11 Best Foundation Companies in Gaithersburg, MD

On average, Gaithersburg homeowners spend around $2,721 on foundation repair. The cost of foundation repair is based on a number of factors. Things like the extent of the damage, the size of your home, and the type of repair needed will all factor in. The best way to determine how much a job may cost is to talk to a local foundation repair company and schedule a free inspection and estimate.

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 contractor will perform an inspection and complete any repairs necessary to remedy cracks or leaks. The price will depend on the size and cause of the problem.

Underpinning, also called leveling or piering, is the process of leveling your foundation by underpinning it with large concrete piers. The amount you can expect to spend depends on how many piers are required. The price of stabilization is also variable. This process fixes bowing walls by reinforcing them with steel or carbon fiber strips, and the cost will depend on what material is used and how many strips are used.

Finally, waterproofing is an overarching term for a category of repairs intended to prevent water from getting into your foundation. This can include exterior waterproofing, interior waterproofing, or both, and the price can vary widely. We recommend contacting a waterproofing specialist if you're interested in waterproofing your foundation.

When caring for your foundation, you should make sure it gets the proper level of moisture. Avoid letting the soil around your Gaithersburg 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, be sure to quickly identify and fix any leaking gutters or pipes.

If you think there may be any problems with your foundation, you can contact a structural engineer for an evaluation. This will run you a few hundred dollars, but the consultation can provide you with a list of things to be aware of as well as steps you can take to further protect your foundation. Lastly, if you're building a new house, make sure to have a soil report done. This can provide information about how well the soil on your property can support a foundation, and can highlight potential future issues.

Your foundation repair professional should acquire the needed permits. You can request that the company provide a detailed explanation of the steps in its process and to see the paperwork and permits it has acquired to ensure everything is properly authorized per Gaithersburg regulations.

In some cases, foundation repairs can be considered capital improvements if they meet the criteria of an improvement that adds to a home's overall market 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 the most accurate information.) This aside, foundation repairs will, in most cases, positively affect your home's value.

In most cases, your home insurance won't cover foundation repairs, unless the repair is to fix damage caused by a covered weather event. It's a smart idea to talk to your home insurance company before starting any foundation repairs.