Common Causes of Foundation Problems in Kettering
A few factors can lead to foundation issues. Here are the most widespread ones for Kettering residents:
- Improper modifications: Landscaping or roofing work that wasn't completed properly could lead to your foundation settling.
- Aging plumbing: Kettering has its fair share of older homes, with a median building year of 1958. Many of these properties use cast-iron plumbing. When the pipes start to erode, leakage could reach your foundation and even pool beneath it.
- Standing water: Water accumulation around your home can be menacing to your foundation, especially when it collects in areas your gutters don't cover.
- Tree Roots: Tree roots can enter a home's foundation through crevices, and may exert pressure that causes your foundation fracturing, pipes being damaged, and overall structural weakening.
How to Choose the Best Foundation Repair Company
Choosing a foundation provider doesn't have to be challenging. We encourage you to list what you desire most in a contractor, then evaluate each provider on your list against these characteristics.
Licensing and Experience
While Ohio doesn't regulate foundation repair companies at a state level, cities can choose to require licenses, exams, or continuing education. Contact the Kettering city hall, Greene County, or your regional building district for more information about what's necessary. You can also get a sense of a company's experience through what its representatives say. Inquire about its inspection processes, local building regulations, permit-pulling procedures, and fees.
Another way to gauge a company's credibility is to examine its website. There, you can learn how long it's been in business and its trade credentials. It might also share knowledge and insights through blog posts, podcasts, or videos.
Customer Reviews
We recommend looking into the company's Better Business Bureau (BBB) profile to see 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. Complaints don't mean a contractor is bad news. BBB reviews show how the company handled complaints. It's a good sign if the company has fixed issues appropriately and proactively. You should avoid a company with many negative reviews, no accreditation, and no communication regarding issues.
Foundation Repair Cost in Kettering
The cost of foundation repair can differ significantly depending on the scale of the issues and what needs to be done to fix them. For minor foundation cracking and settling issues, you may pay as little as $1,800. However, if there is considerable deterioration, the average cost will likely fall around $2,300. More complex jobs involving tunneling, helical piers, or concrete leveling could cost $6,700 or more. This table shows the average foundation repair costs for common issues.
Common Foundation Repair Services | Average Cost |
---|---|
Crack Repair | $290 |
Leak Repair | $2,233 |
Stabilization | $3,798 |
Underpinning | $1,115 |
Waterproofing | $2,457 |
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Frequently Asked Questions About Foundation Repair in Kettering
How much does foundation repair cost in Kettering?
Can a foundation always be fixed?
Are there telltale signs I should avoid a particular foundation company?
Do I need to leave my home for foundation repair work?
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More Foundation Resources
National Foundation Repair Ranking Methodology
Sources
U.S. Census Bureau (American Communities Survey)