Common Causes of Foundation Problems in Billings
A few factors can contribute to foundation issues. Here are the most widespread ones for Billings residents:
- Aging plumbing: While many Billings 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.
- Topsoil Frost: When temperatures plunge, topsoil abruptly ices over and lower layers can't expand, forcing upper layers to heave and permanently damage infrastructure.
- Improper modifications: Landscaping or roofing work that wasn't performed to standard could lead to your foundation settling.
- Tree Roots: Tree roots can intrude into a home's foundation through crevices, and may create stress that causes your foundation breaking, pipes leaking, and overall structural destabilization.
How to Choose the Best Foundation Repair Company
To select a foundation repair company, you should consider what's most important to you. Use this list of attributes to help you go through the process.
Licensing and Experience
Montana's Employment Standards Division requires foundation companies to register every two years. Registration does not involve trade exams, but it does show that a contractor has the proper insurance and is prudent in legal matters. Cities and counties can still require contractors to apply for local licenses before performing foundation work. You can also get a sense of a company's experience through the details its representatives share. Ask about its inspection methods, local code requirements, permit-pulling procedures, and fees.
Another way to assess a company's credibility is to look at its website. There, you can learn how long it's been in business and its trade accreditations. It might also share knowledge and insights through blog posts, podcasts, or videos.
Customer Reviews
When you're researching a company's credibility, head to its Better Business Bureau (BBB) profile. There, you can find its rating and a list of customer reviews, both positive experiences and complaints. Negative feedback doesn't mean a contractor is bad news. BBB reviews show how the company dealt with complaints. It's a good sign if the company has fixed issues appropriately and proactively. You should stay away from a company with numerous negative reviews, no licensure, and no communication regarding issues.
Foundation Repair Cost in Billings
The price of foundation repair can range widely depending on the scale of the issues and what's needed to resolve them. For minor foundation fissures and settling concerns, you may pay as little as $1,800. However, if there is significant damage, the typical cost is about $2,400. More involved projects involving tunneling, helical piers, or major mudjacking could cost upwards of $6,700. See below the average foundation repair costs for common issues.
Common Foundation Repair Services | Average Cost |
---|---|
Crack Repair | $298 |
Leak Repair | $2,309 |
Stabilization | $3,938 |
Underpinning | $1,145 |
Waterproofing | $2,542 |
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Frequently Asked Questions About Foundation Repair in Billings
How much does foundation repair cost in Billings?
What's the most popular foundation type in Billings?
What are some signs I need foundation waterproofing?
Note that there are two kinds of waterproofing. Interior waterproofing involves installing drains and sump pumps or using sealants around a cellar. Exterior waterproofing is typically less expensive. It involves installing exterior drains and forming physical barriers between your foundation and yard.
Do Billings 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)