Best 5 Foundation Repair Companies in Elizabeth, NJ

Common Causes of Foundation Problems in Elizabeth

A home in Elizabeth might experience foundation issues for numerous reasons. Some are unique to the local environment, while others are widespread nationwide. They include:

• Topsoil Frost: When temperatures plunge, topsoil abruptly ices over and lower layers can't expand, forcing upper layers to heave and permanently damage infrastructure.
• Standing water: Standing water around your home can be menacing to your foundation, especially when it gathers in areas your gutters don't cover.
• Soil composition: Soil with large sand or clay concentrations is highly expansive. In the heavy rainfall Elizabeth experiences, the soil soaks up moisture like a sponge, then releases it in dry seasons. The constant expansion and contraction presses against nearby foundations, even if the foundations stay dry.
• Aging plumbing: Elizabeth has its fair share of older homes, with a median building year of 1959. Many of these properties use cast-iron plumbing. When the pipes start eroding, 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 create stress that leads to your foundation cracking, pipes rupturing, and overall structural weakening.

How to Choose the Best Foundation Repair Company

Your home's integrity weighs heavily on its foundation. It's essential to select the top professionals possible. Focus your research on these qualities:

Licensing and Experience

New Jersey requires home improvement contractors, including foundation companies, to register with the state's Division of Consumer Affairs. They're also required to apply for a home repair contractor license with the Department of Banking and Insurance, which regulates the financial business of construction work. You can also get a sense of a company's experience through the details its representatives share. Ask about its inspection processes, local codes, permit-pulling procedures, and fees.

One of the simplest ways to assess a company's reputation is to explore its website. Look for the company's years in business and the qualifications its team holds. Many prominent companies provide educational content for future customers.

Customer Reviews

When you're researching a company's credibility, check out 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. Complaints aren't necessarily a red flag in themselves. Instead, 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 well, you should avoid working with it.

Lastly, we encourage you to search different websites, such as Trustpilot and Google, for other reviews.

Foundation Repair Cost in Elizabeth

The price of foundation repair can range widely depending on the degree of the issues and what's required to resolve them. For minor foundation cracking and settling issues, you may pay as little as $1,800. However, if there is significant damage, the normal cost falls at about $2,700. More complex projects involving tunneling, helical piers, or major mudjacking could cost upwards of $6,800. See below the average foundation repair costs for common issues.