11 Best Foundation Companies in Okemos, MI

On average, Okemos homeowners spend around $2,837 on foundation repair. The amount you'll spend on foundation repair will vary greatly depending 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 help determine the cost. The easiest way to find out how much a job could cost is to talk to a local foundation repair expert and schedule a free inspection and estimate.

The main types of foundation repair are 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. Costs 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 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, and the total cost will depend on the material chosen and how many strips are used.

Lastly, waterproofing is an overarching term for a category of repairs designed to stop water from getting into your foundation or basement. This can include exterior waterproofing, interior waterproofing, or both, and costs can vary widely. We recommend contacting a waterproofing specialist if you think your foundation needs waterproofing.

If you're building a new home, have a soil report completed. This report contains information about how well the soil on a given piece of land can support a foundation, and can offer you a heads-up about potential future problems. If your concerns are about an existing house, for a few hundred dollars, you can get an inspection and report by a structural engineer. The engineer can alert you to any current problems that could use some attention, and give you advice on avoiding future problems.

You also want to make sure that the moisture around your foundation is appropriate. Don't let the soil around your Okemos home get too dry or too wet; at different times, you might find yourself having to reroute your gutters or water your foundation. Also, be on the lookout for leaky gutters or pipes, so you can get them repaired quickly.

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

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

Interior waterproofing can involve the installation of sump pumps and drains or the use of sealants and tends to be less costly than exterior waterproofing. Exterior waterproofing often involves measures like applying physical barriers to crawl spaces and basements, installing exterior drains, or making changes to your landscaping.

In general, foundation repairs will have a positive effect on the value of your home. In some cases, you may be able to consider foundation repair a capital improvement, which can sometimes qualify you for tax breaks. Generally, a capital improvement is defined as one that adds to a home's overall market value, prolongs its life, or adapts it to new uses. Talk to your Michigan tax professional for more information.