Questions to ask a foundation repair contractor
You do not need to become an engineer. You need to ask a handful of questions that a competent contractor can answer easily and a weak proposal cannot.
About the diagnosis
- What measurements did you take, and can I see them written down?
- How do you know this is settlement rather than shrinkage, framing movement or lateral pressure?
- Is the movement active right now, and what evidence shows that?
- What do you think caused it?
- What happens if the cause is not addressed?
A contractor who cannot show numbers is offering an opinion, not a diagnosis.
About the proposed repair
- Why this method rather than the alternatives?
- How did you arrive at this pier count and these locations?
- Is a lift included, and what is a realistic expectation?
- What could you find during the work that would change the price?
- Who does the work — employees or subcontractors?
About documentation and warranty
- What records will I receive when the job is done?
- Is installation torque recorded for each pier?
- What exactly does the warranty cover — the pier, the lift, further movement elsewhere?
- Is it transferable if I sell, and is there a fee?
- What voids it?
Ask for the warranty document itself rather than a description of it.
About the business
- Are you licensed and insured for this work in this jurisdiction, and can I see certificates?
- Are permits required, and who pulls them?
- Is an engineer involved, and are they independent of your company?
- Can you provide references for similar work in this area?
Signals worth pausing on
- A price that drops sharply if you sign today
- A diagnosis delivered without any measurements
- The same repair recommended regardless of symptom
- Refusal to put the scope, exclusions or warranty in writing
- Discouraging you from getting an independent opinion
- Large deposits demanded before any work is scheduled
Getting an independent opinion
A structural engineer who does not sell repairs has no stake in the outcome. On a significant project, the fee for an independent evaluation is small next to the cost of the wrong repair — and their report gives every contractor the same specification to bid against, which makes the quotes genuinely comparable.
This guide is general information about how foundation problems are usually assessed. It is not an engineering opinion on your property, and it does not replace an evaluation by a licensed professional where one is required.
Common questions
Should I get a structural engineer before or after quotes?
Before, if the project is large or the diagnosis is contested. An engineer's specification gives every contractor the same scope to price, which turns three unrelated proposals into three comparable ones.
How many quotes should I get?
Three is a sensible default. What matters more than the number is that each one explains its reasoning, so you can compare the thinking rather than only the totals.
Is a free inspection actually free?
Usually it is free in the sense that there is no invoice, and paid for in the sense that it is a sales visit. That is not inherently a problem, but it is why an independent opinion carries different weight than an assessment by the company hoping to do the work.
Tell us what your structure is doing.
Share the symptoms, the location on the property and the type of structure. We will tell you what we would look at next — and whether piers are even the right conversation.