How To Choose a Foundation Repair Company
Hiring a qualified foundation repair contractor ensures you have someone who will inspect the damage thoroughly and make appropriate fixes. It's important to do your research beforehand, focusing on the factors listed here.
Experience
Look for a reliable local foundation company with many years of successfully fixing all foundation types. Technicians should have expert-level understanding of current repair materials and methods. Contact the company to ask how long the business has served your community.
Reputation
Researching online reviews, checking the Better Business Bureau, and requesting local references helps you verify that a company consistently delivers quality work and a great customer experience. Pay attention if you see numerous complaints about poor service or faulty repairs.
Licensing and Insurance
Choose a provider that has the right licenses, bonds, and insurance policies 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. Asking allows you to compare suggested solutions between companies.
- Realistically, how long will the repairs take? Look for companies that provide reasonable estimates.
- Can you provide a complete written cost estimate and project scope? Getting quotes in writing helps protect you from unexpected expenses.
- What warranties do you provide? Reputable providers usually provide labor and materials warranties that last at least 10 years.
- What are some likely causes of my issues based on your inspection? Look for clear explanations and solutions in the answer. Companies that provide unclear answers may be attempting to bill you for unnecessary work.
- What options do you have for financing? Many providers offer payment plans for larger foundation projects.
Taking time to carefully evaluate foundation repair contractors will help homeowners discover the right company for their needs. A company that can thoroughly answer these questions is likely one that offers high-quality, long-lasting repairs. Swiftly addressing foundation issues helps avoid further structural damage.