Common Causes of Foundation Problems in Sunnyvale
A few common reasons why Sunnyvale homeowners encounter foundation problems include:
- Standing water: Water accumulation around your home can harm your foundation's integrity, especially when it gathers in areas your drainage system doesn't protect.
- Aging plumbing: The average Sunnyvale home construction year is 1976. If you live in an older home, it's likely to have 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 result in your foundation settling.
- Tree Roots: Tree roots can encroach on a home's foundation through cracks, and may apply force that causes your foundation cracking, pipes leaking, and overall structural deterioration.
How to Choose the Best Foundation Repair Company
When choosing a foundation contractor, you should consider your personal priorities. Ask each company 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 the company inspects foundations, how its team will draft plans and pull permits, and what local codes apply to your project.
Another way to evaluate a company's credibility is to examine its website. There, you can learn how long it's been in business and its trade accreditations. It might also share insights and knowledge through blog posts, podcasts, or videos.
Customer Reviews
Before signing a contract with a company, examine its online profile with the Better Business Bureau (BBB). You can examine both complaints and positive reviews. Complaints aren't necessarily a red flag in themselves. Instead, discover how a company manages 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 properly, you should think twice about working with it.
Lastly, we recommend you search different websites, including Trustpilot and Google, for other reviews.
Foundation Repair Cost in Sunnyvale
Foundation repair costs can range quite widely based on the degree of the problems and what needs to be done to fix them. For minor foundation fissuring and settling issues, you may pay as little as $1,900. However, if there is quite substantial destruction, the average cost will be around $3,300. More involved jobs involving digging, helical piers, or major concrete leveling could run you $7,000. This table shows the average foundation repair costs for common issues.
Common Foundation Repair Services | Average Cost |
---|---|
Crack Repair | $382 |
Leak Repair | $3,120 |
Stabilization | $5,443 |
Underpinning | $1,462 |
Waterproofing | $3,452 |
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Frequently Asked Questions About Foundation Repair in Sunnyvale
How much does foundation repair cost in Sunnyvale?
Can a foundation always be fixed?
What are some "red flags" indicating a foundation company to avoid?
Do I need to leave my home for foundation repair work?
That said, foundation repair crews operate heavy equipment, and you'll occasionally experience loud noises or vibrations. 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)