There can be a number of reasons why you might need to hire a Foundation Repair Contractor in SoCal. It could be something as simple and unavoidable as an earthquake (where you need a seismic retrofitting. Or it could just be that you need a structural engineer or general contractor to help you brace, retrofit or rework the structure based on a renovation, faulty construction, or other factors within and outside your control. By the time you’ve discovered that reinforcement is needed for a soft story building, you may not even have much time to do much research or determine which soft story reinforcement contractor will best meet your needs. So, here are some tips to look for when you’re hiring a Foundation Repair Contractor.
What about References?
Every good foundation repair contractor should have at least some references, whether they are good or bad. If they don’t want to give you a list of satisfied customers, you may still be able to find reviews and other company details by searching for their company on Google. A search may also turn up any legal issues, lawsuits, or other details regarding the company or the contractors working there. While not every review has to be perfect, it’s important to get a sense of whether the overall experience has been a good one for their customers.
If you’re having a hard time finding a general contractor who can take on your project, you can also take the opposite approach. Ask your friends and family members for referrals. It’s a great way to find a great reliable soft story reinforcement contractor without the hassle, and your friend and family member may have already done all the legwork and asked all the questions to make sure they are reliable and knowledgeable.
What about Licenses, Insurance & Permits?
Yep, it’s true. Soft story contractors need more than just a 5-minute PowerPoint presentation or a quick, online certification to be legally allowed to offer their services as a business in SoCal. If the person doesn’t have a license or insurance, it could be that they are sub-contractors under a general contractor who does. You need to know what the situation is, and be aware of how that could affect any retrofitting work that they do. Will the general contractor be reviewing the work? Will be he on the project as well? Also, you need to make sure that the Foundation Repair Contractor has insurance in case of an accident, injury, or even damage to your property. Then, too, as a licensed and insured general contractor, the person will also need to have all the required building permits for the job.
What about Experience?
Always ask a lot of questions about the experience and background of your Foundation Repair Contractor, particularly around whether the person has been involved in seismic retrofitting, reinforcement of soft story buildings, and other retrofit programs. It’s nearly impossible to do work in SoCal without at least some familiarity, but you’ll need to ask about specific examples and experience to find out the depth of the person’s experience and knowledge. Beyond just experience with the type of soft story buildings, as well as moment frame, cantilever columns, and sheer wall, the soft story reinforcement contractor should also have knowledge of the local construction conditions, factors, and techniques that come into play. For example, are they specifically experienced in dealing with seismic retrofitting and reinforcement?
What about Warranty?
A warranty is really just a written guarantee, but it can be one of the most important factors you need to consider when you consider hiring a Foundation Repair Contractor to retrofit or reinforce your soft story buildings. There are a number of factors you need to consider when you ask about the warranty. Find out if their warranty agreement is in writing, but also find out if there are specific requirements for the warranty from your insurance provider. This is another great opportunity to do more research on the companies that you’re considering. If the company has been around for 10 years, they have a solid staff, rave reviews, and all the other factors really check out, you can probably rely on the fact that the warranty is solid.
What you’re looking to determine is whether the company is going to be around for the next ten years, and whether they will really hold up to their end of the warranty or guarantee about repair, service, and support if you have any issues or need further repairs or retrofits that are covered under the warranty. Some companies or soft story contractors will promise you anything and everything to get you to hire them for the job, but then they’ll disappear, be unresponsive, or just refuse to hold up to the terms of the agreement.
Next Step: Hire a Foundation Repair Contractor
It’s not an easy decision to hire a Foundation Repair Contractor. There are so many variables that you must consider, and you may be uncertain about which one is the best choice. Here’s the bottom line: Nobody is perfect, so you will not find a general contractor who has never had a problem in some way or another. You need and want an honest and knowledgeable Foundation Repair Contractor who will work with you to fulfill your needs. You also need someone that has proven themselves to be experienced and trustworthy based on the customer reviews and testimonials that you’ve researched, read and spoken with. You must determine whether the contractor has the level of knowledge and experience to get the job done right the first time. That’s what the license, certifications, insurance, and warranty are all about. You do your due diligence, but you also protect yourself and your property against even those accidents and experiences that are beyond your control. The best scenario is when you have done all the groundwork. You’ve found the best Foundation Repair Contractor and then the whole project is completed without a single delay, issue, or problem.
7 thoughts on “Top 5 Tips for Hiring a Foundation Repair Contractor”
I thought that it was helpful that you recommended to check the warranties that are offered by a company that has been in business for a while. My wife and I have been talking about who we are going to hire for our foundation. It needs to have some routine testing done to make sure it is in good condition. To be sure that they will be the right one to hire, I will check the warranties that they will offer.
As I was mowing the lawn yesterday, I noticed that there are some pretty big cracks in my foundation under the deck. I found it helpful when you said to check if there are requirements for the warranty from the insurance. I’ll have to get a few estimates from different contractors to make sure the warranties are in my favor.
It did catch my attention when you said that you will get a sense of whether or not you will have a good experience with a foundation repair contractor when you check their reviews on Google. My parents will find this tip handy because they need to have the foundation of their house repaired before Christmas. They mentioned that the cracks in the walls of their basement started to spread rapidly. It is crucial for them to hire a highly recommended foundation repair company.
I liked that you suggested asking for referrals from your family and friends to find a foundation contractor. This must be a helpful tip for my mother because I noticed that the basement of her house has signs of cracks when I visited her the other day. She wants to ensure that the damage won’t get worse for safety reasons, so your tips are helpful.
When it comes to Los Angeles foundation repair, there’s a lot to consider. Your advice on checking references, licenses, insurance, permits, and experience is spot on. It’s crucial for homeowners in SoCal to find a reliable contractor who understands seismic retrofitting and soft story reinforcement.
I especially appreciate your emphasis on warranties. Ensuring that the contractor stands by their work is essential for long-term peace of mind.
Thanks for sharing these valuable tips for anyone in need of Los Angeles foundation repair services. It’s clear that thorough research and careful consideration are key to finding the right contractor for the job.
I appreciate that you advised looking into the warranties provided by a company that has been in operation for some time. I’ve been discussing with my spouse who we plan to hire for our foundation. To make sure it is in excellent working order, it has to undergo some routine testing. I will look at the warranties they will provide to make sure I choose the proper person.
You got my attention when you said that you can find out the depth of the foundation contractor’s knowledge and experience when you ask about specific examples and experience. I will share this with my mother because she is looking to hire a reliable foundation repair contractor later this week. She noticed that there were cracks in the walls of her basement that looked like spreading quickly. Her goal is to ensure that she will only deal with a repair contractor who can complete the project right the first time, so your tips are helpful.