Best 5 Foundation Repair Companies in Hagerstown, MD

Common Causes of Foundation Problems in Hagerstown

A few factors can lead to foundation issues. These are the most widespread ones for Hagerstown residents:

• Standing water: Standing water around your home can be a menace to your foundation, especially when it collects in areas your gutters don't reach.
• Aging plumbing: The average Hagerstown home construction year is 1974. If you live in an older home, it's likely to have cast-iron plumbing. When the pipes start eroding, leaking water could reach your foundation and even pool beneath it.
• Topsoil Frost: When temperatures plummet, topsoil freezes rapidly and lower layers can't expand, forcing upper layers to heave and permanently damage infrastructure.
• Improper modifications: Roofing or landscaping work that wasn't performed properly could result in your foundation settling.
• Tree Roots: Tree roots can intrude into a home's foundation through cracks, and may exert pressure that causes your foundation cracking, pipes leaking, and overall structural destabilization.

How to Choose the Best Foundation Repair Company

To select a foundation repair business, you should think about what's most important to you. Use this guide 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. Talk to team members to gain additional insight into a company's experience. You should ask about local inspection processes, building codes and permit ordinances.

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

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 unqualified. BBB reviews also show how companies resolve complaints. A proactive team that strives for positive outcomes is a good one. Don't work with a company if you don't see clear communication about problems.

Foundation Repair Cost in Hagerstown

The cost of foundation repair can differ significantly depending on the severity of the issues and what needs to be done to fix them. For minor foundation cracking and settling issues, you may pay as little as $1,800. However, if there is considerable deterioration, the average cost will likely fall around $2,100. More complex jobs involving digging, helical piers, or major mudjacking could cost $6,600 or more. This table shows the average foundation repair costs for common issues.