Groundworks Review (2024)
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Regardless of how well a structure is built, foundation problems can still arise. Flooding, leaking water, and sunken concrete are all serious issues that can manifest over time. Groundworks’ team members expertly repair foundations, waterproof basements, encapsulate crawl spaces, lift concrete, install gutters, and perform plumbing repairs for homes and businesses.
With numerous locations nationwide, Groundworks has earned a reputation as one of the fastest-growing foundation and water management service companies in the country. If you’re wondering whether Groundworks is the best choice to fix your home’s foundation issues, read more about its services, pricing, and availability.
Company Background
Matt Malone founded Groundworks in Virginia Beach, Virginia, in 1986. Groundworks is a privately held company that started small but has grown to launch offices in most areas of the country. Today, Groundworks has helped more than 1.5 million homeowners repair and maintain their foundations.
To give back to the communities in which it works, Groundworks has made large donations to Habitat for Humanity. This organization supports families who could not otherwise afford to buy a new home. The company has also made substantial donations to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, a nonprofit committed to helping the parents of children with cancer find affordable treatment.
What Services Does Groundworks Offer?
Foundation and basement floor cracks, wall or floor gaps, cracked chimneys, and bowed basement walls can all negatively impact the structural integrity of a home or commercial building. This can seriously threaten anyone who lives or works inside. Even minor foundation issues can impact a property’s safety rating and value.
As part of its professional home service offerings, Groundworks inspects homes and commercial buildings and creates individual, patented solutions to ensure safe, strong foundations. Groundworks specializes in foundation repairs, basement waterproofing services, crawl space repairs, and concrete lifting.
The following is a selection of some of the many services Groundwork offers.
- Foundation repair: Groundworks technicians can repair and reinforce foundations by installing patented wall supports, wall anchors, and beams. They can also add crawl space stabilizers, helical piers, push piers, or slab piers, depending on the best solution for the structure.
- Basement waterproofing: Technicians start by finding the root cause of water seepage in basements, then make necessary repairs to mitigate the problem. They’ll repair leaky water heaters and fix issues causing damp walls or efflorescence (crystalline deposits on walls or floors). They may also install egress windows if needed.
- Crawl space repair: Moisture in your home’s crawl space can cause floors to sag and walls to bow. Technicians assess crawlspace conditions such as humidity levels, mold, mildew, and condensation and make recommendations on how to achieve and maintain a dry crawl space. Solutions include fixing crawl space doors, installing water vapor barriers, or encapsulating the crawl space.
- Concrete lifting: Uneven concrete on the driveway, foundation cracks in the slab, or cracks in concrete around a swimming pool might all be problems that require concrete lifting. Problems such as these may require different solutions or concrete compositions, depending on if the cause is uneven settling, tree root invasion, or water pooling. Groundworks experts can assess the problem’s cause and devise a unique solution to lift and level the concrete surface so that it is safe.
What Warranty Does Groundworks Offer?
Groundworks offers an industry-leading warranty that is nationally backed by the company to give its customers peace of mind. This warranty protects against manufacturing defects and wear and tear and is transferable if you sell your home. This means that the new homeowner can take over the warranty and begin using it after you transfer ownership of your home.
Where Does Groundworks Have Locations?
Groundworks has more than 45 offices in 33 states. In all locations, technicians are required to be licensed and certified in their area of expertise in accordance with local and state laws. Services are available in most regions of the country, and the company continues to grow and expand into other areas. Even if there isn’t a Groundworks location in your state, a local team may be able to help—so don’t hesitate to reach out for a quote.
How Much Does Groundworks Cost?
Groundworks does not offer estimates online. Pricing is individualized based on your home’s issue and the tools and materials needed to complete the job. Explore some common price ranges for the services Groundworks offers using the table below.
Service | Average cost |
|---|---|
|
$2,000–$7,500 |
|
|
$3,000–$7,000* |
|
|
Crawl space repair |
$1,500–$15,000* |
*Cost data was sourced from HomeAdvisor and Fixr.
Be sure to get a quote for your specific job from multiple companies before you choose which one you want to work with, as pricing can vary between providers.
Groundworks Customer Reviews
The Better Business Bureau (BBB) gives Groundworks an A rating*. Customers who reported to the BBB gave Groundworks a 4.55 average star rating out of 5. There have been 497 complaints against Groundworks within the last three years, a relatively small number for such a large company. Groundworks’ team has closed 242 of those complaints in the last year.
Based on dozens of reviews we read for Groundworks, most customers reported a positive experience. Compliments focused on the professionalism of the team that visited each customer’s home, with many homeowners reporting efficiency and consideration. However, some customers claimed that communication issues caused unexpected delays, missed appointments, and frustration.
Below are some reviews posted on the BBB.
“The professionalism and quality of work from this 3-person crew (William, Earle, and Noah) was top notch. Glad that they were assigned to my crawlspace remediation work.”—Robert
“…They were polite, skilled, and did an excellent job. They kept me updated on the progress and answered all my questions which helped my anxiety with the work being done. Thank you.” —Heather
“…The only appointments that were actually kept by the company were sales-related. None of the work was done in a timely manner, and when appointments were made and missed, no apology or explanation was given…They seemed completely incapable of explaining why the work needed to be done other than claiming that they were experts and we weren’t.”—Joshua
“I would highly recommend not using this company. The salesman is very good but the work is not. You will have to [hire] more people to finish the job so plan alot more cost then what is quoted. They damaged walls, siding, & water lines which had to be fixed (they did fix this)…”—Lorraine
*BBB rating is accurate as of November 2024.
Our Conclusion
Groundworks is a full-service foundation repair company offering basement inspections and waterproofing services, crawl space repairs, concrete lifting, and more. All technicians are licensed, certified, and trained. Workers are also bonded and insured for the protection of the building owners.
Groundworks is experiencing a strong national growth rate with locations in more than 45 cities. The company gives back by donating to charities such as Habitat for Humanity and St. Jude’s. Online customer reviews are mostly strong, though some customers noted communication issues and less-than-satisfactory services. Get quotes from at least three competing service providers before locking in your rate.
FAQ About Groundworks
What are the three most common types of foundations?
The three most common types of foundations are full basement, crawl space, and concrete slab. A home’s design, climate, terrain, and budget all play a role in determining the best type of foundation for the new structure. Parcels that have a steeply sloping terrain or that are in locations where there is a high risk of hurricanes may be better suited for alternative foundations, such as elevated slabs or pier and beam foundations.
What does a groundwork contractor do?
Groundwork general contractors are construction specialists who prepare building sites before construction begins and make foundational repairs after construction. Groundwork contractors have expertise in assessing and stabilizing foundations for the building.
What are the most common mistakes people make when hiring a groundwork contractor?
One of the common mistakes people make when hiring a groundwork contractor is not ensuring that contractors are licensed, certified, bonded, and insured. A quote for the cost of foundation repair that is too high or too low could be a sign that a groundwork contractor does not comprehend the full scope of the work, so be sure to avoid the mistake of hiring solely based on price.
Our Rating Methodology
This Old House aims to provide objective, well-researched reviews of foundation repair companies through a transparent and detailed methodology. We rate each foundation repair company on a 100-point scale in order to back up our findings and recommendations. Learn more about our rating methodology below:
- Foundation Repair Services (20 Points): Does the company provide comprehensive foundation repair services from the following options: pier installation, soil nails, leaning chimney repairs, mudjacking, retaining/stabilizing walls, cracked brick or block repairs, new construction piers services, timber pile support, wall anchors, or carbon fiber reinforcement?
- Basement Waterproofing Services (12 Points): Does the company offer comprehensive basement waterproofing services, such as drainage system installation, sump pumps, basement dehumidifiers, vapor barriers (wall coverings), window wells, or emergency waterproofing services?
- Crawl Space Services (10 Points): Does the company provide comprehensive crawl space services including crawl space support jacks, crawl space encapsulation, dehumidifiers, vapor barriers, or insulation services?
- Concrete Services (8 Points): Does the company provide industry-standard concrete services for both slab foundation and concrete structures, such as new construction concrete services, sinking concrete slabs repairs, concrete leveling, or concrete caulking for cracks?
- Financing Options (18 Points): Does the company offer financing options that include desirable plans such as a reduced interest loan or same-as-cash option? Does it customize the payment plan for each customer?
- Warranty Options (15 Points): Does the company include or not include a transferable lifetime warranty? Does it only provide a manufacturer’s warranty?
- Additional Benefits (17 Points): Can customers expect additional benefits or resources from the company, such as commercial services, a blog, online videos, an online gallery, an online customer portal, or eco-friendly options?
To share feedback or ask a question about this article, send a note to our Reviews Team at reviews@thisoldhousereviews.com.