How To Choose a Foundation Repair Company
Hiring a qualified foundation repair provider 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 local foundation repair company with comprehensive experience fixing all foundation types. It should have specialized knowledge of the latest repair techniques and materials. Ask how long a company has served your area.
Reputation
Reading through online reviews, checking the Better Business Bureau, and requesting local references helps you verify that the company consistently delivers quality work and a positive customer service experience. Pay attention if you see numerous complaints about shoddy repairs or poor service.
Licensing and Insurance
Make sure any professional you hire has the appropriate licenses, bonds, and insurance for liability and workers' compensation. In Missouri, there is no state-level general contractor license (although an individual may hold a professional engineering license from the Division of Professional Regulation). General contracting regulations are handled by local governments. You can verify a company's business license on this website. Contractors may have to meet additional requirements 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 confidence that the repairs will be effective 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:
- What repairs do you recommend for my situation, and why? Your contractor may provide 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.
- Realistically, how long will the repairs take? Look for providers that provide reasonable estimates.
- Can you provide a complete written cost estimate and project scope? Getting the details in writing helps shield you from unexpected costs.
- What warranties do you offer? Reliable companies generally provide labor and materials warranties that last at least 10 years.
- What foundation flaws did you find 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 unnecessary work.
- What financing options do you have? 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 offers durable, high-quality repairs. Swiftly addressing foundation issues helps avoid further structural damage.