How To Choose a Foundation Repair Company
Hiring a qualified foundation repair company 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 company with significant experience in successfully fixing all foundation types. 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
Looking through online reviews, checking the Better Business Bureau, and requesting local references helps verify that a company regularly provides quality work and good service. Pay attention if you see multiple complaints about faulty repairs or poor service.
Licensing and Insurance
Make sure any professional you hire has the right licenses, bonds, and coverage for liability and workers' compensation. In the state of Maryland, contractors will be licensed through the Maryland Home Improvement Commission, a division of the Department of Labor. To obtain a license, an individual must have two years of experience, must pass an exam, and must hold general liability insurance. There may be additional requirements for contractors to do certain work with concrete.
Warranties
Opt for a provider offering long transferable warranties of at least 10 years, ideally lifetime guarantees, to completely back its repair work. This exhibits belief in the quality and durability of the repairs and offers protection should problems develop later.
Questions To Ask Foundation Repair Companies
To compare foundation repair professionals, you should ask specific questions such as:
- Realistically, how long will the repairs take to complete? Look for companies that provide reasonable estimates.
- Can you provide a project scope and cost estimate in writing? Be sure to get quotes in writing to shield yourself from unexpected costs.
- What guarantees do you provide? Reliable companies usually provide labor and materials warranties of at least 10 years.
- What foundation defects 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 an unclear answer, it may be trying to bill you for extra work.
- What exact repair method do you recommend for my specific situation and why? Your provider may offer options such as wall anchors, carbon fiber, and steel piers. Asking allows you to compare suggested solutions between companies.
- 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 delivers high-quality, long-lasting repairs. Swiftly addressing foundation issues reduces the risk of further structural damage.
