Common Causes of Foundation Problems in Melbourne
A few factors can lead to foundation issues. These are the most prevalent ones for Melbourne residents:
- Improper modifications: Landscaping or roofing work that wasn't done to standard could lead to your foundation settling.
- Aging plumbing: While many Melbourne 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.
- Soil composition: Soil with large sand or clay concentrations is highly expansive. In the heavy rainfall Melbourne receives, the soil soaks up moisture like a sponge, then releases it in dry seasons. The constant expansion and contraction presses against nearby foundations, even if the foundations keep dry.
- Standing water: Pooling water around your home can threaten your foundation's integrity, especially when it gathers in areas your drainage system doesn't reach.
- Tree Roots: Tree roots can enter a home's foundation through crevices, and may exert pressure that results in your foundation cracking, pipes rupturing, and overall structural weakening.
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
Florida's contractor licensing system is rather unique. The state's Department of Business and Professional Regulation issues "certified" contractor licenses in building, general contracting, and residential construction that foundation companies must earn. There are also "registered" licenses issued at a local level. To further understand your contractor's experience, we recommend asking questions about how the company inspects foundations, what local codes apply to your project, and how its team will draft plans and pull permits.
Contractor websites are some of the best places to do your research. Usually, a foundation company will discuss how long it's been in business. It might also publish blog posts to assist potential clients.
Customer Reviews
We recommend checking the company's Better Business Bureau (BBB) profile to find out whether it's accredited and has a high customer review score. You can check whether other homeowners have expressed satisfaction or filed complaints. Pay special attention to what customers say about company warranties. Complaints aren't necessarily a red flag in themselves. You want to discover how a company handles them. If the management team proactively and consistently resolves issues, it's a good sign. However, if the company lacks accreditation, shows more negative reviews than positive ones, and doesn't communicate well, you should think twice about working with it.
Lastly, we recommend you search additional sites, including Trustpilot and Google, for additional feedback.
Foundation Repair Cost in Melbourne
The cost of foundation repair can differ significantly depending on the scale of the issues and what needs to be done to address them. For minor foundation fractures and settling issues, you may pay as little as $1,800. However, if there is more significant deterioration, the average cost will likely fall around $2,600. More complex jobs involving digging, helical piers, or concrete leveling could cost $6,800 or more. This table shows the average foundation repair costs for common issues.
Common Foundation Repair Services | Average Cost |
---|---|
Crack Repair | $318 |
Leak Repair | $2,506 |
Stabilization | $4,304 |
Underpinning | $1,222 |
Waterproofing | $2,763 |
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Frequently Asked Questions About Foundation Repair in Melbourne
What will I pay to repair my foundation in Melbourne?
Can a foundation always be fixed?
Is foundation repair covered under my homeowners insurance?
Do Melbourne foundation repair companies offer warranties or guarantees?
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)