How To Choose A Foundation Repair Company

Choosing the right person for the job matters just as much as choosing the right tool. Foundation repair is no exception.

We are well aware of how overwhelming discovering that your home may have foundation issues can be. Searching online, asking people you know for references, getting estimates, making your way through reviews and wondering why different companies seem to recommend completely different solutions for what, on paper, appears to be the same problem.

The good news is that choosing a foundation repair company doesn't have to feel like taking a leap of faith. We'll walk through some of the questions worth asking and the qualities worth looking for, so you can make an informed decision with confidence.

Inspection vs Sales Pitch.

This is the first thing you should pay attention to. The way a company approaches your home. A contractor can’t arrive knowing the answers. They have to inspect. Every house, every job is different and unique. They have to ask questions, looking inside and outside. Evaluate drainage and cracks, consider soil conditions. Only then will they begin to discuss solutions.

Remember that it is not about deciding how many piers to install, but about understanding why movement occurred the first place. Only then will they have the necessary knowledge to repair not only the foundation but also fix the underlying issue so that it won’t happen again.

One-Size-DOES-NOT-Fit-All.

Remember our Mjolnir analogy? Every home is different, therefore a contractor recommending exactly the same repair on every house should raise questions. Different homes may require drainage improvements, crawlspace support, moisture management, helical piers, push piers or many different combinations of several solutions.

Again, addressing the cause, not the symptoms.

Transparency matters.

One thing we're especially proud of at iFix is taking the time to explain every recommendation in plain English. What we find, what type of repair we recommend and why, what are the alternatives, what happens if nothing is done, what the expected outcome is and taking time to answer whatever questions they might have.

Whether during an inspection or through this blog, our mission has always been the same: helping homeowners understand their homes.

Remember that if you leave an inspection understanding more about your home than when it began, that's a good sign. Good contractors educate, regardless if you go with them or not.

On the same token, DO NOT be afraid to ask questions.

If no immediate questions spring to mind when talking with the contractors, this might be some good ones to start with:

What is causing the movement?

Is this damage recent or old?

What are my repair options?

Why is this recommendation the best fit?

Are there any additional services needed?

What kind of warranty is offered?

What maintenance will be needed afterward?

Real pros always welcome questions.

Reviews are useful, but read them carefully.

Reviews can be valuable, very much so. But you gotta go beyond the star ratings. Read the comments, and look for things like clear communication, punctuality, professionalism, cleanliness, follow-ups and if homeowners felt more informed or pressured.

Going Cheap Is Not Always Cheapest

Everyone likes saving money, however foundation repair isn't the place to compare estimates alone. Sometimes upfront prices do not include things like correcting drainage, or addressing the underlying causes. You might need to install additional services not previously discussed, or sometimes, plain and simply, they don’t do a good enough job. And in each of these cases, spending less today might mean spending more tomorrow.

Good foundation repair isn't about spending the most money. It's about spending money on the right solution.

A House Is A System

It is not only about the house. The foundation may be the symptom, but the cause is often somewhere else. A good contractor goes beyond the foundation. Remember that your home is a whole system. Drainage, grading, gutters, downspouts, soil moisture, nearby trees, plumbing leaks, crawlspace. Foundations rarely move in isolation. If an inspection does not include all these, then the job is not complete.

What About DIY?

There are plenty of things homeowners can (and should) do themselves (we have a bunch of handy guides for that). Among them :

Monitor cracks, document changes, inspect drainage, extend downspouts, maintain gutters and control irrigation. But diagnosis and structural repair belong in experienced hands. The goal of DIY isn't replacing professionals, but preventing small problems from becoming bigger ones.

Choosing a foundation repair company isn't about who promises the fastest fix or the lowest price, but about finding someone who understands your home and its needs. Someone who will investigate thoroughly, recommend the right solution for your specific situation, and explain exactly why that recommendation makes sense. In short, finding the company which will find the right solution to your problem.

At iFix, every repair begins with understanding. We look beyond the obvious to understand the big picture: soil conditions, drainage, moisture patterns, crawlspaces and structural movement. We will always recommend the solution your home actually needs and we’ll always make sure to explain our findings clearly so you can make the decision that is right for your home.

And now is your time to choose your foundation repair company. And as the Grail Knight said: ‘Choose wisely’.