Common Causes of Foundation Problems in Madera
Foundation issues have multiple possible causes. Here are the most frequent ones for Madera residents:
- Drought conditions: Madera is susceptible to drought. The shortage of rainfall and changing humidity levels each season lead to ever-shifting soil. The resulting soil settlement can shift and break your foundation.
- Standing water: Standing water around your home can threaten your foundation's integrity, especially when it gathers in areas your gutter system doesn't reach.
- Aging plumbing: While many Madera homes are fairly new, some still use cast-iron plumbing. When the pipes start to erode, leakage could reach your foundation and even pool beneath it.
- Improper modifications: Roofing or landscaping work that wasn't completed properly could lead to your foundation settling.
- Tree Roots: Tree roots can encroach on a home's foundation through crevices, and may apply force that results in your foundation breaking, pipes being damaged, and overall structural weakening.
How to Choose the Best Foundation Repair Company
Choosing a foundation company doesn't have to be complicated. We encourage you to write down what you want most in a contractor, then evaluate each company on your selection against these qualities.
Licensing and Experience
The Golden State issues many different kinds of contracting licenses, and foundation companies often have more than one. You can verify a company's licensing information through the Contractors State License Board, a division of the California Department of Consumer Affairs. Look for a company with a General Building Contractor, General Engineering Contractor, C-8 Concrete, or C-61 Pile Driving credential. To further understand your contractor's experience, we recommend asking questions about what local codes apply to your project, how the company inspects foundations, and how its team will draft plans and pull permits.
One of the most effective ways to evaluate a company's reputation is to find its website. Look for how long the company has operated and the accreditations its team holds. Many well-known companies provide educational content for prospective customers.
Customer Reviews
When you're researching a company's credibility, check out its Better Business Bureau (BBB) profile. There, you can find its "letter grade" rating and a list of customer reviews, both positive experiences and complaints. Complaints aren't necessarily a red flag in themselves. You want to discover how a company responds to them. If the management team proactively and consistently resolves issues, it's a good sign. However, if the company lacks accreditation, has an abundance of negative feedback, and doesn't communicate well, you should think twice about working with it.
Finally, we suggest you search other platforms, including Trustpilot and Google, for more opinions.
Foundation Repair Cost in Madera
The price of foundation repair can differ quite significantly depending on the scale of the issues and what's required to resolve them. For minor foundation cracking and settling concerns, you may pay as little as $1,800. However, if there is substantial damage, the normal cost is about $2,500. More intricate projects involving tunneling, helical piers, or major mudjacking could cost upwards of $6,700. See below the average foundation repair costs for common issues.
Common Foundation Repair Services | Average Cost |
---|---|
Crack Repair | $304 |
Leak Repair | $2,371 |
Stabilization | $4,053 |
Underpinning | $1,169 |
Waterproofing | $2,611 |
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Frequently Asked Questions About Foundation Repair in Madera
What will I pay to repair my foundation in Madera?
Can a foundation always be fixed?
Will my homeowners insurance cover foundation repair?
Are there any warranties or guarantees provided with Madera foundation repair services?
To share feedback or ask a question about this article, send a note to our Reviews Team at reviewsteam@thisoldhousereviews.com.
More Foundation Resources
National Foundation Repair Ranking Methodology
Sources
U.S. Census Bureau (American Communities Survey)