Best 5 Foundation Repair Companies in Ellicott City, MD

Common Causes of Foundation Problems in Ellicott City

A few typical reasons why Ellicott City homeowners face foundation woes include:

• Aging plumbing: While many Ellicott City 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.
• Soil composition: Soil with large clay or sand concentrations is highly expansive. In the heavy rainfall Ellicott City receives, the soil absorbs moisture like a sponge, then releases it in dry seasons. The constant expansion and contraction puts pressure on nearby foundations, even if the foundations stay dry.
• Improper modifications: Landscaping or roofing work that wasn't completed properly could lead to your foundation settling.
• Tree Roots: Tree roots can encroach on a home's foundation through cracks, and may apply force that leads to your foundation fracturing, pipes leaking, and overall structural deterioration.

How to Choose the Best Foundation Repair Company

Your home's structural integrity depends greatly on its foundation. It's important to select the best team possible. Center your research on these attributes:

Licensing and Experience

In Maryland, the state Department of Labor licenses all foundation repair companies. There are strict requirements to get and keep a license. Business owners must have two years of industry experience, pass a trade exam, submit business filings and proof of insurance, and clear a financial audit. Subcontractors working your foundation job don't need a license if they're working for a licensed contractor. To further understand your contractor's experience, we recommend asking questions about what local codes apply to your project, how the company inspects foundations, and how its team will draft plans and pull permits.

Another way to evaluate a company's standing is to check its website. There, you can learn how long it's been in business and its trade credentials. It might also share knowledge and insights through blog posts, podcasts, or videos.

Customer Reviews

We suggest examining the company's Better Business Bureau (BBB) profile to see 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. Instead, discover how a company manages 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 think twice about working with it.

Finally, we encourage you to search other platforms, such as Trustpilot and Google, for additional feedback.

Foundation Repair Cost in Ellicott City

The cost of foundation repair can differ significantly depending on the scale 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 substantial deterioration, the average cost will likely fall around $2,900. More complex jobs involving tunneling, helical piers, or concrete leveling could cost $6,900 or more. See below the average foundation repair costs for common issues.