Expert Advice On Improving Your Home

3 Best Foundation Companies in Mason City, IA

Get matched with a top local pro.
Join over 640 homeowners that have gotten a free quote in the past week.

Written By Bradford Cuthrell

Last Updated February 2024

Foundation repair can involve significant time and financial investment. However, ignoring issues can lead to serious consequences and high costs down the line. You might fear that it's already too late, and that your Mason City home has sustained significant foundation damage that can't be seen.

To help homeowners find trusted foundation services, we researched the best, highly-trusted foundation repair companies near you. Continue reading to learn about our top picks for the best foundation repair companies in Mason City, Iowa.

Our Recommended Providers

Trusted Brand
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 3 Best Foundation Companies in Mason City

Arends Excavating

Arends Excavating Logo

Our Rating

User Rating

Write a Review
3768 W Airline Hwy, Waterloo, IA 50701 (319) 269-4990 arendsllc.com

Helps educate customers

Transparent pricing

Good customer service

Services Offered

Concrete
Leveling
Foundation waterproofing
Foundation repair
Foundation installation

Cedar Valley Handyman, LLC

Cedar Valley Handyman, LLC Logo

Our Rating

User Rating

Write a Review
2353 W Airline Hwy, Waterloo, IA 50703 (319) 300-4063 cedarvalleyhandyman.com

Transparent pricing

Helps educate customers

Good customer service

Free quotes

Services Offered

Foundation repair
Foundation installation

Martinson Construction Co

Martinson Construction Co Logo

Our Rating

User Rating

Write a Review
3842 W Airline Hwy, Waterloo, IA 50703 (319) 232-4000 martinsonconstruction.com

Transparent pricing

Good customer service

Services Offered

Foundation waterproofing
Foundation repair
Concrete
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

Hiring a qualified foundation repair business ensures you have someone who will inspect the damage thoroughly and make appropriate fixes. It's important to conduct research beforehand, focusing on the factors listed here.

Experience

Look for a reliable local foundation provider with a proven history of successfully fixing a wide range of foundation problems. Technicians should have extensive experience with current repair methods and materials. Contact the company to ask how long the business has served your community.

Reputation

Reading through online reviews, checking the Better Business Bureau, and asking for local references helps you verify that a provider consistently delivers good workmanship and a positive customer service experience. Pay attention if you see multiple complaints about shoddy repairs or poor service.

Licensing and Insurance

Choose a provider that has valid licenses, bonds, and coverage plans for liability and workers' compensation. Contractors in Iowa earning more than $2,000 a year from their trade must register with the Iowa Division of Labor. There aren't any state-level license requirements; licensing is handled at the city or municipal level. There may be additional requirements for contractors to do certain work with concrete.

Warranties

Pick a company that offers transferable warranties for a minimum of a decade and, if possible, lifetime guarantees to fully back its foundation repair services. This displays faith that their repairs will be high-quality and long-lasting and provides protection should problems come up later.

Questions To Ask Foundation Repair Companies

To compare foundation repair providers, you should ask detailed questions such as:

  • What foundation flaws did you identify 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 extra work.
  • What type of warranties do you offer? Trustworthy providers will offer warranties of at least 10 years on labor and materials.
  • Can you provide a cost estimate and project scope in writing? Be sure to get quotes in writing to protect yourself from unexpected costs.
  • What exact repair method do you recommend for this specific situation and why? Your provider may consider options such as carbon fiber, wall anchors, and steel piers. Asking allows you to compare suggested solutions between companies.
  • How long will repairs realistically take? Look for providers that provide reasonable estimates.
  • What financing options do you offer? 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 offers long-lasting, high-quality repairs. Promptly fixing foundation issues helps prevent further structural damage.

Frequently Asked Questions About Foundation Repair in Mason City, IA

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

On average, Mason City homeowners pay roughly $2,643 for foundation repair, although the total cost will vary widely depending on several factors. The fastest way to get an estimate for the cost of a specific job is to solicit quotes from one or more local foundation repair companies. The amount you pay for a job 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, completing an inspection, and using various repair techniques to remedy leaks or cracks. The amount you spend can vary greatly depending on the size and root cause of the problem.

Stabilization involves reinforcing bowing walls by inserting carbon fiber or steel strips. The cost will depend on the material chosen and the number of strips required. The cost of underpinning also varies. This process, sometimes referred to as leveling or piering, involves underpinning your foundation with concrete piers to level it; the cost is based on how many piers are needed.

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

When constructing a new house, have a soil report completed. This report contains information about how well the soil on a given piece of land can support a foundation, and can give you a heads-up about any potential future issues. If your concerns are about an existing house, for a few hundred dollars, you can get an inspection and report by a structural engineer. They can alert you to any things that need attention, and advise you on avoiding 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 Mason City 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 gutters or pipes and repair them quickly.

Foundation repair usually requires a permit, but acquiring one won't be your responsibility. Your foundation repair professional should put together all the permits and other documents required in Mason City, and should be able to provide the documents and/or explain the process if asked.

You might not want to spend money hiring someone for what seems like a small foundation repair. However, it's always in your best interest to consult a professional. This helps you avoid potential future issues that could be even more expensive. It may be possible to repair small hairline cracks yourself, but it's always a smart idea to get an expert opinion first.

Foundation repair, particularly very involved repairs like basement waterproofing, should last a long time. This is particularly true if you employ a reputable company. When you solve systemic issues with your foundation, or reinforce key areas, you lower your risk of future problems.

Other Mason City, IA Home Services