Common Causes of Foundation Problems in Gaithersburg
A few factors can lead to foundation issues. These are the most common ones for Gaithersburg residents:
- Standing water: Standing water around your home can harm your foundation's integrity, especially when it collects in areas your gutter system doesn't cover.
- Improper modifications: Landscaping or roofing work that wasn't completed to standard could lead to your foundation settling.
- Aging plumbing: While many Gaithersburg 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.
- Tree Roots: Tree roots can intrude into a home's foundation through crevices, and may exert pressure that results in your foundation cracking, pipes being damaged, and overall structural deterioration.
How to Choose the Best Foundation Repair Company
To pick a foundation repair business, you should determine what's most important to you. Use this list of qualities to help you go through the process.
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 its team will draft plans and pull permits, and how the company inspects foundations.
One of the best ways to evaluate a company's reputation is to explore its website. Look for how long the company has operated and the accreditations its team holds. Many prominent companies provide educational content for potential customers.
Customer Reviews
When you're researching a company's credibility, visit its Better Business Bureau (BBB) profile. There, you can find its "letter grade" rating and a list of customer reviews, both complaints and positive experiences. Remember that complaints don't necessarily mean a contractor is incompetent. BBB reviews also show how companies resolve complaints. A responsive team that works toward positive outcomes is a good one. Avoid a business if you don't see effective communication about problems.
Foundation Repair Cost in Gaithersburg
The price of your foundation repair project can range widely depending on the scale of the issues and what needs to be fixed. For minor foundation fracturing and settling concerns, you may pay as little as $1,800. However, if there is significant deterioration, the normal cost is about $2,700. More involved projects requiring tunneling, helical piers, or major mudjacking could cost $6,800+. This table shows the average foundation repair costs for common issues.
Common Foundation Repair Services | Average Cost |
---|---|
Crack Repair | $327 |
Leak Repair | $2,588 |
Stabilization | $4,456 |
Underpinning | $1,254 |
Waterproofing | $2,855 |
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Frequently Asked Questions About Foundation Repair in Gaithersburg
How much does foundation repair cost in Gaithersburg?
What are the different types of foundations in Gaithersburg?
Is foundation repair covered under my homeowners insurance?
Do Gaithersburg foundation repair companies offer warranties or guarantees?
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More Foundation Resources
National Foundation Repair Ranking Methodology
Sources
U.S. Census Bureau (American Communities Survey)