Common Causes of Foundation Problems in West Fargo
Foundation issues have several possible causes. Here are the most frequent ones for West Fargo residents:
- Topsoil Frost: When temperatures plummet, topsoil freezes rapidly and lower layers can't expand, forcing upper layers to heave and permanently damage infrastructure.
- Standing water: Water accumulation around your home can be a menace to your foundation, especially when it gathers in areas your gutter system doesn't reach.
- Aging plumbing: While many West Fargo homes are fairly new, some still use cast-iron plumbing. When the pipes start eroding, leaking water could reach your foundation and even pool beneath it.
- Improper modifications: Roofing or landscaping work that wasn't performed to standard could result in your foundation settling.
- Tree Roots: Tree roots can intrude into a home's foundation through crevices, and may create stress that causes your foundation breaking, pipes being damaged, and overall structural destabilization.
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
In North Dakota, foundation repair companies don't need a license to perform jobs under $4,000 in value. If a job exceeds the threshold, the owner must register business filings and proof of insurance with the Secretary of State's office. To further understand your contractor's experience, we recommend asking questions about how the company inspects foundations, what local codes apply to your project, and how its team will draft plans and pull permits.
Contractor websites are excellent places to do your research. Usually, a foundation company will mention how long it's been operating. It might also share blog posts to assist potential clients.
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 aren't necessarily a red flag in themselves. You want to discover how a company handles them. If the management team proactively and consistently 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.
Finally, we recommend you search different websites, like Trustpilot and Google, for more opinions.
Foundation Repair Cost in West Fargo
Foundation repair costs can range quite widely based on the degree of the problems and what needs to be done to fix them. For minor foundation fissuring and settling issues, you may pay as little as $1,800. However, if there is significant damage, the average cost will be around $2,800. More involved jobs involving excavation, helical piers, or extensive concrete leveling could run you $6,800. See below the average foundation repair costs for common issues.
Common Foundation Repair Services | Average Cost |
---|---|
Crack Repair | $338 |
Leak Repair | $2,696 |
Stabilization | $4,655 |
Underpinning | $1,296 |
Waterproofing | $2,976 |
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Frequently Asked Questions About Foundation Repair in West Fargo
How much does foundation repair cost in West Fargo?
How long does foundation repair usually take?
What preventive measures can I take to avoid foundation issues?
- Make sure your home's gutters and downspouts are in good condition and direct water away from your foundation to prevent water accumulation.
- Water the soil around your foundation consistently, especially during dry spells, to prevent expansion and shrinking.
- If possible, grade the soil around your home to slope away from your foundation, encouraging water drainage and minimizing the risk of foundation issues.
- Inspect your foundation for signs of damage, and repair any issues immediately.
Will foundation repair disrupt my daily routine while the work's being done?
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More Foundation Resources
National Foundation Repair Ranking Methodology
Sources
U.S. Census Bureau (American Communities Survey)