11 Best Foundation Companies in Fredericksburg, VA

On average, Fredericksburg homeowners pay around $3,042 for foundation repair, although the actual cost will vary depending on several factors. The best way to estimate the cost of a specific project is to request quotes from a few local foundation repair companies. Your total cost will be determined 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 what they sound like: your foundation contractor will perform an inspection and complete any repairs necessary to remedy cracks or leaks. Costs will depend on the size and cause of the problem.

Underpinning, also called leveling or piering, is the process of leveling your foundation by underpinning it with large concrete piers. The price will be based on how many piers are required. The price of stabilization is also variable. This process fixes bowing walls by reinforcing them with steel or carbon fiber strips, and the total cost will depend on the material chosen and how many strips are used.

Finally, waterproofing is an overarching term for a number of jobs that help prevent water from getting into your foundation. This can include interior waterproofing, exterior waterproofing, or both, and costs can vary widely. We recommend contacting a waterproofing specialist if you're planning to waterproof your foundation.

If you're building a new house, make sure that a soil report is completed. A soil report will contain information regarding how well your soil can support a foundation, and can provide you with a heads-up about any potential future issues. If your concerns are about an existing house, for a few hundred dollars, you can get an inspection and report by a structural engineer. The engineer can alert you to any things that could use some attention, and advise you on avoiding future problems.

You also want to make sure that the moisture around your foundation is at an appropriate level. Don't let the soil around your Fredericksburg 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 pipes or gutters, so you can get them repaired quickly.

Your foundation repair professional should be the one to get the permits. You can ask the company to provide a detailed explanation of the steps in its process and to see the paperwork and permits it has acquired to verify that everything is properly authorized per Fredericksburg regulations.

Indicators that you need foundation waterproofing include discoloration or odors, white powder or spots on your walls, basement flooding, hairline cracks, uneven floors, or signs of fungus, mold, or mildew. Your contractor can tell you whether you need interior or exterior waterproofing.

Interior waterproofing can involve the installation of sump pumps and drains or the use of sealants and tends to be less costly than exterior waterproofing. Exterior waterproofing can involve things like applying physical barriers to crawl spaces and basements, installing exterior drains, or making landscape changes.

You may be able to take care of small hairline cracks on your own, but in most cases, it's a good idea to consult a professional before you start any foundation maintenance. While you may not want to pay someone for a job you feel you can handle yourself, mistakes made during foundation repair can cost you much more down the line.