How to Choose a Great Foundation Repair Contractor?

The foundation is the most important part of your home, on which your house has been built. So when it shows signs of distress and needs repair jobs, you cannot just hire any Tom, Dick or Harry to fix your foundation problems. You hire a licenced foundation repair contractor.

You have to take into account a number of factors while selecting a foundation repair contractor. You cannot trust a company simply because it advertises widely on the internet or in the yellow pages.

Licence and Insurance

It is necessary to hire a foundation repair contractor with skill, experience, good work ethics and credentials. A legally valid licence ensures that the contractor you are hiring doesn’t indulge in unscrupulous practices.

You can even check out a contractor’s track record, past history and credentials on the licensing board of your city or town. Proper insurance coverage ensures that you are not held financially liable for any worker accident or injury that takes place on your premises.

Multiple Quotes

It is wise to ask for quotes/estimates from at least 3 contractors. It is also necessary to compare their terms and conditions as well as the materials they will use. Price should not always be the most determining factor.

Written Agreement

Your foundation repair contractor should provide you with a written and signed agreement that explains all the terms and conditions in details. This helps to prevent misunderstandings and miscommunication later on.

Read through the written agreement thoroughly and ask for clarifications if you have any doubt.

Always pay special attention to the guarantee clauses. Try to read through the fine print and understand the contract before signing on the dotted line. Beware of contractors who create pressure on you to sign the agreement right away.

Previous Complaints

When checking out a potential contractor’s previous customer complaints, you have to understand that it is virtually impossible for any contractor to thoroughly please all his previous clients.

However, you still have to pay special attention to how poorly the work was executed, whether it was left unfinished or not, whether the contractor refused to honor the warranty or disputed the warranty coverage or delayed fixing a problem that cropped up during the warranty period. Many foundation repair contractor’s damage sprinkler systems, plumbing, landscaping and other property features while doing the repair job.

Also check out how well the disputes were resolved and if the problems were fixed. While hiring a foundation repair contractor, remember to grill him about the issues mentioned above and question them about their work procedure and work ethics. If you sense anything fishy or do not feel that the contractor is trustworthy enough, move on to another contractor.

Danger Signs

Beware of outdated credentials and absence of ID. You should also be wary of hiring a contractor who demands upfront payment before starting work and offers discounts for clients willing to pay cash. These are tax evading tactics.

Another danger sign you should be aware of – your foundation repair contractor should not ask you to obtain building permits. Stay away from companies that refuse to provide referrals.