985-8652 allfathermasonry.com

Helps educate customers

Free quotes

Services Offered

Retaining walls
Concrete
Grading and leveling
Masonry
Repair
Today's Homeowner Ranking Methodology

Today's Homeowner looks at dozens of datapoints on foundation companies to come up with our data-driven rankings. It's not possible for a company to pay for preferential treatment in our rankings. We look at the following key factors in determining who should top our list:

  • Company Experience
  • Real User Reviews
  • Company Reputation
  • Accreditations and Licenses
  • Service Area
  • Customer Service
Have questions about our methodology or company ratings? Reach out to FindAPro@TodaysHomeowner.com.

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 recommend focusing on these main factors.

Experience

We recommend hiring a local foundation repair provider with a well-established track record of fixing various types of foundations. These companies should have deep knowledge of the latest materials and techniques. Ask providers how long they've served your area.

Reputation

Researching online reviews, checking the Better Business Bureau, and requesting local references helps you confirm that the provider consistently delivers good workmanship and a great customer experience. Pay attention if you see multiple complaints about poor service or faulty repairs.

Licensing and Insurance

Only hire providers that are properly licensed, bonded, and have both liability and workers compensation insurance. In Iowa, contractors earning more than $2,000 a year from their trade are required to register with the Iowa Division of Labor. There are no state-level license requirements; licensing is handled by your local city or municipal government. There may be additional requirements for contractors to do certain concrete work.

Warranties

Choose a company that offers long transferable warranties of at least a decade, ideally up to lifetime guarantees, to fully back their foundation repairs. This demonstrates confidence in the quality of their work and offers protection if future issues arise.

Questions To Ask Foundation Repair Companies

When examining potential foundation repair companies, make sure to ask in-depth questions such as:

  • What type of warranties do you offer? Trustworthy providers typically offer warranties of at least 10 years on materials and labor.
  • What options do you have for financing? Providers often offer payment plans for larger foundation repairs.
  • Realistically, how long will the repairs take to complete? Look for companies that provide reasonable estimates.
  • Can you provide a cost estimate and project scope in writing? Make sure to get quotes in writing to protect yourself from unexpected expenses.
  • What repairs do you recommend for my situation, and why? Your contractor may provide 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 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.

Thoroughly assessing foundation repair companies helps homeowners find the ideal match for their needs. A provider that can answer the questions above is likely one that provides long-lasting, durable repairs. Promptly fixing foundation problems helps avoid further structural damage.

Frequently Asked Questions About Foundation Repair in Fort Dodge, IA

If your foundation is in need of repair, you may notice a number of symptoms. Outside your home, you might see a crumbling or cracking foundation or cracks in your driveway. Your ground level or basement might have uneven or cracked floors. You may notice doors or windows sticking in their frames, or frames that are skewed. You might also notice bowing, cracking, or buckling walls.

On average, Fort Dodge homeowners pay around $2,643 for foundation repair, although the total cost will vary widely depending on several factors. The best way to estimate the cost of a specific project is to request quotes from a handful of local foundation repair companies. The total price will be influenced by things like the size of your house and type of repair(s) needed.

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

Leak repair and crack repair involve a technician coming to your home, performing an inspection, and using various measures to fix leaks or cracks. The cost of these procedures will vary greatly depending on the size and root cause of the problem.

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

If you're looking to waterproof your foundation or basement, we recommend talking to a waterproofing specialist. This process might include indoor waterproofing, outdoor waterproofing, or both.

If you're building a new house, have a soil report completed. This report contains information regarding how well your soil can support a foundation, and can provide you with a heads-up about potential future problems. If your concerns are about an existing home, a few hundred dollars will cover an inspection and report by a structural engineer. They can point you to any things that need attention, and give you advice on how to avoid 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 Fort Dodge home get too dry or too wet; at different times, you might find yourself having to reroute your gutters or water your foundation. Also, be on the lookout for leaky pipes or gutters and repair them quickly.

Your foundation repair professional should acquire the needed permits. You can ask the company to provide a detailed explanation of its process and to see the paperwork and permits it has acquired to confirm everything is properly authorized per Fort Dodge regulations.

Foundation repairs can sometimes, foundation repairs can be considered capital improvements if they fit 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 helps you qualify for tax breaks. (Speak with your Iowa tax professional for more information.) This aside, foundation repairs will generally have a positive effect on the value of your home.

Foundation repair, especially large repairs such as basement waterproofing, should last a long time. This is particularly true if you employ a reliable company. By solving systemic foundation issues, or reinforcing key areas, you reduce the risk of future problems.

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