Common Causes of Foundation Problems in Staten Island
A home in Staten Island might experience foundation issues for a variety of reasons. Some are specific to the local environment, while others are prevalent nationwide. They include:
- Topsoil Frost: When temperatures plunge, topsoil freezes rapidly and lower layers can't expand, pushing upper layers to heave and permanently damage infrastructure.
- Soil composition: Soil with large clay or sand concentrations is highly expansive. In the heavy rainfall Staten Island 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 result in your foundation settling.
- Aging plumbing: The average Staten Island home construction year is 1969. If you live in an older home, it's likely to have cast-iron plumbing. When the pipes start eroding, leaking water could reach your foundation and even pool beneath it.
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. To further understand your contractor's experience, we recommend asking questions about how its team will draft plans and pull permits, what local codes apply to your project, and how the company inspects foundations.
One of the most effective ways to assess a company's reputation is to visit its website. Look for how long the company has operated and the accreditations its team holds. Many well-known companies offer educational content for potential 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 aren't necessarily a red flag in themselves. Instead, discover how a company responds to them. If the management team proactively and consistently resolves issues, it's a good sign. However, if the company lacks accreditation, shows more negative reviews than positive ones, and doesn't communicate properly, you should think twice about working with it.
Finally, we encourage you to search additional sites, like Trustpilot and Google, for additional feedback.
Foundation Repair Cost in Staten Island
The price of foundation repair can differ quite significantly based on the extent of the issues and what must be fixed. For minor foundation cracking and settling problems, you may pay as little as $1,900. However, if there is substantial damage, the typical cost is about $3,200. More intricate projects requiring excavating, helical piers, or major mudjacking could cost $7,000+. See below the average foundation repair costs for common issues.
Common Foundation Repair Services | Average Cost |
---|---|
Crack Repair | $374 |
Leak Repair | $3,041 |
Stabilization | $5,295 |
Underpinning | $1,431 |
Waterproofing | $3,363 |
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Frequently Asked Questions About Foundation Repair in Staten Island
How much does foundation repair cost in Staten Island?
What are the different types of foundations in Staten Island?
Do Staten Island foundation repair companies offer warranties or guarantees?
What are some "red flags" indicating a foundation company to avoid?
To share feedback or ask a question about this article, send a note to our Reviews Team at reviewsteam@thisoldhousereviews.com.
More Foundation Resources
National Foundation Repair Ranking Methodology
Sources
U.S. Census Bureau (American Communities Survey)