Repair Foundation Costs

The foundation of a building can fail for many reasons, and it may develop cracks or begin to settle differently, necessitating repairs, as well. There are many signs that the building’s foundation is experiencing trouble, from doors and windows refusing to shut properly to flooding inside of the basement. It is entirely possible that cracks appear but go “dormant,” and it is best to hire experts to come and do an evaluation on any such issues.

And while it seems like a fatal problem, such issues can be addressed by experts. Repairs range widely from simple crack repair to jacking up an entire house and making repair foundations of all kinds. The most crucial factor is to be sure it is the foundation and not something like a high water table pushing water above the foundation, clogged drains backing up into the building, problems with water against the foundation, and more.

While it may not seem like a big deal, initially, almost any foundation problem tends to worsen over time. So, whether it is a crack repair that costs a few hundred to get examined and fixed or a rather major repair that involves lifting a house, it will pay off with a safe, stable, and dry house in the future.

Other considerations and costs

• Hiring the inspector to diagnose the problem is not the same as getting an estimate for the repair. To get an estimate means asking several local, licensed contractors to do the work according to the inspection report and suggestions received
• Attached structures like decks and garages can add to the total cost of the project because they may need to be addressed separately
• All of the landscaping and many plantings around homes will be removed to effect repairs, and mainly if they are an underlying cause for foundation issues, such as aggressive tree roots
• The type of repair needed can cause the total cost of foundation repair to skyrocket or remain very manageable. For example, if excavation and new concrete are part of the inspector’s recommended repairs, it may boost expenses substantially.
• Get a formal inspection with a full report on any issues and essential repairs, and then put that out to bid with an array of experts. Work only with those who are familiar and experienced in the type of repairs needed, and double-check that other homeowners in the area recommend them and have had success with their work.

Check out our guide if you need a loan for your home improvement project.

DIY considerations

• If any project could be said to be the very farthest from a DIY project, it is foundation repair. As the very base upon which the entire house rests, it has to be officially addressed by licensed engineers, inspectors, and properly qualified contractors.

References

• Craftsman Estimator Costbook, complete series year 2019.
• Latest prices found on Home Depot and other vendor Web sites.
• Literature review of DIY Web sites.