12 Best Foundation Companies in Boston, MA

The amount you'll spend on foundation repair is based on several factors. Things like the extent of the damage, the type of repair needed, and the size of your home will all help determine the cost. On average, Boston homeowners spend roughly $4,946. The fastest way to determine how much a job is going to cost is to reach out to a local foundation repair company and schedule a free inspection and estimate.

Click here to see a more thorough breakdown of the cost of foundation repair in Massachusetts.

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

If you're interested in waterproofing your foundation or basement, we suggest looking for a waterproofing specialist. This process might include indoor waterproofing, outdoor waterproofing, or both.

When your foundation is in need of waterproofing, you might start to notice signs like uneven floors, hairline cracks, white powder or spots on your walls, discoloration or odors, basement flooding, or signs of fungus, mildew, or mold.

Your options include interior and exterior waterproofing. Interior waterproofing is generally less expensive, and involves measures like the use of sealants or the installation of drains or sump pumps. Exterior waterproofing tends to be more expensive but more effective. This process can involve things like landscaping changes, external drains, or physical barriers to keep water out of basements and crawl spaces.

Usually, your foundation repair contractor will be licensed as a general contractor. In Massachusetts, a foundation repair contractors needs to be registered as a Home Improvement Contractor (HIC) by the Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation. In addition to this registration, most jobs require at least one individual to have a Construction Supervisor's License. Work done by registered HICs is backed by the Guaranty Fund, which can provide compensation of up to $10,000 if your contractor is unable to reimburse you for damages sustained. There may be additional requirements for contractors to do certain work with concrete.

In some cases, foundation repairs can be considered capital improvements if they fit the criteria of an improvement that adds to a home's overall market value, prolongs its life, or adapts it to new uses. Making capital improvements sometimes lets you qualify for tax breaks. (Contact your Massachusetts tax professional for the most accurate information.) Even without these tax breaks, foundation repairs will, in most cases, positively affect your home's value.

Foundation repairs carried out by a trustworthy company should last a long time. Extensive repairs, like basement waterproofing, can be involved and expensive, but they do a lot in terms of lowering your risk of future issues.