How To Choose a Foundation Repair Company
Working with a qualified foundation repair business is important for accurately evaluating the damage and completing repairs correctly. We suggest focusing on these main factors.
Experience
Look for a reliable local foundation provider with significant experience in 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
Looking through online reviews, checking the Better Business Bureau, and requesting local references helps verify that a company consistently provides quality work and good service. Pay attention if you see many complaints about poor service or faulty repairs.
Licensing and Insurance
Only hire providers 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, plumbers, and HVAC contractors. However, all Ohio businesses need to possess an active state business license. You can also check with your city, county, or municipality to find out if there are local regulations. There may be additional requirements for contractors to do certain work with concrete.
Warranties
Pick a provider that offers warranties of 10+ years that you can transfer to a new owner if you sell and, if possible, lifetime guarantees to fully back its foundation repair services. This displays faith that their repairs will be high-quality and long-lasting and provides protection should problems come up later.
Questions To Ask Foundation Repair Companies
While researching options for foundation repair providers, get detailed answers to questions such as:
- Realistically, how long will repairs take? Look for providers that provide reasonable estimates.
- Can you provide a project scope and cost estimate in writing? Make sure to get quotes in writing to protect yourself from unexpected expenses.
- What financing options do you offer? Providers often offer payment plans for larger foundation repairs.
- What foundation flaws did you identify 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 attempting to bill you for extra work.
- What type of guarantees do you offer? Reputable companies typically offer warranties of minimum 10 years on materials and labor.
- What exact repair method do you recommend for my specific situation and why? Your provider may offer options such as wall anchors, steel piers, and carbon fiber. Asking allows you to compare suggested solutions between companies.
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 delivers durable, high-quality repairs. Swiftly addressing foundation issues helps prevent further structural damage.