Best 5 Foundation Repair Companies in Allentown, PA

Common Causes of Foundation Problems in Allentown

A home in Allentown might experience foundation issues for various reasons. Some are specific to the local environment, while others are common nationwide. They include:

• Soil composition: Soil with large clay or sand concentrations is highly expansive. In the heavy rainfall Allentown experiences, the soil absorbs moisture like a sponge, then releases it in dry seasons. The constant expansion and contraction puts pressure on nearby foundations, even if the foundations stay dry.
• Topsoil Frost: When temperatures plunge, topsoil freezes rapidly and lower layers can't expand, pushing upper layers to heave and permanently damage infrastructure.
• Improper modifications: Landscaping or roofing work that wasn't performed properly could lead to your foundation settling.
• Standing water: Water accumulation around your home can threaten your foundation, especially when it gathers in areas your drainage system doesn't cover.
• Tree Roots: Tree roots can intrude into a home's foundation through cracks, and may create stress that leads to your foundation breaking, pipes leaking, and overall structural weakening.

How to Choose the Best Foundation Repair Company

Your home's foundation is crucial to its structural integrity, so it's important to work with a top-notch foundation repair firm. Evaluate each contractor using the following criteria:

Licensing and Experience

According to the Pennsylvania Attorney General, foundation contractors must register with the commonwealth if they make between $5,000 and $50 million in annual revenue. Registration doesn't involve exams, but it does show a contractor meets bond, insurance, and background check requirements. You can also get a sense of a company's experience through the details its representatives share. Ask about its inspection methods, local code requirements, permit-pulling procedures, and fees.

One of the most effective ways to evaluate a company's reputation is to browse its website. Look for how long the company has operated and the accreditations its team holds. Many top companies offer educational content for prospective customers.

Customer Reviews

We suggest checking the company's Better Business Bureau (BBB) profile to determine whether it's accredited and has a good 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 unreliable. BBB reviews show how the company dealt with complaints. It's a good sign if the company has resolved issues proactively and favorably. You should steer clear of a company with numerous negative reviews, no licensure, and no communication regarding issues.

Foundation Repair Cost in Allentown

The price of foundation repair can differ quite significantly depending on the degree of the issues and what's required to resolve them. For minor foundation cracking and settling concerns, you may pay as little as $1,900. However, if there is substantial deterioration, the normal cost is about $3,800. More involved projects involving excavating, helical piers, or major mudjacking could cost upwards of $7,200. Below are the average foundation repair costs for common issues.