Finding a reliable foundation repair contractor is essential to ensure the safety and integrity of your home or property. Investing in foundation repairs is a significant undertaking, and selecting the right contractor can make all the difference.
This can however be made more challenging as the State of Texas does not license foundation repair. This has led to an influx of unreliable foundation contractors who promise fast, cheap repairs and offer huge discounts. With an increased risk of working with an unreliable foundation repair contractor, it’s vital to use reliable sources of information and ask the right questions before making a decision.
Here’s a guide on how to identify and choose a trustworthy foundation repair contractor, along with additional information on the Better Business Bureau (BBB), Angie’s List, and The Foundation Repair Association!
Better Business Bureau
When deciding on a foundation repair contractor, always be sure to check their history and reputation through reliable sources. The Better Business Bureau is a good source to check out the reliability of a contractor.
The BBB is a well-established organization that evaluates businesses based on their ethical practices and customer satisfaction. To simplify things the BBB provides a rating system, the highest of which is an A+. To determine the reliability of a foundation repair contractor through the BBB:
- Visit the BBB website and search for your local chapter, e.g., “BBB + [your city].”
- Look for the contractor’s rating, with an A+ being the highest.
- Examine the contractor’s history, including any complaints or disputes.
The Fort Worth and Dallas Better Business Bureaus are separate entities operating under one banner. To avoid confusion, only one BBB will provide a rating. This BBB covers the hometown of the contractor’s corporate headquarters. You can find the BBB that is closest to you through a simple Google search for “BBB + your city”. Once on the website, you can search by company and read up on their ratings.
Angie’s List
Angie’s List has become a popular, reliable source of information for foundation contractors. It’s a members-only platform that provides trusted reviews and ratings for various service providers, including foundation repair contractors.
Advertising in the Angie’s List magazine is done by invitation only which is extended to companies that have received favorable ratings by other Angie’s List members. For this reason, you know that the companies listed here are reputable and reliable.
But, to help you ensure you’re dealing with reputable companies consider the following:
- Join Angie’s List as a member (if not already).
- Search for foundation repair contractors and review their ratings and feedback.
- Trust that contractors listed on Angie’s List have earned favorable ratings from other members, indicating their reliability.
National Foundation Repair Association
In addition to making sure you the foundation repair contractor has high ratings in the BBB and Angie’s List, you should check The Foundation Repair Association website.
The NFRA is a professional national organization that exists to promote high ethical standards in the practice of foundation repair and to promote cooperation between the foundation repair industry and the government. If the company is listed on this website in its members’ section, there is a good chance that you are dealing with a professional and reliable company.
Member companies of the Foundation Repair Association must meet high ethical standards of business and advertising, For continuing membership the member company is reviewed annually and must remain in good standing in the industry. Requirements to be a member include:
- In active foundation repair business for a minimum of three years
- Satisfactory BBB report for the business.
- Satisfactory credit references from three major suppliers or a Dun & Bradstreet report with a satisfactory payment history.
- Minimum of at least $500,000 of General Liability Insurance, verified annually.
- Maintenance of worker’s compensation insurance or employee accident insurance, verified annually.
- Adherence to a Code of Ethics in advertising and business practices.
- Approval into the Association by a majority of the members.
Make Sure You Ask The Right Questions
After verifying that your foundation repair contractor is in good standing with these organizations it’s still important that you perform your due diligence. Choosing a foundation repair contractor is an important decision.
Investing in foundation repair is costly, so you want to make sure you hire someone who will do the job properly the first time. After verifying a contractor’s standing with these organizations, it’s crucial to go beyond and perform your due diligence:
- Request references from the contractor and contact past clients to gather feedback.
- Ask about the contractor’s experience and qualifications in foundation repair.
- Inquire about the specific repair methods they plan to use and why they recommend them.
- Get detailed written estimates and compare them to ensure transparency in pricing.
- Clarify warranties and guarantees for the repair work.
- Ensure all necessary permits and inspections will be handled by the contractor.
Our team at Granite Foundation has also prepared an additional list of questions to ask your foundation repair contractor so you can feel more confident when choosing your contractor.
Bottom Line
Choosing a foundation repair contractor is a significant decision that requires careful consideration. By using reputable sources like the BBB, Angie’s List, and the Foundation Repair Association, and by asking the right questions, you can make an informed choice. Remember that investing in a reliable foundation repair contractor is an investment in the long-term stability and safety of your home or property.
If you’re currently looking for a foundation repair company in the Dallas-Forth Worth area or the surrounding cities, we at Granite Foundation Repair would be happy to answer any of your questions.
At Granite Foundation Repair we’re committed to providing professional foundation repair services for homes in the Dallas-Forth Worth area. Contact us today to learn more about our services!