11 Best Foundation Companies in Princeton, NJ

On average, Princeton homeowners pay around $2,594 for foundation repair, although the actual cost will vary widely depending on several factors. The best way to estimate the cost of a specific project is to get quotes from a few local foundation repair companies. Your total cost will be determined by things like the type of the repair(s) and the size of your house.

The primary 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 repair expert will perform an inspection and take necessary measures to remedy cracks or leaks. The price will depend 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 amount you can expect to spend depends on how many piers are needed. The price of stabilization is also variable. This process fixes bowing walls by reinforcing them with steel or carbon fiber strips. The 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 prevent water from getting into your foundation or basement. This can involve exterior waterproofing, interior waterproofing, or both, and costs can vary greatly. We recommend contacting a waterproofing specialist if you're interested in waterproofing your foundation.

When caring for your foundation, you should make sure it has the proper level of moisture. Princeton 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 make sure that you promptly identify and repair any leaking gutters or pipes.

If you think there may be any problems with your foundation, you can reach out to a structural engineer for an evaluation. This will cost a few hundred dollars, but the consultation can net you a list of potential concerns as well as more ideas to help you further protect your foundation. Finally, if you're constructing a new house, make sure that you have a soil report done. This report provides information about how well the soil on your property can support a foundation and highlights potential future problems.

Your foundation repair professional should acquire the needed permits. You can ask the company to provide a detailed explanation of the steps in its process and to see the paperwork and permits it has assembled to verify that everything is properly authorized per Princeton regulations.

Sometimes, foundation repairs can be considered capital improvements if they meet the criteria of an improvement that will add to a home's overall value, prolong its life, or adapt it to new uses. Making capital improvements sometimes helps you qualify for tax breaks. (Contact your New Jersey tax professional to learn more.) This aside, foundation repairs will, in most cases, positively affect the value of your home.

Although some foundation problems might appear small and not worth the cost to fix, when left untreated, they can result in much larger and more expensive problems later on. Foundation issues can also have underlying causes that are not obvious until after a professional inspection. It's important to fix these underlying issues as soon as possible. For these reasons, we advise against procrastinating on foundation repairs.