Best 5 Foundation Repair Companies in Owings Mills, MD

Common Causes of Foundation Problems in Owings Mills

Foundation issues have multiple possible causes. Here are the most prevalent ones for Owings Mills residents:

• Soil composition: Soil with large clay or sand concentrations is highly expansive. In the heavy rainfall Owings Mills gets, the soil soaks up moisture like a sponge, then releases it in dry seasons. The constant expansion and contraction stresses nearby foundations, even if the foundations keep dry.
• Topsoil Frost: When temperatures plummet, topsoil freezes rapidly and lower layers can't expand, pushing upper layers to heave and permanently damage infrastructure.
• Aging plumbing: While many Owings Mills 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.
• Standing water: Water accumulation around your home can be menacing to your foundation, especially when it gathers in areas your drainage system doesn't protect.

How to Choose the Best Foundation Repair Company

Your home's foundation is vital to its structural integrity, so it's important to work with a reliable foundation repair company. Evaluate each provider using the following criteria:

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 how its team will draft plans and pull permits, what local codes apply to your project, and how the company inspects foundations.

Contractor websites are some of the best places to do your research. Usually, a foundation company will discuss how long it's been in business. It might also share articles to help potential clients.

Customer Reviews

Before choosing a company, review its online profile with the Better Business Bureau (BBB). You can examine both positive reviews and complaints. Negative feedback doesn't mean a contractor is unreliable. BBB reviews show how the company addressed complaints. It's a positive sign if the company has resolved issues favorably and proactively. You should avoid a company with many negative reviews, no accreditation, and no communication regarding issues.

Foundation Repair Cost in Owings Mills

The cost of foundation repair can differ significantly depending on the scale of the issues and what needs to be done to address 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 $2,800. More complex jobs involving excavation, helical piers, or major mudjacking could cost $6,800 or more. See below the average foundation repair costs for common issues.