5 Best Foundation Companies in St. Marys, PA

On average, St. Marys homeowners pay around $2,812 for foundation repair, although the cost will vary widely depending on several factors. The easiest way to get an estimate for the cost of a specific job is to get quotes from a few local foundation repair companies. The total price will be affected by things like the type of the repair(s) and the size of your house.

The main types of foundation repair include crack repair, leak repair, underpinning, stabilization, and waterproofing.

Crack repair and leak repair are exactly as they sound: your foundation contractor will perform an inspection and take necessary measures to remedy cracks or leaks. The price will vary depending 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 required. The price of stabilization varies similarly. This process fixes bowing walls by reinforcing them with steel or carbon fiber strips. The total cost will depend on what material is used and how many strips are used.

Lastly, waterproofing is an overarching term for a category of repairs intended to stop water from getting into your foundation or basement. This can include interior waterproofing, exterior waterproofing, or both, and the price can vary widely. We recommend contacting a waterproofing specialist if you're planning to waterproof your foundation.

To protect your foundation, you should make sure that it has the right amount of moisture. Avoid letting the soil around your St. Marys house become too wet or too dry – make changes to your gutter system to route water away, or water your foundation if it starts to get too dry. Additionally, be sure to promptly identify and repair any leaking gutters or pipes.

If you have any concerns about your foundation, you can call a structural engineer for an evaluation. This will cost a few hundred dollars, but the engineer's consultation can net you a list of things to be aware of as well as more ideas to help you further protect your foundation. Lastly, if you're constructing a new home, make sure that you have a soil report done. This can provide information about how well the soil on your property can support a foundation, and can highlight any potential future issues.

A permit is normally required for foundation repair, but obtaining one isn't your responsibility. Your foundation repair provider should put together all the permits and other documents required in St. Marys, and should be able to provide the documents and/or explain the process if asked.

In general, foundation repairs will have a positive effect on your home's value. In some cases, you may be able to consider foundation repair a capital improvement, which can sometimes help you qualify for tax breaks. Generally, a capital improvement is defined as one that will add to a home's overall value, prolong its life, or adapt it to new uses. Contact your Pennsylvania tax professional to learn more.

We highly recommend contacting your home insurance provider before you start any foundation repairs to figure out what might be covered. In general, foundation repairs aren't covered by your home insurance unless they're to repair damage that was caused by a covered weather event.