How To Choose a Foundation Repair Company
Working with a qualified foundation repair company is important for accurately evaluating the damage and completing repairs correctly. We suggest focusing on these main factors.
Experience
Look for a reputable local foundation provider with significant experience in 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 asking for local references helps verify that a company consistently provides quality work and good service. Pay attention if you see numerous complaints about poor service or faulty repairs.
Licensing and Insurance
Choose a provider that has the proper licenses, bonds, and insurance policies for liability and workers' compensation. There are only a few construction trades required to be licensed at the state level in Ohio: plumbers, refrigeration installers, hydronic technicians, HVAC contractors, and electricians. However, all Ohio businesses must hold an active state business license. You should also check with your city, county, or municipality to learn whether there are local regulations. Contractors may have to meet additional requirements to do certain work with concrete.
Warranties
Choose a provider that offers transferable warranties of at least 10 years, ideally lifetime guarantees, to fully back their foundation repairs. This demonstrates confidence in the quality of their work and offers protection in case of future issues.
Questions To Ask Foundation Repair Companies
As part of your research into foundation repair providers, get detailed answers to questions such as:
- Realistically, how long will repairs take to complete? Look for companies that provide reasonable estimates.
- What guarantees do you offer? Reliable companies generally provide labor and materials warranties for at least 10 years.
- What repairs do you recommend for this situation, and why? Your contractor may consider options such as carbon fiber, wall anchors, and steel piers. By asking, you can get an idea of what solutions a company offers and compare between providers.
- Can you provide a cost estimate and project scope in writing? Make sure to get quotes in writing to shield yourself from unexpected costs.
- What financing options do you offer? Many providers offer payment plans for larger foundation projects.
- What foundation defects did you find during inspection that could 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 unneeded work.
Carefully assessing foundation repair companies helps homeowners identify the best fit for their needs. A company that can answer the above questions likely performs durable, long-lasting repairs. Fixing foundation problems quickly lowers the risk of future structural damage.