11 Best Foundation Companies in Portsmouth, VA

On average, Portsmouth homeowners spend around $3,041 on foundation repair. The amount you'll spend on foundation repair is based on a number of factors. Things like the type of repair needed, the size of your home, and the extent of the damage will all factor in. The fastest way to learn how much a job is going to cost is to speak with a local foundation repair company and schedule a free inspection and estimate.

Types of foundation repair include leak repair, crack repair, stabilization, underpinning, and waterproofing.

For both leak repair and crack repair, a technician will come to your home, perform an inspection, and use various repair techniques to remedy leaks or cracks. The amount you spend will vary greatly depending on the size and cause of the issue.

Stabilization involves reinforcing bowing walls by inserting carbon fiber or steel strips. The amount you spend will depend on the material chosen and the number of strips required. The cost of underpinning also varies. This process, sometimes referred to as leveling or piering, involves underpinning your foundation with concrete piers to level it; the cost will depend on how many piers are needed.

If you're interested in waterproofing your foundation or basement, we recommend talking to a waterproofing specialist. This process might include indoor waterproofing, outdoor waterproofing, or both.

One way to protect your foundation is to make sure that it has the proper level of moisture. Avoid letting the soil around your Portsmouth house become too wet or too dry – make changes to your gutter system to route water away, or water your foundation if it starts to get too dry. Additionally, make sure that you quickly identify and repair any leaking pipes or gutters.

If you have any concerns about your foundation, you can call a structural engineer for an evaluation. This will cost a few hundred dollars, but the engineer's consultation can provide you with a list of things to be aware of as well as additional steps to further protect your foundation. Lastly, if you're building a new home, be sure to have a soil report done. This can provide information about how well the soil on your property will be able to support a foundation, and can highlight any potential future issues.

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

Sometimes, foundation repairs can be considered capital improvements if they meet the criteria of an improvement that will add to a home's overall market value, prolong its life, or adapt it to new uses. In some cases, making capital improvements lets you qualify for tax breaks. (Contact your Virginia tax professional for the most accurate information.) Tax breaks aside, foundation repairs will generally have a positive effect on your home's value.

The amount of time a foundation repair takes varies greatly depending on the type of repair that is needed and the size of your home. Most repairs take anywhere from one to several weeks. Talk to your Portsmouth foundation repair professional for a more specific timeline for your project.