11 Best Foundation Companies in Charleston, SC

On average, Charleston homeowners pay about $2,732 for foundation repair, although the cost will vary depending on several factors. The best way to estimate the cost of a specific project is to ask for quotes from one or more local foundation repair companies. The total price will be influenced by things like the type of the repair(s) and the size of your house.

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

Crack repair and leak repair are exactly as they sound: your foundation repair expert will perform an inspection and complete any repairs necessary to remedy cracks or leaks. Costs will depend on the size and cause of the issue.

Underpinning, also called leveling or piering, is the process of leveling your foundation by underpinning it with large concrete piers. The cost will depend on how many piers are needed. The price of stabilization is also variable. This process involves fixing bowing walls by reinforcing them with carbon fiber or steel strips, and the 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 prevent water from getting into your foundation. 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 building a new house, have a soil report completed. This report contains information regarding how well your soil can support a foundation, and can provide you with a heads-up about potential future issues. If you have concerns about an existing home, for a few hundred dollars, you can get an inspection and report by a structural engineer. They can point you to any current problems that could use some attention, and advise you on avoiding future problems.

It's also important that the moisture around your foundation is appropriate, particularly when the weather gets hot. As Charleston sees more rain than many other places, keep an eye on your gutters and landscaping to make sure too much water isn't getting into your soil or foundation. You should also stay vigilant for leaky pipes or gutters and repair them quickly.

A permit is normally required for foundation repair, but getting one shouldn't be your responsibility. Your foundation repair provider should get all the permits and other documents required in Charleston, and should be able to explain the process and/or provide the documents if asked.

Foundation repairs can 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. In some cases, making capital improvements helps you qualify for tax breaks. (Speak with your South Carolina tax professional for more information.) Tax breaks aside, foundation repairs will generally have a positive effect on the value of your home.

We highly recommend contacting your home insurance provider before beginning any foundation repair project to learn about what may be covered. Typically, foundation repairs won't be covered by home insurance unless they're to fix damage that was caused by a covered weather event.