Foundation Repair Questions to Ask Your Contractor

contractor assessing foundation

Finding out that you have foundation problems is never an issue that you want to be faced with. However, if you discover that your home does have foundation issues, you should know how to address them adequately for a successful resolution.

Not all contractors are equal regarding their knowledge, experience and job performance. It’s up to you to do your due diligence in securing a company that knows what they’re doing to solve your foundation problems.

Unlike other industries requiring mandatory regulations, licensing and liability insurance, contractors who deal in fixing home foundation problems do not fall under these mandatory requirements. Therefore, choosing a contractor can be a challenge, and specific questions should be asked and addressed before the commencement of the work.

Here are some of the top questions that you should ask your Foundation Repair Contractor:

1. Are Foundation Repairs Necessary?

It depends. More often than not, the answer is “no”. As a home settles over time, it’s not unusual that minor cracks will appear on the foundation, but this doesn’t mean that these minor cracks require repair. Ask for an assessment from two independent contractors and make an informed decision based on their comparison. Don’t spend money if you don’t have to.

2. Are You Licensed and Insured?

This is an essential question because it will give you a sense of how professional and reputable the company you’re considering to do the work. Some repair companies may boast that they are experts in the field without explicitly stating that they are foundation repair contractors, so find this out upfront before you proceed.

3. The Cost & Time Factor

Get a complete written assessment in advance to determine how the job will be completed and how long the process will take to correct the problem. Getting this matter taken care of beforehand is a good way to avoid any surprises down the road. Ordinarily, the work can be completed in 1 to 5 days, depending on the extent of the damage and the contractor’s timetable for availability.

4. Do You Offer a Warranty?

Once again, not all contractors are created equal or reputable in this process; however, companies that are experts in this field will generally offer a warranty. These can be varying lengths of time, and some are transferable that cover you for workmanship and parts. It’s important that you read the fine print in order to understand your rights as a policyholder.

5. How Many Foundation Repairs Have You Completed?

Great question to ask because experience matters when it comes to repairing foundations. You want a company that has been in the field long enough to know what they are doing to provide you with a comfort level that you have the best team for the job.

6. Do You Have References I Can Contact?

Although this seems obvious, you should not hire a contractor that cannot give you a list of previous customers. Never settle for just one contact, but rather ask for several references to get a good feel that you will be dealing with a reputable company and their work is satisfactory.

7. Is Landscaping and Soil Advice Provided in Your Assessment?

Several causes contribute to foundation failure, with the most common being soil erosion, soil expansion, landslides and poor property drainage. In addition to the foundation repair work, you’ll want these to get corrected if required.

8. Finding the Best:

Companies like Conterra Foundation & Repair Ltd. offer a warranty; you deal with trained technicians, get a free inspection, written estimates, and transferable written warranties. Conterra Foundation & Repair Ltd. is a licensed drain repair company and carries liability insurance and WSIB for their employees. Contact Conterra Foundation & Repair Ltd. today for all your foundation needs.