As you look around you will find many different choices when it comes to foundation repair methods and foundation repair products. Buyers beware! You will see television ads with high priced spokesmen telling you that their method of foundation repair is the best. You will find articles and websites on the Internet telling you why their methods are the best. You will hear radio advertising tell you that XYZ Foundation Repair is the best because they have been around the longest or they are the cheapest. You will hear and read a lot of advertising, but with some basic information you can determine if what you are being told is correct.

First, not all foundation repair products are made equally. (There are currently no standards that dictate how push pier systems are to be designed and tested. Therefore, many manufacturers of push pier systems simply fabricate a concept and then test according to their own self-approved methods. This often results in pier system capacities which are inappropriate and not representative of actual field applications). Not all installers are trained equally. There is not one single choice of foundation repair product for all situations. Make sure that what is supporting your largest investment is made by a nationally respected manufacturer that stands behind their products. There are a lot of local foundation repair contractors that work out of their garages, building inferior products without quality control standards. There are also installers that have little to no training in the art of foundation repair. (Ask question when you have bids done, the more time the specialist spends with you the more you will know about their knowledge and training). When dealing with structural components, especially under your home, the foundation repair contractor that you choose needs to have undergone extensive training. This training generally comes from the manufacturer that they represent or a national association. (Our staff participates  in yearly training provided by our manufacturer).

The hiring of a foundation engineer is the single most important piece of advice. This engineer will evaluate your structure and give you a written analysis of the structure.

THINGS TO LOOK FOR AND ASK WHEN GETTING BIDS FOR YOUR HOME

Have questions ready for the estimator?

He should be able to spend enough time to adequately  answer all your questions, determine what is going on with your home, show you (video, brochures, booklets) everything necessary for you to understand what is going on with your home? Why your home is having problems? and what the best solution to repair your home.

If the specialist cannot answer most or all of your questions then that person should be able to get an answer to you the same day

You should get at least three  bids and compare everything from quality, price, integrity of company and work, (why does one bid require more product or cost more than the other) always ask questions?

Ask for references all good companies have them.

THINGS YOU SHOULD NOT DO

• do not do it yourself
• do not make your decision based on advertising alone
• do not take a strangers word as the truth, always do your homework and research the company, check with the BBB
• do not Be swayed by price alone, you should get at least three bids and compare
• do not Allow bottle jacks to be used on your home