11 Best Foundation Companies in Vashon, WA

On average, Vashon homeowners pay around $3,041 for foundation repair, although the actual cost will depend on several factors. The fastest way to estimate the cost of a specific job is to solicit quotes from one or more local foundation repair companies. The amount you pay for a job will be affected by things like the size of your house and type of repair(s) needed.

The main types of foundation repair include crack repair, leak repair, underpinning, stabilization, and waterproofing.

Crack repair and leak repair are exactly as they sound: your foundation contractor will perform an inspection and complete any repairs necessary to remedy cracks or leaks. Costs will vary based on the size and cause of the problem.

Underpinning, also called leveling or piering, is when a contractor levels your foundation by underpinning it with large concrete piers. The price will be based on how many piers are needed. The price of stabilization varies similarly. This process reinforces bowing walls with steel or carbon fiber strips, and the total cost will depend on what material is used and how many strips are used.

Finally, waterproofing is an overarching term for a number of jobs intended to stop water from getting into your foundation or basement. This can involve exterior waterproofing, interior waterproofing, or both, and the price can vary widely. We recommend contacting a waterproofing specialist if you think your foundation needs waterproofing.

One way to protect your foundation is to make sure that it gets the right amount of moisture. Vashon sees more rain than many places, so be sure that your gutters and landscaping are arranged to prevent too much water from collecting near your foundation. Also make sure that you promptly identify and fix any leaking gutters or pipes.

If you think there may be any problems with your foundation, you can contact a structural engineer for an evaluation. This will cost a few hundred dollars, but the consultation can provide you with a list of things to look out for as well as steps you can take 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 regarding how well the soil on your property can support a foundation, and can highlight potential future issues.

Foundation repair usually requires a permit, but getting one shouldn't be your responsibility. Your foundation repair provider should put together all the permits and other documents required in Vashon, and should be able to provide the documents and/or explain the process if asked.

Signs that you're in need of foundation waterproofing include discoloration or odors, basement flooding, white powder or spots on your walls, uneven floors, hairline cracks, or signs of fungus, mildew, or mold. 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 is generally less expensive than exterior waterproofing. Exterior waterproofing can involve things like applying physical barriers to crawl spaces and basements, installing exterior drains, or changing your landscaping.

Although some foundation problems might appear small and not worth the cost to repair, when left untreated, they can result in larger and more expensive problems in the future. Foundation issues can also have underlying causes which are not obvious until after a professional inspection. It's important to repair these underlying issues as soon as possible. For these reasons, we advise against procrastinating on foundation repairs.