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How to Choose the Right Foundation Contractor

How to Choose the Right Foundation Contractor

A building’s foundation is its fundamental support system, and choosing the right foundation contractor is important in new construction and foundation repairs.

This guide contains practical tips for choosing a foundation contractor, including:

  • Evaluating your new foundation needs
  • Evaluating your foundation repair needs
  • Assessing contractor qualifications
  • Requesting complete estimates or repair quotes
  • Checking references
  • Conducting in-person interviews

Armed with this knowledge, you’ll be equipped to make an informed decision. Moreover, you can contact Foundation Rescue Supply to refer qualified contractors in your area.

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Foundation Solutions for New Construction

When building a new home, it’s important to fully assess your desired property and home location. Is the property situated on unique topography, such as a hill, mountainside or overhang? Is there a high water table? This may be common near lakes, rivers or regional waterway areas. Is there excessive water/drainage surrounding the property that could generate hydrostatic pressure and/or cause settlement over time? This may be common on properties that slope towards the building structure. Depending on your region and location, determine if you need a geotechnical or soil study.

Assessing Foundation Repair Needs on Existing Buildings

Before considering a contractor, you must know what work needs to be done on your foundation. Shifts in the foundation can impact the entire structure. Check your windows, doors, and floors for signs that things are moving. For example, doors or windows that are hard to open or close can indicate that the walls have moved.

Cracks are usually another sign that you may need a foundation repair. Watch for these types of cracks to ensure you catch issues at their first appearance:

  • Cracks around the door or window frames, particularly if they widen at the top into a distinct “V” shape
  • Stair-stepping cracks or long horizontal cracks in brickwork or the foundation
  • Gaps between base molding and floor covering, especially if they are uneven
  • Cracks around the footing or base of the exterior
  • Gaps between the garage door and pavement
  • A leaning chimney, especially when it leans away from the home structure

Remember, foundation cracks are the most common sign of trouble. They’re often caused by uneven or overly saturated soil, leading the foundation to settle, lift, rotate, or bulge. By being attentive to these indicators, you can better understand the extent of the problem. A qualified foundation repair contractor will help determine the specific repair requirements necessary for your foundation.

Evaluating Foundation Contractor Qualifications: Experience, Licensing, and Insurance

If you have an issue with your foundation, you want to work with the most reputable contractor to conduct the repair. Foundation Rescue Supply has an extensive network of foundation repair contractors across the East Coast, Midwest, and Southeast. Evaluating qualifications is the first step in hiring the best foundation contractors.

First, examine their relevant experience in the industry. Ask about their past performance on similar projects, paying attention to the scope, square footage, and conditions involved. What’s more, learn about the superintendent or foreman overseeing your project. This individual should possess formal training, manufacturer certifications, safety qualifications and extensive project management experience.

Second, a qualified contractor will have crews that undergo training and potentially even certification by the manufacturer of the products they install. Foundation Rescue Supply provides training to our contractor network.

Additionally, a reputable contractor should have a robust safety program, which includes pre-task planning, hazard assessment, and control measures. Look for evidence that the contractor actively mitigates risks through engineering controls, administrative controls, and appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) requirements.

Lastly, don’t overlook the importance of licensing, bonding, and insurance. Make sure the contractor possesses the licenses and certifications required by local authorities. In addition,

verify that they carry adequate insurance coverage, including liability insurance and worker’s compensation, to protect both you and the workers during the project.

Requesting and Comparing Contractor Quotes

Once you’ve researched potential foundation contractors, the next step is to request quotes for your specific project. A quote primarily focuses on the financial cost of the project. The quote you receive will reflect the costs associated with the equipment, materials and manpower for your project.

Foundation repair costs can vary significantly. The price will depend on the specific work you require from the foundation contractor. The final price will be influenced by factors such as soil conditions, site access, foundation materials (piers, brackets, extensions) and foundation type.

When comparing quotes from different contractors, carefully review the scope of work outlined in each quote to ensure an apples-to-apples comparison. Assess the materials used, depths, and variables (such as extensions). Ensure they meet your expectations and requirements. Pay attention to any additional costs or exclusions and seek clarification if needed. You can select the contractor that best fits your needs and budget by thoroughly understanding their quote and terms.

Checking References and Past Projects

In addition to requesting quotes, conduct a reference check for each potential foundation contractor. This goes beyond relying solely on online reviews—you want a more comprehensive and honest assessment. Proactively reach out to previous clients and ask the right questions.

Request references for similar projects in various locations to gauge the contractor’s expertise and adaptability to different conditions. When speaking with references, ask about the following:

  • Pricing – Was the bidder a low-cost provider? Were there change orders for unanticipated costs?
  • Quality
  • Cleanliness
  • Professionalism and punctuality
  • Communication throughout the process

Meeting and Interviewing Potential Contractors

While speaking with references is important, conducting in-person meetings with potential foundation contractors is crucial. You’ll get a better impression of each contractor and can ask questions relevant to your project.

Prepare a comprehensive list of detailed questions to ask each contractor during these sessions. Ask about their experience with projects of a similar size and the number of current projects. Request a reference list of previous clients as well. Additionally, inquire about their relationships with suppliers, as this can indicate their reliability and ability to source quality materials.

You’ll likely talk to contractors over the phone first. But after this, prioritize meeting face-to-face with your top three or four contractors. Pay attention to how they present themselves during this initial meeting, as it often reflects their work ethic. Are they attentive, engaged, and proactive in asking questions? Can they effectively explain the process they would follow for your foundation repair?

The in-person meeting should leave you feeling confident in the contractor’s qualifications. Evaluate their organization and accessibility, verifying they’re easy to reach and have a reliable communication system. A great contractor will keep you informed and involved throughout the project.

Find the Right Foundation Contractor for Your Home

Investing in a reputable and trustworthy foundation contractor will provide peace of mind. Take your time researching contractors, evaluating their references, and interviewing the project managers. Finding a contractor with relevant experience who aligns with your style is essential.

Foundation Rescue Supply is one of the nation’s largest distributors of foundation repair and waterproofing products. We have an extensive contractor network that can help you. Contact our team today for a contractor referral.