Common Causes of Foundation Problems in Ontario
Some frequent reasons why Ontario homeowners encounter foundation troubles include:
- Standing water: Standing water around your home can harm your foundation's integrity, especially when it collects in areas your drainage system doesn't protect.
- Improper modifications: Landscaping or roofing work that wasn't completed properly could result in your foundation settling.
- Aging plumbing: The average Ontario home construction year is 1975. If you live in an older home, it's likely to have cast-iron plumbing. When the pipes start to erode, leaking water could reach your foundation and even pool beneath it.
- Tree Roots: Tree roots can encroach on a home's foundation through crevices, and may exert pressure that results in your foundation breaking, pipes being damaged, and overall structural destabilization.
How to Choose the Best Foundation Repair Company
When choosing a foundation repair company, you should consider your personal priorities. Ask each contractor on your list about the following 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 how its team will draft plans and pull permits, how the company inspects foundations, and what local codes apply to your project.
Another way to determine a company's reputation is to look at its website. There, you can learn how long it's been in business and its trade qualifications. It might also share knowledge and insights through blog posts, podcasts, or videos.
Customer Reviews
Before committing to a company, review its online profile with the Better Business Bureau (BBB). You can examine both complaints and positive reviews. Negative feedback doesn't mean a contractor is unreliable. BBB reviews show how the company addressed complaints. It's a positive sign if the company has settled issues proactively and appropriately. You should steer clear of a company with many negative reviews, no licensure, and no communication regarding issues.
Foundation Repair Cost in Ontario
The price of foundation repair can vary substantially depending on the scale of the issues and what must be fixed. For minor foundation fracturing and settling concerns, you may pay as little as $1,800. However, if there is substantial damage, the normal cost is about $2,800. More involved projects requiring tunneling, helical piers, or major mudjacking could cost $6,800+. This table shows the average foundation repair costs for common issues.
| Common Foundation Repair Services | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Crack Repair | $335 |
| Leak Repair | $2,672 |
| Stabilization | $4,611 |
| Underpinning | $1,287 |
| Waterproofing | $2,949 |
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Frequently Asked Questions About Foundation Repair in Ontario
What will I pay to repair my foundation in Ontario?
When do I need to waterproof my foundation?
Note that there are two kinds of waterproofing. Interior waterproofing involves installing sump pumps and drains or using sealants around a crawlspace. Exterior waterproofing is generally less expensive. It involves installing exterior drains and establishing physical barriers between your foundation and yard.
How long does foundation repair usually take?
Are there telltale signs I should avoid a particular foundation company?
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)
