Best 5 Foundation Repair Companies in Lancaster, NY

Common Causes of Foundation Problems in Lancaster

Foundation issues have some possible causes. Here are the top ones for Lancaster residents:

• Topsoil Frost: When temperatures plummet, topsoil abruptly ices over and lower layers can't expand, pushing upper layers to heave and permanently damage infrastructure.
• Improper modifications: Landscaping or roofing work that wasn't completed to standard could lead to your foundation settling.
• Standing water: Standing water around your home can harm your foundation's integrity, especially when it gathers in areas your gutter system doesn't protect.
• Aging plumbing: The average Lancaster home construction year is 1968. 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 crevices, and may create stress that leads to your foundation breaking, pipes leaking, and overall structural deterioration.

How to Choose the Best Foundation Repair Company

When choosing a foundation contractor, you should consider your personal priorities. Ask each contractor on your list about the following qualities.

Licensing and Experience

New York's state government doesn't issue contracting licenses, but cities often choose to require them of foundation companies and other builders. For example, New York City requires foundation and excavating contractors to obtain a "Safety Registration Number" with a concrete work endorsement. They also need to register as a general contractor or home improvement contractor. You can also get a sense of a company's experience through the details its representatives share. Ask about its inspection methods, local building regulations, permit-pulling procedures, and fees.

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 leading companies provide educational content for prospective customers.

Customer Reviews

Before choosing 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 handled complaints. It's a positive sign if the company has fixed issues proactively and favorably. You should avoid a company with numerous negative reviews, no licensure, and no communication regarding issues.

Foundation Repair Cost in Lancaster

The price of your foundation repair project can differ quite significantly based on the extent of the issues and what must be fixed. For minor foundation fracturing and settling problems, you may pay as little as $1,900. However, if there is significant damage, the normal cost is about $3,200. More intricate projects requiring digging, helical piers, or major mudjacking could cost $7,000+. This table shows the average foundation repair costs for common issues.