How To Choose a Foundation Repair Company
Hiring a qualified foundation repair provider ensures you have someone who will inspect the damage thoroughly and make appropriate fixes. It's important to do your research beforehand, focusing on the factors listed here.
Experience
Look for a reliable local foundation provider 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 the business has served your community.
Reputation
Spend time researching online reviews, browsing the Better Business Bureau, and asking for local references. This will help confirm that a provider consistently delivers quality work and great customer service. Take note of any complaints mentioning faulty repairs or poor service.
Licensing and Insurance
Only hire providers that are properly licensed, bonded, and have both workers compensation and liability insurance. The state of Texas does not issue state-level general contractor licenses, although all contractors are required to hold a valid state business license. Your city, county, or municipality might have local licensing requirements, so be sure that you verify this information prior to signing a contract. 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 services. This displays confidence that the company's work is top-notch and provides protection should problems come up later.
Questions To Ask Foundation Repair Companies
During your assessment of potential foundation repair companies, make sure to ask in-depth questions such as:
- What type of guarantees do you offer? Trustworthy providers often offer warranties of minimum 10 years on labor and materials.
- What exact repair method would you recommend for this specific situation and why? Your provider may offer options such as wall anchors, carbon fiber, and steel piers. Asking allows you to compare suggested solutions between companies.
- Realistically, how long will repairs take to complete? Look for providers that provide reasonable estimates.
- Can you provide a cost estimate and project scope in writing? Make sure to get quotes in writing to protect yourself from unexpected costs.
- 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 a vague answer, it may be trying to bill you for extra work.
- What options do you have for financing? Providers often offer payment plans for larger foundation repairs.
Taking time to vet foundation repair companies will help you select the right one for you. Providers that can thoroughly answer these questions will likely offer long-lasting, high-quality repairs. Promptly addressing foundation issues helps prevent future structural damage.