11 Best Foundation Companies in Waltham, MA

On average, Waltham homeowners spend roughly $3,356 on foundation repair. The cost of foundation repair will vary greatly depending on a number of factors. Things like the type of repair needed, the size of your home, and the extent of the damage will all play a part. The easiest way to find out how much a job may cost is to contact 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 take necessary measures 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 the process of leveling your foundation by underpinning it with large concrete piers. The cost will depend on how many piers are required. The price of stabilization varies similarly. This process fixes bowing walls by reinforcing them with steel or carbon fiber strips. 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 that help prevent water from getting into your foundation or basement. This can include exterior waterproofing, interior waterproofing, or both, and the price can vary widely. We recommend contacting a waterproofing specialist if you're planning to waterproof your foundation.

When caring for your foundation, you should make sure it has the right amount of moisture. Waltham sees more rain than many places, so be sure that your gutters and landscaping are arranged to prevent too much water from collecting near your foundation. Also be sure to quickly identify and fix any leaking pipes or gutters.

If you think there may be any problems with your foundation, you can call a structural engineer for an evaluation. This will cost a few hundred dollars, but the engineer's 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. Finally, if you're constructing a new home, be sure that you have a soil report done. This can provide information regarding how well the soil on your property can support a foundation, and can highlight potential future problems.

A permit is normally required for foundation repair, but applying for one shouldn't be your responsibility. Your foundation repair provider should obtain the permit and all other documents required in Waltham, and should be able to provide the documents and/or explain the process before starting work.

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

Interior waterproofing can involve the use of sealants or the installation of sump pumps and drains and generally is less expensive than exterior waterproofing. Exterior waterproofing can involve things like applying physical barriers to basements and crawl spaces, changing your landscaping, or installing exterior drains.

While some foundation problems might seem small and not worth the cost to repair, when left untreated, they can result in larger and more expensive problems later on. Foundation issues can also have underlying causes which are not readily apparent until after a professional inspection. It's important to fix these underlying issues as soon as possible. For these reasons, we recommend you don't procrastinate on foundation repairs.