Best 5 Foundation Repair Companies in Charlottesville, VA

Common Causes of Foundation Problems in Charlottesville

A few typical reasons why Charlottesville homeowners suffer from foundation problems include:

• Soil composition: Soil with large clay or sand concentrations is highly expansive. In the heavy rainfall Charlottesville gets, the soil soaks up moisture like a sponge, then releases it in dry seasons. The constant expansion and contraction presses against nearby foundations, even if the foundations stay dry.
• Aging plumbing: While many Charlottesville homes are fairly new, some still use cast-iron plumbing. When the pipes start eroding, leakage could reach your foundation and even pool beneath it.
• Standing water: Standing water around your home can threaten your foundation's integrity, especially when it collects in areas your gutters don't protect.
• Tree Roots: Tree roots can enter a home's foundation through cracks, and may apply force that causes your foundation fracturing, pipes rupturing, and overall structural weakening.

How to Choose the Best Foundation Repair Company

To choose a foundation repair company, you should consider what's most important to you. Use this list of factors to help you navigate the process.

Licensing and Experience

The Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation issues licenses to foundation repair companies. The license a company has determines what work it can do and what size projects it can handle. You can also get a sense of a company's experience through what its representatives say. Ask about its inspection processes, local building regulations, permit-pulling procedures, and fees.

Another way to evaluate a company's reputation 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

When you're researching a company's reputation, check out its Better Business Bureau (BBB) profile. There, you can find its "letter grade" rating and a list of customer reviews, both complaints and positive experiences. Remember that complaints don't necessarily mean a contractor is unqualified. The BBB shows how companies resolve complaints. A responsive team that works toward positive outcomes is a good one. Avoid a company if you don't see effective communication about problems.

Foundation Repair Cost in Charlottesville

The price of your foundation repair project can range widely depending on the extent of the issues and what must be fixed. For minor foundation fracturing and settling problems, you may pay as little as $1,800. However, if there is significant damage, the average cost lands at about $3,000. More involved projects requiring excavating, helical piers, or major mudjacking could cost $6,900+. This table shows the average foundation repair costs for common issues.