Common Causes of Foundation Problems in Palm Desert
Some frequent reasons why Palm Desert homeowners encounter foundation troubles include:
- Standing water: Standing water around your home can harm your foundation's integrity, especially when it gathers 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: While many Palm Desert homes are fairly new, some still use 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 enter a home's foundation through cracks, and may create stress that results in your foundation cracking, pipes being damaged, and overall structural deterioration.
How to Choose the Best Foundation Repair Company
Your home's structural integrity weighs heavily on its foundation. It's crucial to choose the top professionals possible. Center your research on these attributes:
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 the company inspects foundations, how its team will draft plans and pull permits, and what local codes apply to your project.
One of the easiest ways to assess a company's reputation is to explore its website. Look for how long the company has operated and the qualifications its team holds. Many leading companies provide educational content for future customers.
Customer Reviews
Before committing to a company, examine its online profile with the Better Business Bureau (BBB). You can examine both complaints and positive reviews. Complaints don't mean a contractor is unreliable. BBB reviews show how the company handled complaints. It's a positive sign if the company has fixed issues proactively and appropriately. You should steer clear of a company with more negative reviews, no credentials, and no communication regarding issues.
Foundation Repair Cost in Palm Desert
The price of foundation repair can range widely depending on the extent of the issues and what's required to resolve them. For minor foundation fissures and settling concerns, you may pay as little as $1,800. However, if there is considerable deterioration, the typical cost lands at about $2,600. More complex projects involving tunneling, helical piers, or major mudjacking could cost upwards of $6,800. This table shows the average foundation repair costs for common issues.
Common Foundation Repair Services | Average Cost |
---|---|
Crack Repair | $318 |
Leak Repair | $2,498 |
Stabilization | $4,289 |
Underpinning | $1,219 |
Waterproofing | $2,754 |
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Frequently Asked Questions About Foundation Repair in Palm Desert
What will I pay to repair my foundation in Palm Desert?
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 creating physical barriers between your foundation and lawn.
Will my homeowners insurance cover foundation repair?
Do I need to leave my home for foundation repair work?
That said, foundation repair crews use heavy equipment, and you'll occasionally experience loud noises or tremors. If either of these will disturb you, you might prefer to leave and return when the crew is finished.
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)