Best 5 Foundation Repair Companies in Plainfield, NJ

Common Causes of Foundation Problems in Plainfield

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

• Aging plumbing: Plainfield has its fair share of older homes, with a median building year of 1952. Many of these properties use cast-iron plumbing. When the pipes start to erode, leaking water could reach your foundation and even pool beneath it.
• Standing water: Water accumulation around your home can be menacing to your foundation's integrity, especially when it collects in areas your gutters don't protect.
• Soil composition: Soil with large sand or clay concentrations is highly expansive. In the heavy rainfall Plainfield experiences, the soil absorbs moisture like a sponge, then releases it in dry seasons. The constant expansion and contraction stresses nearby foundations, even if the foundations stay dry.
• Improper modifications: Landscaping or roofing work that wasn't performed to standard could lead to your foundation settling.
• Tree Roots: Tree roots can encroach on a home's foundation through crevices, and may create stress that results in 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 top-notch foundation repair provider. Assess each contractor using the following criteria:

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.

Another way to measure a company's reputation is to examine its website. There, you can learn how long it's been in business and its trade credentials. It might also share knowledge and insights through blog posts, podcasts, or videos.

Customer Reviews

Before committing to a company, examine its online profile with the Better Business Bureau (BBB). You can examine both complaints and positive reviews. Complaints don't mean a contractor is unreliable. BBB reviews show how the company handled complaints. It's a positive sign if the company has resolved issues appropriately and proactively. You should avoid a company with numerous negative reviews, no certifications, and no communication regarding issues.

Foundation Repair Cost in Plainfield

The price of foundation repair can differ quite significantly depending on the scale of the issues and what's necessary 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 lands at about $2,700. More complex projects involving excavating, helical piers, or major mudjacking could cost upwards of $6,800. This table shows the average foundation repair costs for common issues.