How To Choose a Foundation Repair Company
Working with a qualified foundation repair provider is important for accurately evaluating the damage and making the right repairs. We recommend focusing on these key factors.
Experience
Choose a well-established local provider with many years, ideally decades, of experience successfully completing all kinds of foundation repairs. These providers have specialized expertise with the latest materials and methods. Ask how long a company has been serving your area.
Reputation
Looking through online reviews, checking the Better Business Bureau, and asking for local references helps verify that a company consistently provides quality work and great customer service. Pay attention if you see many complaints about faulty repairs or poor service.
Licensing and Insurance
Only hire companies that are properly licensed, bonded, and have both liability and workers compensation insurance. In Massachusetts, your foundation expert will need 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 that is completed by registered HICs is backed by the Guaranty Fund, which can provide compensation up to $10,000 if there are issues and your contractor is unable to pay. There may be additional requirements for contractors to do certain work with concrete.
Warranties
Pick a provider that offers warranties of 10+ years that you can transfer to a new owner if you sell and, if possible, lifetime guarantees to fully back its services. This displays confidence that the company's work is top-notch and provides protection should problems come up later.
Questions To Ask Foundation Repair Companies
To compare foundation repair professionals, you should ask specific questions such as:
- What financing options do you have? Providers often offer payment plans for larger foundation repairs.
- Realistically, how long will repairs take to complete? Look for providers that provide reasonable estimates.
- What repairs do you recommend for this situation, and why? Your contractor may offer options such as wall anchors, steel piers, and carbon fiber. By asking, you can get an idea of what solutions a company offers and compare between providers.
- What warranties do you provide? Reputable providers usually provide labor and materials warranties for at least 10 years.
- Can you provide a complete written cost estimate and project scope? Getting the details in writing helps protect you from unexpected expenses.
- What foundation defects did you find during inspection that could be causing the issue? The response should have easy-to-understand explanations and solutions. If a provider offers an unclear answer, it may be attempting to bill you for unneeded work.
Thoroughly evaluating foundation repair companies will help you identify the right one for you. Providers that can thoroughly answer these questions will likely provide high-quality, durable repairs. Promptly addressing foundation issues helps avoid future structural damage.
