Common Causes of Foundation Problems in Ankeny
A few common reasons why Ankeny homeowners encounter foundation woes include:
- Standing water: Standing water around your home can threaten your foundation's integrity, especially when it collects in areas your drainage system doesn't reach.
- Topsoil Frost: When temperatures plunge, topsoil abruptly ices over and lower layers can't expand, pushing upper layers to heave and permanently damage infrastructure.
- Improper modifications: Roofing or landscaping work that wasn't performed to standard could lead to your foundation settling.
- Aging plumbing: While many Ankeny 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.
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
If an Iowa foundation company makes more than $2,000 per year, it must register with the state's Division of Labor. Registration doesn't require exams or continuing education. All it proves is that a company holds insurance and pays state taxes. However, cities in the Hawkeye State might still require licenses or practical training for foundation companies. 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.
One of the best ways to assess a company's reputation is to go to its website. Look for how long the company has operated and the qualifications its team holds. Many top companies offer educational content for prospective customers.
Customer Reviews
We suggest examining the company's Better Business Bureau (BBB) profile to find out whether it's accredited and has a positive customer review score. You can see whether other homeowners have reported 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 consistently and proactively 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 avoid working with it.
Lastly, we encourage you to search additional sites, like Trustpilot and Google, for other reviews.
Foundation Repair Cost in Ankeny
The cost of foundation repair can differ significantly depending on the severity of the issues and what needs to be done to resolve them. For minor foundation fissures and settling issues, you may pay as little as $1,800. However, if there is considerable deterioration, the average cost will likely fall around $2,800. More complex jobs involving tunneling, helical piers, or concrete leveling could cost $6,800 or more. Below are the average foundation repair costs for common issues.
Common Foundation Repair Services | Average Cost |
---|---|
Crack Repair | $338 |
Leak Repair | $2,692 |
Stabilization | $4,648 |
Underpinning | $1,294 |
Waterproofing | $2,971 |
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Frequently Asked Questions About Foundation Repair in Ankeny
What will I pay to repair my foundation in Ankeny?
When would I need a foundation replacement, and when could I just get a repair?
Are there telltale signs I should avoid a particular foundation company?
Will foundation repair disrupt my daily routine while the work's being done?
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)