Your home foundation is like your skeleton. Without a strong foundation, your house wouldn't be able to stand. Therefore, when it's time to make the necessary repairs, you need to ensure you find the right foundation companies. After all, you don't want to trust your home foundation in the hands of an unreputable contractor. Before you decide on one to hire, here are some things you should know. Let's take a look for more information!

1. Estimates

Just how much of your foundation needs repair? Is it a small wall that had some damage? Did a roof cause extensive leaks and water damage throughout most of your walls? Is the foundation problem concentrated in the basement at the moment? Wherever your foundation damage is, you want an exact estimate of how much it will cost. A reputable foundation company shouldn't hesitate to provide you with a clear written estimate. That way you can assure that you're not getting any hidden fees. You can understand what costs are going toward labor hours and materials. As a result, you'll have time to plan how to pay for the project if needed.

Check out at least three different foundation companies. Diligence in terms of getting estimates can give you peace of mind that you're getting fair pricing. You can compare their estimated costs to the number of years of experience they have in foundational repair, as well as how long the job will take.

2. Project Experiences

When consulting with various foundation companies, find out how many years of experience they have. There are some companies that may have been in the business for decades, and it's great to try to find one that has a relevant amount of experience so you can rest assured they know what they're doing. In addition to the amount of time they've been working on repairs, you can ask them what type of foundation they've worked with. Have they handled foundations made from metal and or wood? According to Clever, wood foundations should last five to 40 years when installed properly. We will always recommend concrete foundations over wood.

3. Warranties

A warranty can provide extra insurance for any homeowner hiring a foundation company. After all, if something goes wrong with the initial repair, you want to ensure that it can be fixed as quickly as possible. With a warranty, the contractor agrees to return to make any necessary updates to previous repairs that have gone wrong. Under a warranty, you won't have to pay an additional fee for this service. Make sure you understand the length in terms of their warranty so you can ensure that you'll have the protection for as long as you're comfortable with.

4. Permits

Make sure that you're clear on permit acquisition before starting. Different local municipalities and states may have requirements on who should get the permit for such a project. So if the job of getting a permit for foundational work is in your hands, make it a priority. There may be a longer wait to get permits in certain areas depending on the need and processing. Time is of the essence when it comes to repairing your foundation. As mentioned, your foundation is a vital part of keeping your home upright. If you wait too long to get permits for repairs, then it can exacerbate preventable problems that can happen because the foundation wasn't fixed in time. If the contractor agrees to get the permit, then you have nothing to worry about.

5. Insurance

Ask if your foundation contractor has some sort of insurance. Insurance is helpful in case there are liability concerns. Depending on the extent of damage, your foundation will cause further damage to your home. So there may be certain dangers in terms of making these repairs. Both you and the contractor want to rest assured that there will be adequate coverage in case something happens to one of the workers. In most cases, contractors will have some type of insurance, but make sure you understand what the terms are.

6. Reputation

Before hiring any contractor to work on your home, make sure you're comfortable with their reputation in the industry. See if your foundation company is willing to provide you with one or more referrals. As long as they can stand on their work, they shouldn't hesitate to allow other clients to brag about their services to you. It would be a red flag if they hesitate to provide a client contact that they can trust. Failure to provide a reference may signify they may not have the experience they claim to have. It could also mean that they're just simply not on good terms with other clients.

In addition to referrals, see what online reviews are saying about the foundation company. There are several review sites you can use to check a contractor's reputation. The ideal ones include Google Reviews, Consumer Reviews, and Reddit. In some cases, some reviews may also enhance their feedback by adding photos or videos of the contractor's work.

7. Timeline

Remember that time is money, so you want a contractor who can deliver the project promptly. Of course, you don't want somebody rushing through your foundation as you want the project to be as secure and flawless as possible. That doesn't mean that you want a contractor who will drag things out, especially if they think they'll get more money for doing so. Be sure to ask them to specify a generic timeline when you're getting a cost estimate. The projected timeline should also be a major factor in whether you say yes or no. You should also ask them what they would do in the event of a scheduling emergency. In that case, remember to ask them what they would do to get back on track.

8. Main Contacts

Having your foundation repaired or replaced is a major job. If any issues arise, make sure that you know who to contact immediately. Understand who the main contacts are at the foundation company. You should know their names, titles, and the best way to contact them. By having a reliable main contact, you can reduce the chances of a problem getting dragged out. Depending on how long the project will go on, you may need to schedule a regular pow-wow or meeting until it's complete. Ask for the main contact's preferred method of communication. Do they prefer phone calls, texting, e-mail, or video chats? This is all very important information to know.

Your foundation is literally the supportive system that holds your home up. Therefore, it's vital to find the most professional foundation companies available in order to make the necessary updates. Whether your foundation has suffered water damage, mold, natural disasters, vermin infestations, or other issues, the right contractor can help get it back on track. Just make sure you're on the same page. Understanding what to look for in a foundation contractor can make the process easier. You risk the safety of your home by not handling repairs in a timely manner. If a problem has arisen, contact our team today at Foundations First Northwest for a consultation. We've been in the business for over 40 years and are proud to provide free estimates for homeowners. We look forward to hearing from you and working with you in the near future!