How To Choose a Foundation Repair Company
You need a good foundation repair company to accurately evaluate issues and make appropriate repairs. Do your research and focus on these important factors when selecting the right company.
Experience
Look for a reliable local foundation company with many years 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
Reading online reviews, checking the Better Business Bureau, and requesting local references helps confirm that a company routinely provides good workmanship and great customer service. Pay attention if you see numerous complaints about faulty repairs or poor service.
Licensing and Insurance
Make sure any company you hire has the right licenses, bonds, and coverage for liability and workers' compensation. The state of Texas does not issue state-level general contractor licenses, although all contractors must hold a valid state business license. Your city, county, or municipal government may have local licensing requirements, so make sure to verify this information before signing a contract. There may be additional requirements for contractors to do certain concrete work.
Warranties
Look for a company that provides lengthy transferable warranties for a minimum of a decade, or preferably lifetime guarantees, to back its work. This demonstrates that the company stands behind its work and safeguards you if issues come up in the future.
Questions To Ask Foundation Repair Companies
As you evaluate potential foundation repair companies, make sure to ask specific questions such as:
- 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 foundation defects 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 unnecessary work.
- Realistically, how long will repairs take? Look for companies that provide reasonable estimates.
- What exact repair method do you recommend for this specific situation and why? Your provider 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 options do you have for financing? Many providers offer payment plans for larger foundation projects.
- What guarantees do you provide? Reputable providers typically provide labor and materials warranties for at least 10 years.
Carefully reviewing foundation repair companies will help you locate the right one for you. Providers that can thoroughly answer these questions will likely provide long-lasting, high-quality repairs. Swiftly fixing foundation issues helps prevent future structural damage.