11 Best Foundation Companies in Brandywine, MD

On average, Brandywine homeowners pay around $2,798 for foundation repair, although the total cost will change based on several factors. The fastest way to get an estimate for the cost of your specific job is to request quotes from a handful of local foundation repair companies. Your total cost will be determined by things like the size of your house and type of repair(s) needed.

The primary types of foundation repair include crack repair, leak repair, underpinning, stabilization, and waterproofing.

Crack repair and leak repair are what they sound like: your foundation repair expert will perform an inspection and complete any repairs necessary to remedy cracks or leaks. The price will vary depending on the size and cause of the problem.

Underpinning, also called piering or leveling, is when a contractor levels your foundation by underpinning it with large concrete piers. The price will be based on how many piers are used. The price of stabilization is also variable. This process fixes bowing walls by reinforcing them with steel or carbon fiber strips. The total cost will depend on the material chosen and how many strips are used.

Lastly, waterproofing is an overarching term for a number of jobs that help stop water from getting into your foundation. This can include exterior waterproofing, interior waterproofing, or both, and the price can vary greatly. We recommend contacting a waterproofing specialist if you're planning to waterproof your foundation.

To protect your foundation, you should make sure that it has the proper level of moisture. Avoid letting the soil around your Brandywine 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. You should also make sure that you promptly identify and fix 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 cost a few hundred dollars, but the consultation can net you 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 can provide information regarding how well the soil on your property will be able to support a foundation, and can highlight potential future issues.

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

Indicators that you need foundation waterproofing include uneven floors, hairline cracks, basement flooding, white powder or spots on your walls, discoloration or odors, or signs of mildew, mold, or fungus. Your contractor can tell you whether you need interior or exterior waterproofing.

Interior waterproofing can involve the installation of sump pumps and drains or the use of sealants and is generally less costly than exterior waterproofing. Exterior waterproofing often involves measures like applying physical barriers to basements and crawl spaces, installing exterior drains, or making changes to your landscaping.

In some cases, foundation repairs can be considered capital improvements if they meet the criteria of an improvement that adds to your house's overall value, prolongs its life, or adapts it to new uses. In some cases, making capital improvements allows you to qualify for tax breaks. (Speak with your Maryland tax professional for more information.) Even if you don't qualify for tax breaks, foundation repairs will, in most cases, positively affect your home's value.