Common Causes of Foundation Problems in Syracuse
A home in Syracuse might experience foundation issues for numerous reasons. Some are unique to the local environment, while others are prevalent nationwide. They include:
- Improper modifications: Landscaping or roofing work that wasn't completed to standard could lead to your foundation settling.
- Topsoil Frost: When temperatures plummet, topsoil abruptly ices over and lower layers can't expand, forcing upper layers to heave and permanently damage infrastructure.
- Standing water: Standing water around your home can be menacing to your foundation's integrity, especially when it collects in areas your gutters don't reach.
- Aging plumbing: Syracuse has its fair share of older homes, with a median building year of 1959. 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.
- Tree Roots: Tree roots can intrude into a home's foundation through crevices, and may exert pressure that results in your foundation cracking, pipes being damaged, and overall structural weakening.
How to Choose the Best Foundation Repair Company
When choosing a foundation company, you should consider your personal priorities. Ask each company 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 easiest ways to evaluate a company's reputation is to browse its website. Look for the company's history and the accreditations its team holds. Many top companies offer educational content for future customers.
Customer Reviews
We recommend checking the company's Better Business Bureau (BBB) profile to determine whether it's accredited and has a positive 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. Negative feedback doesn'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 proactively and appropriately. You should steer clear of a company with numerous negative reviews, no accreditation, and no communication regarding issues.
Foundation Repair Cost in Syracuse
The price of foundation repair can range widely depending on the extent of the issues and what's needed to resolve them. For minor foundation fracturing and settling concerns, you may pay as little as $1,800. However, if there is considerable deterioration, the typical cost lands at about $2,300. More complex projects involving tunneling, helical piers, or major mudjacking could cost upwards of $6,700. Below are the average foundation repair costs for common issues.
Common Foundation Repair Services | Average Cost |
---|---|
Crack Repair | $289 |
Leak Repair | $2,221 |
Stabilization | $3,776 |
Underpinning | $1,111 |
Waterproofing | $2,443 |
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Frequently Asked Questions About Foundation Repair in Syracuse
How much does foundation repair cost in Syracuse?
Can a foundation always be fixed?
Are there telltale signs I should avoid a particular foundation company?
Will foundation repair disrupt my daily routine while the work's being done?
That said, foundation repair crews operate industrial machinery, and you'll occasionally experience loud noises or vibrations. If either of these will disturb you, you might prefer to leave and return when the crew is finished.
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)