With foundation repair costs in the thousands of dollars, most homeowners have to find ways to finance the project. What can make the project even more cost-consuming is choosing the wrong company and dealing with a botched job.
As always, before plunging a large amount of money into any project, the homeowner needs to be comfortable with the work ahead and have a clear picture of what the scope of the repair will be.
Foundation repairs are sometimes complicated and experience in the field is of great importance, so choosing the right company for the repair is important. The homeowner should be sure they understand the warranty coverage offered by the company bidding for the repairs, including all the fine print. Always check references and previous jobs.
While selecting the company, homeowners should keep in mind that some of the more established foundation repairs companies will offer financing and allow the homeowner to spread the burden of what sometimes can be a very costly project. Home equity loans are sometimes a good option due to the low interest on the borrowed money.
Homeowners insurance policies most of the time do not cover foundations issues and foundation repairs unless those issue are caused by a sudden release of water due to a malfunctioning appliance, improperly installed or defective plumbing. Of course the homeowner should consult with their insurance company and the policy documents to see if the repairs are covered.
Often, homeowners may not think their foundation repair is of the upmost importance and may put off the project. This is a big mistake, and can actually increase the cost of repairs and reduce the property value. Therefore, homeowners need to consider the implications of short term cost, versus long term cost, keeping in mind that unfortunately, foundation problems will not go away or improve over time if left unaddressed.