How To Choose a Foundation Repair Company
Working with a qualified foundation repair business is important for properly evaluating the damage and making the right repairs. We suggest focusing on these main factors.
Experience
Look for a reliable local foundation company with a proven history of successfully fixing foundations. Technicians should have extensive experience with current repair methods and materials. Contact the company to ask how long the business has served your community.
Reputation
Spend time checking online reviews, browsing the Better Business Bureau, and requesting local references. This will help confirm that a provider consistently delivers quality work and great customer service. Take note of complaints mentioning faulty repairs or poor service.
Licensing and Insurance
Make sure any professional you hire has the appropriate credentials, bonds, and coverage for liability and workers' compensation. There are no state-level licensing requirements for contractors in Washington, but all must register with the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries. Contractors must be bonded and insured in order to register. Make sure to check with your city or county government to find out if there are any additional local requirements. There may be additional requirements for contractors to do certain concrete work.
Warranties
Choose a company that offers long transferable warranties of at least a decade, ideally lifetime guarantees, to back their foundation repairs. This demonstrates confidence in the quality of their work and offers protection if future issues arise.
Questions To Ask Foundation Repair Companies
During your assessment of potential foundation repair companies, make sure to ask precise questions such as:
- Can you provide a complete written project scope and cost estimate? Asking for a quote in writing helps protect you from unexpected expenses.
- What options do you have for financing? Providers often offer payment plans for larger foundation repairs.
- What guarantees do you provide? Reliable companies typically provide labor and materials warranties of at least 10 years.
- What repairs would you recommend for my situation, and why? Your contractor may consider options such as carbon fiber, wall anchors, and steel piers. By asking, you can get an idea of what solutions a company offers and compare between providers.
- 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 attempting to bill you for extra work.
- Realistically, how long will repairs take to complete? Look for providers that provide reasonable estimates.
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 high-quality, durable repairs. Swiftly fixing foundation issues helps prevent future structural damage.