Common Causes of Foundation Problems in Port Charlotte
A home in Port Charlotte might experience foundation issues for numerous reasons. Some are unique to the local environment, while others are widespread nationwide. They include:
- Aging plumbing: While many Port Charlotte homes are fairly new, some still use cast-iron plumbing. When the pipes start eroding, leakage could reach your foundation and even pool beneath it.
- Improper modifications: Landscaping or roofing work that wasn't completed properly could result in your foundation settling.
- Soil composition: Soil with large sand or clay concentrations is highly expansive. In the heavy rainfall Port Charlotte receives, the soil absorbs moisture like a sponge, then releases it in dry seasons. The constant expansion and contraction stresses nearby foundations, even if the foundations stay dry.
- Standing water: Pooling water around your home can be a menace to your foundation's integrity, especially when it gathers in areas your drainage system doesn't protect.
- Tree Roots: Tree roots can enter a home's foundation through crevices, and may exert pressure that causes your foundation cracking, pipes leaking, and overall structural destabilization.
How to Choose the Best Foundation Repair Company
When choosing a foundation contractor, you should consider your personal priorities. Ask each provider 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 what local codes apply to your project, how its team will draft plans and pull permits, and how the company inspects foundations.
Contractor websites are excellent places to do your research. Typically, a company will discuss how long it's been in the industry. It might also upload other content to help interested parties.
Customer Reviews
When you're researching a company's credibility, go to its Better Business Bureau (BBB) profile. There, you can find its 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 handles them. If the management team consistently and proactively resolves issues, it's a good sign. However, if the company lacks accreditation, has more negative reviews, and doesn't communicate well, you should think twice about working with it.
Finally, we suggest you search additional sites, like Trustpilot and Google, for other reviews.
Foundation Repair Cost in Port Charlotte
Foundation repair costs can differ significantly based on the scale of the problems and what needs to be done to fix them. For minor foundation fracturing and settling issues, you may pay as little as $1,800. However, if there is significant damage, the average cost will be around $2,500. More involved jobs involving excavation, helical piers, or major concrete leveling could run you $6,700. See below the average foundation repair costs for common issues.
Common Foundation Repair Services | Average Cost |
---|---|
Crack Repair | $301 |
Leak Repair | $2,335 |
Stabilization | $3,986 |
Underpinning | $1,155 |
Waterproofing | $2,571 |
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Frequently Asked Questions About Foundation Repair in Port Charlotte
How much does foundation repair cost in Port Charlotte?
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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)