Common Causes of Foundation Problems in Minnetonka
A few factors can lead to foundation issues. Here are the most widespread ones for Minnetonka residents:
- Improper modifications: Landscaping or roofing work that wasn't performed to standard could lead to your foundation settling.
- Topsoil Frost: When temperatures plunge, topsoil abruptly ices over and lower layers can't expand, forcing upper layers to heave and permanently damage infrastructure.
- Aging plumbing: The average Minnetonka home construction year is 1976. If you live in an older home, it's likely to have cast-iron plumbing. When the pipes start to erode, leaking water could reach your foundation and even pool beneath it.
- Tree Roots: Tree roots can enter a home's foundation through cracks, and may apply force that leads to your foundation cracking, pipes rupturing, and overall structural weakening.
How to Choose the Best Foundation Repair Company
Your home's foundation is crucial to its structural integrity, so it's important to work with a reliable foundation repair firm. Assess each provider using the following criteria:
Licensing and Experience
Minnesota foundation repair companies need both a residential building contractor and residential remodeler license from the Department of Labor and Industry. The former license lets a company work on new construction, while the latter allows it to modify and repair existing foundations. Business owners need to take 14 hours of continuing education to renew a license. If a contractor makes less than $15,000 from foundation work, they can apply for a Certificate of Exemption and do not need a license. Talk to staff to gain more insight into a company's experience. You should ask about local inspection processes, permit ordinances and building codes.
One of the most effective ways to evaluate a company's reputation is to visit its website. Look for the company's years in business and what credentials its team holds. Many top companies publish educational content for prospective customers.
Customer Reviews
We advise examining the company's Better Business Bureau (BBB) profile to find out whether it's accredited and has a good customer review score. You can check whether other homeowners have shared 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 proactively and consistently 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, including Trustpilot and Google, for more opinions.
Foundation Repair Cost in Minnetonka
The cost of foundation repair can differ significantly depending on the extent of the issues and what needs to be done to resolve them. For minor foundation fractures and settling issues, you may pay as little as $1,800. However, if there is considerable deterioration, the average cost will likely fall around $3,100. More complex jobs involving excavation, helical piers, or major mudjacking could cost $6,900 or more. Below are the average foundation repair costs for common issues.
Common Foundation Repair Services | Average Cost |
---|---|
Crack Repair | $360 |
Leak Repair | $2,913 |
Stabilization | $5,058 |
Underpinning | $1,381 |
Waterproofing | $3,220 |
Ready to Get a Quote on Your Foundation Repair Project?
Please enter a valid 5-digit zip code!
Frequently Asked Questions About Foundation Repair in Minnetonka
What will I pay to repair my foundation in Minnetonka?
What's the time to complete a typical foundation repair job?
Do Minnetonka foundation repair companies offer warranties or guarantees?
What are some "red flags" indicating a foundation company to avoid?
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)