FAQ
We understand you have questions. Here are a few answers to the most common ones we’ve heard after being in business for more than 40 years.
Q: What are different signs I might need foundation repairs?
A: Some of the most common signs of foundation movement include sticking doors, cracks in sheetrock, mortar or expansion joint separation in exterior brick, buckling or sloping floor, and separating frieze boards at the corners of the exterior veneer.
Q: How long does the process take to repair my foundation?
A: The average project will typically take a full nine-hour day, but this is also depending on the customized plan being executed. Poured in place drilled piers, sono-tubes, and spread footings all require a minimum of five days to cure before lifting the foundation and completing the project.
Q: What should my expectations be with the existing cosmetic distress, as well as new cosmetic distress from the repairs?
A: Typically, the longer you wait to address your foundation following the cosmetic distress, the less likely the cracks or separation will go away. Buckled or creased floors will likely need to be replaced following the repairs, but every structure responds differently. New cracks from the installation and lifting process are possible, but not a common occurrence. One thing we can assure you is that your chances of minimizing collateral damages and maximizing the chances of recovery is at its peak when using us.
Q: Do you carry insurance?
A: Absolutely. We can provide a copy of our policy upon request.
Q: What types of warranty do you offer, and is it transferrable?
A: All warranties are transferable, but the new buyer must contact us within 60 days of purchasing the home. We offer a lifetime warranty on our steel, hybrid, and pressed piling systems, a 10 year limited warranty on our drilled pier system, a 5 year limited warranty on our spread footing, sono-tubes, mud jack work, and drainage and root barrier work, and a 2 year limited warranty on our wood replacement services, rework of existing supports on pier and beam under structure, and new pad and block systems.
Q: What does the average repair typically cost?
A: The average repair for either a slab or pier and beam foundation will be around $4,800, and this includes your engineer report, permit, and plumbing test following the repairs.
Q: Will my plumbing break when repairing my foundation?
A: Depending on how much the foundation moved prior to the repairs, or how long you may have been waiting to address the underlying issue, a leak may already exist that you are unaware of. Fixing a broken plumbing line prior to addressing the foundation will either limit the amount of recovery we will be able to get out of the lift, or we will likely break the repaired plumbing, causing you to pay for the repairs a second time. This is why a hydrostatic plumbing test by a licensed plumber is required following the foundation repairs.
Q: Will my landscaping be damaged as a result of the repairs?
A: While we cannot guarantee the survival of your valued landscaping, we can assure you we take every precaution to ensure the survival of transplanted bushes by preserving as much of the root system as possible and replanting them in loose dirt under shade during the installation process. Spoils from the excavation are placed on either plywood or tarp to protect the grass, and high traffic areas are covered with plywood to prevent trampling the yard. It is also of paramount importance to test the sprinkler both before and after the repairs, since sprinkler lines often need to be cut temporarily to install the pier system.
Q: How long should I wait to make cosmetic repairs?
A: The general rule in the industry has ranged from 60 to 90 days, but it really varies based on the age of the home, how severe the movement was, and how much the foundation was lifted to recovery. In cases where minimal repairs were needed and the foundation was no greater than a half inch off, it could be as soon as 2 weeks. We can consult with you on this during the initial assessment, since every scenario will be different.