Common Causes of Foundation Problems in Fort Lee
Some typical reasons why Fort Lee homeowners experience foundation troubles include:
- Soil composition: Soil with large sand or clay concentrations is highly expansive. In the heavy rainfall Fort Lee gets, the soil soaks up moisture like a sponge, then releases it in dry seasons. The constant expansion and contraction puts pressure on nearby foundations, even if the foundations stay dry.
- Topsoil Frost: When temperatures plunge, topsoil abruptly ices over and lower layers can't expand, pushing upper layers to heave and permanently damage infrastructure.
- Standing water: Pooling water around your home can threaten your foundation's integrity, especially when it collects in areas your gutters don't reach.
- Aging plumbing: The average Fort Lee home construction year is 1969. 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 intrude into a home's foundation through cracks, and may apply force that results in your foundation cracking, pipes being damaged, and overall structural destabilization.
How to Choose the Best Foundation Repair Company
When choosing a foundation company, you should consider your personal priorities. Ask each contractor on your list about the following 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. To further understand your contractor's experience, we recommend asking questions about how its team will draft plans and pull permits, how the company inspects foundations, and what local codes apply to your project.
One of the best ways to assess a company's reputation is to browse its website. Look for the company's years in business and the qualifications its team holds. Many top companies offer educational content for future customers.
Customer Reviews
Before committing to a company, review its online profile with the Better Business Bureau (BBB). You can examine both complaints and positive reviews. Complaints don't mean a contractor is bad news. BBB reviews show how the company dealt with complaints. It's a positive sign if the company has resolved issues appropriately and proactively. You should avoid a company with more negative reviews, no certifications, and no communication regarding issues.
Foundation Repair Cost in Fort Lee
The price of your foundation repair project can range widely depending on the extent of the issues and what needs to be fixed. For minor foundation fissures and settling issues, you may pay as little as $1,800. However, if there is considerable deterioration, the typical cost is about $2,600. More involved projects requiring digging, helical piers, or major mudjacking could cost $6,800+. See below the average foundation repair costs for common issues.
Common Foundation Repair Services | Average Cost |
---|---|
Crack Repair | $317 |
Leak Repair | $2,496 |
Stabilization | $4,286 |
Underpinning | $1,218 |
Waterproofing | $2,752 |
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Frequently Asked Questions About Foundation Repair in Fort Lee
What will I pay to repair my foundation in Fort Lee?
Can a foundation always be fixed?
Is foundation repair covered under my homeowners insurance?
What are some "red flags" indicating a foundation company to avoid?
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More Foundation Resources
National Foundation Repair Ranking Methodology
Sources
U.S. Census Bureau (American Communities Survey)