Common Causes of Foundation Problems in West Orange
Foundation issues have several possible causes. Here are the top ones for West Orange residents:
- Topsoil Frost: When temperatures plunge, topsoil freezes rapidly and lower layers can't expand, forcing upper layers to heave and permanently damage infrastructure.
- Soil composition: Soil with large sand or clay concentrations is highly expansive. In the heavy rainfall West Orange gets, the soil absorbs moisture like a sponge, then releases it in dry seasons. The constant expansion and contraction presses against nearby foundations, even if the foundations keep dry.
- Improper modifications: Landscaping or roofing work that wasn't performed to standard could lead to your foundation settling.
- Standing water: Pooling water around your home can be menacing to your foundation, especially when it collects in areas your drainage system doesn't protect.
- Tree Roots: Tree roots can intrude into a home's foundation through crevices, and may exert pressure that causes your foundation fracturing, pipes leaking, and overall structural weakening.
How to Choose the Best Foundation Repair Company
Your home's foundation is crucial to its stability, so it's important to work with a quality foundation repair firm. Assess each contractor using the following factors:
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. Talk to staff to gain further insight into a company's experience. You should ask about local inspection processes, permit ordinances and building codes.
One of the best ways to evaluate a company's reputation is to explore its website. Look for how long the company has operated and what credentials its team holds. Many well-known companies provide educational content for prospective customers.
Customer Reviews
We advise checking the company's Better Business Bureau (BBB) profile to find out whether it's accredited and has a high customer review score. You can check whether other homeowners have expressed satisfaction or filed complaints. Pay special attention to what customers say about company warranties. Complaints aren't necessarily a red flag in themselves. Instead, discover how a company handles them. If the management team consistently and proactively 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.
Lastly, we encourage you to search other platforms, including Trustpilot and Google, for more opinions.
Foundation Repair Cost in West Orange
The price of foundation repair can differ quite significantly depending on the extent of the issues and what's required to resolve them. For minor foundation fracturing and settling issues, you may pay as little as $1,800. However, if there is considerable deterioration, the typical cost is about $2,800. More complex projects involving tunneling, helical piers, or major mudjacking could cost upwards of $6,800. Below are the average foundation repair costs for common issues.
Common Foundation Repair Services | Average Cost |
---|---|
Crack Repair | $336 |
Leak Repair | $2,680 |
Stabilization | $4,626 |
Underpinning | $1,290 |
Waterproofing | $2,958 |
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Frequently Asked Questions About Foundation Repair in West Orange
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More Foundation Resources
National Foundation Repair Ranking Methodology
Sources
U.S. Census Bureau (American Communities Survey)