11 Best Foundation Companies in Fairfax, VA

On average, Fairfax homeowners spend about $3,041 on foundation repair. The amount you'll spend on foundation repair depends on a number of factors. Things like the type of repair needed, the extent of the damage, and the size of your home will all play a part. The easiest way to find out how much a job could cost is to contact a local foundation repair expert and schedule a free inspection and estimate.

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

Crack repair and leak repair are what they sound like: 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 amount you can expect to spend depends on how many piers are required. The price of stabilization varies similarly. This process involves fixing bowing walls by reinforcing them with steel or carbon fiber 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 number of jobs designed to prevent water from getting into your foundation. This can involve interior waterproofing, exterior waterproofing, or both, and the price can vary widely. We recommend contacting a waterproofing specialist if you're interested in waterproofing your foundation.

If you're constructing a new home, have a soil report completed. This report contains information about how well the soil on a given piece of land can support a foundation, and can offer you a heads-up about any 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. The engineer can alert you to any issues that could use some attention, and advise you on how to avoid future problems.

You also want to make sure that the moisture around your foundation is appropriate. Don't let the soil around your Fairfax home get too dry or too wet; at different times, you might find yourself having to reroute your gutters or water your foundation. You should also stay vigilant for leaky gutters or pipes, so you can get them repaired promptly.

Foundation repair usually requires a permit, but acquiring one should not be your responsibility. Your foundation repair provider should get the permit and all other documents required in Fairfax, and should be able to provide the documents and/or explain the process if asked.

We recommend that you do not put off foundation repairs. A single issue may have an underlying cause that could lead to numerous future problems, and it's better to treat the root of the issue as fast as possible. A minor problem now could become a large and expensive one in the future if the signs are ignored.

Foundation repairs completed by a reliable company should last a long time. Large repairs, like basement waterproofing, can be involved and expensive but are very helpful in mitigating the risk of future issues.