How To Choose a Foundation Repair Company
Conduct research before beginning your foundation repair project in order to find the most qualified foundation repair company. Here are the main factors we recommend considering.
Experience
Look for a reputable local foundation company with a proven history of successfully fixing all foundation types. Technicians should have extensive experience with current repair materials and methods. Contact the company to ask how long it’s served your community.
Reputation
Looking through online reviews, checking the Better Business Bureau, and requesting local references helps verify that a company routinely provides quality work and good service. Pay attention if you see many complaints about faulty repairs or poor service.
Licensing and Insurance
Only hire companies that are properly licensed, bonded, and have both liability and workers compensation insurance. Only certain construction trades are required to be licensed at the state level in Ohio: electricians, refrigeration installers, hydronic technicians, HVAC contractors, and plumbers. However, all Ohio businesses must have an active state business license. You should also check with your city, county, or municipality to find out if there are any local regulations. There may be additional requirements for contractors 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 foundation repair work. This exhibits confidence that the repairs will be effective and offers protection should problems develop later.
Questions To Ask Foundation Repair Companies
When examining potential foundation repair companies, make sure to ask detailed questions such as:
- What repairs do you recommend for this situation, and why? Your contractor may consider 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.
- What warranties do you offer? Reputable providers usually provide labor and materials warranties of at least 10 years.
- What financing options do you offer? Many providers offer payment plans for larger foundation projects.
- Can you provide a cost estimate and project scope in writing? Be sure to get quotes in writing to shield yourself from unexpected costs.
- Realistically, how long will the repairs take to complete? Look for companies that provide reasonable estimates.
- What do you see as the likely cause of the problem based on your inspection? Look for clear explanations and solutions in the answer. Companies that provide unclear answers may be trying to bill you for unnecessary work.
Thoroughly reviewing foundation repair companies helps homeowners locate the best fit for their needs. A company that can answer the above questions likely completes long-lasting, quality repairs. Repairing foundation problems swiftly lowers the risk of future structural damage.